Using Mission Control

OS X lets you use multiple desktops to make it feel like you have more than one display. With Mission Control, you can move apps and windows between desktops and easily navigate around. You can also make some apps full-screen, giving them their own virtual display. Learning how to use Mission Control can make working on a smaller MacBook screen much easier.

Comments: 12 Responses to “Using Mission Control”

    Stephen Suggs
    10 years ago

    I love using Mission Control. I've noticed, however, that after implementing Keychain in iCloud & then setting up screen lock, all the windows that i placed on my various Mission Control Desk tops before the screen locks, are back to one single desktop after I log back in. Is there any remedy for this?

    Ashley
    10 years ago

    Excellent - I'm new to Mac and this answered all of my questions and at the same time exposing new ground.

    I have a lot of videos to catch up on!

    - A

      ShammyD
      10 years ago

      Wow. This is maybe the most useful video you guys have done. I have a new MacBook Pro and this has completely changed how useful it is to me. I use a lot of photography apps, and I like to use them and Safari in full-screen. Now it's easy. Thanks a lot, Gary. I even forwarded it to some friends and family.

    Rice
    10 years ago

    No mention of hot corner for mission control. That is what i find to be the most convenient way to use it.

      ShammyD
      10 years ago

      I set it up to use F3 for mission control, that key is used for that function anyway, and has a picture on it. Likewise, I set F4 for the Launch app, and it matches the key also.

    Bob Joubert
    10 years ago

    Thanks Gary, very good. A variation that I use is to change the desktop background when I set up a new one - it helps me keep oriented. Control-click the desktop background/wallpaper and the Desktop & Screensaver window appears from Systems Preferences. Then choose an alternative.

    MikeM
    10 years ago

    Hi Gary,
    Great videos. I learn something every week. I can bring up MC using the Control up arrow but I am unable to switch between desktops using the Control left/right arrow keys. All the boxes in System Prefs are correctly marked. Any suggestions?

      10 years ago

      Could be some other software that is intercepting the commands. Hard to say.

    Jasper Robinson
    10 years ago

    I use an app called BetterSnapTool to augment Mission Control's features. You can use it to set up short cuts (&/or Hot Corners in the Menu bar and screen borders if you prefer) to snap windows into specific places on your screen. I usually get Mission control to keep the Finder window on all desktops (with one tab for the Desktop so I can see stuff I've dumped there), then have other desktops dedicated to two or three windows.

    David Gerety
    10 years ago

    Will added desktops automatically reopen after a restart or shutdown, so that I can have separate icons, screen shots, etc., on each desktop?

      David Gerety
      10 years ago

      I just answered my own question. Sadly, the desktops are identical; removing an item from one removes it from the other(s).

      What would be perfect is if they were truly distinct.

    Al Maloney
    10 years ago

    Very helpful intro.

    How does one move a file from one desktop to another?
    On Desktop1 I have a file xxx.pdf in folder "Dnlds".
    How do I move that file to folder "SMI" on Desktop3?

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