Best features of macOS in Windows

Mauricio B. Holguin9 appsUpdated Mar 26, 2018

As Windows users, sometimes we miss some basic native macOS features. Here are some alternatives to improve your OS with those features that makes you jealous!

FastPictureViewer Codec Pack
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The FastPictureViewer Codec Pack is a one-stop shop that enables support for 44 additional image formats in Windows Explorer, Windows Photo Gallery, Windows Photo Viewer, Windows Live™ Photo Gallery and, on Windows 7, also within Windows Media Center and Windows Media Player 12...
Cost / License
Paid
Proprietary
Platforms
Windows
Mauricio B. Holguin’s note
One of the things that I still don't like at all about Windows is definitely the poor and small amount of supported thumbnail formats, compared to macOS. It's not a secret to anyone that macOS has an incredible advantage when it comes to a friendly environment for designers. And as one, FastPictureViewer Codec Pack is an essential tool in my work, and I don't know how I could live without it before. It extend the compatibility of the thumbnails to other new formats such as PSD, Ai, PDF and many more.

Just to keep in mind, this is an extra feature of FastPictureViewer, which is full image viewer for Windows, but I personally only use this codec.
Image Resizer for Windows
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Image Resizer for Windows is a utility that lets you resize one or more selected image files directly from Windows Explorer by right-clicking.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Platforms
Windows
Windows Explorer
Switcher
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One of my favorite features in Mac OS is Expose, a built-in app that makes it easy to navigate through open windows and programs. In Windows Vista, the built-in Aero application switcher tries to approximate this function but doesnt do a good job.
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application type
Window Manager
Platforms
Windows
+3
Screenpresso
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Capture full-screen, window, or region screenshots with built-in editing for cropping, resizing, arrows, text, and effects. Integrates with online services.
Cost / License
Freemium
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Screenshot Capture Tool
Screen Recorder
Platforms
Windows
+2
Mauricio B. Holguin’s note
For screenshots, windows has the Snipping Tool by default, and although many people are fine with this, for me it doesn't compare with the macOS feature, not even with the windows 10 improvements. There are many popular options of screenshots apps for windows like Lightshot or Greenshot, but my chosen one is undoubtedly Screenpresso. Apart from the captures, it allows you to record videos, upload directly to Imgur (or other cloud services), panoramic captures, dropper, and much more. Just give it a try and the macOS screenshots feature will look like a children's game.
Wox Launcher
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Wox is an open-source launcher for macOS, Linux, and Windows. It keeps local search, keyboard-first actions, and an extensible plugin system in one focused input.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Application Launcher
File Search Utility
Platforms
Mac
Windows
Linux
Homebrew
+2
Mauricio B. Holguin’s note
If you miss Spotlight in Windows, you have several options to replace it. Yes, Cortana can help you but it definitely doesn't compare to Alfred (only for macOS) or Keypirinha. For UI and speed, I personally stay with Wox Launcher, and I recommend you do it too.
AutoHotkey
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An open-source Windows scripting language enabling task automation through hotkeys, macros, and keystrokes, useful for creating custom forms and automating data entry.
Cost / License
Free
Open Source
Application typeApplication types
Task Automation App
Text Expander
Platforms
Windows
+1
Clover
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Wings for your Windows Explorer!

Clover is an extension of the Windows Explorer, to add multi-tab functionality similar to Google Chrome browser. After Clover is installed, you will be able to open multiple folders in tabs within the same window, and you can also be able to add.
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application type
File Manager
Platforms
Windows
Windows Explorer
+4
Mauricio B. Holguin’s note
And here's the thing I like least about Windows: Where the hell are the tabs for the File Explorer ? 2017 and still nothing. Clover adds this essencial feature, changing the way you interact with your pc, for real. At the moment, I would say it's the best option we have, with its developer updating it from time to time.
RocketDock
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RocketDock is a Mac OS X dock clone. It provides a nice clean interface to drop shortcuts on for easy access and organization. With each item completely customizable there is no end to what you can add and launch from the dock.
Cost / License
Free
Proprietary
Application typeApplication types
Application Launcher
Desktop Customization Tool
Platforms
Windows
+1
Seer Pro
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This is a quick look tool for Windows. Acts just like the one in OS X , but Seer is more powerful and faster.
Cost / License
Paid
Proprietary
Application type
Image Viewer
Platforms
Windows
+5
Mauricio B. Holguin’s note
Seer is just magnificent. To be honest it's probably my favorite application from the list. It gives you the opportunity to have of "QuickLook" from macOS on Windows. Visualize your files with the space bar without even opening it, and best of all: It supports lots of unsupported formats in windows preview thumbnails by default, like .PSD, .Ai, .GIF and so on (Visualize photos and files, folders, play videos and open word, excel and powerpoint documents, etc). Its clean interface and speed will make it impossible to leave it! There's other alternatives quite recommended too such as QuickLook, Give it a try!