If you ’ve just got a new Mac , you ’ve obviously already started using it to surf the web . But before you get too far along , you should make a few simple pinch to your Mac ’s options to make it more well-situated and familiar , not to mention safer . Here are 10 quick configurations to change on a new Mac .
Automate your software updates
orchard apple tree roll out regular updates for macOS , so there ’s a good chance the Mac you just get was n’t bleed the latest version out of the box . If you have n’t update already , penetrate the Apple menu in the top leave and selectAbout This Mac . At the Overview windowpane , clickSoftware Update . To deploy the late update , clickUpgrade Now .
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To avoid having to manually check every clip , fall into place the box for “ mechanically keep my Mac up to date . ” When a new update is quick , a notification pop up on your screen telling you that updates are available and asking if you want them installed now or tonight . To further control the update preferences , click theAdvancedbutton and check the items you desire to run mechanically .
Adjust the Dock
The Dock is a ready to hand productivity tool that can be customized in all sorts of ways . When you started up your Mac , it was sate with Apple ’s apps , but they do n’t have to stay there . To murder an app from the Dock , right - sink in on it , and in the pop - up carte du jour , selectOptionsand then selectRemove from Dock . To sum a program , go to the Finder , then browse to the app ’s positioning , and just drop back the image to the Dock . If the app is currently go , you’re able to right - snap its picture in the Dock and selectKeep in Dock . To rearrange the order of the Dock ’s icons , flick and hold on the icon , and drag it to the desired location .
For more Dock tweaking , go to System Preferences and selectDock & Menu Bar . Here , you’re able to change the sizing , deform on magnification when you hover over an app , switch the Dock ’s locating from bottom to left wing or right-hand , and mechanically conceal or show the Dock as you move your shiner to or off from the bottom of the screen .
Customize the Menu Bar
Next , you could correct the menu bar at the very top of the covert . At the Dock & Menu Bar window in System Preferences , arrest the box forAutomatically hide and show the menu barif you want it to appear only when you move your computer mouse to the top of the projection screen .
Then , in the Dock & Menu Bar preference , clack each point in the left newspaper column , set off with Wi - Fi . For each one , select or deselect the boxwood forShow in Menu Bardepending on your preferences . For certain options such as Focus ( formerly Do Not Disturb ) , Screen Mirroring , and Display , settle whether they should always seem in the bar or only when participating .
If you have a new MacBook Pro , you’re able to even customise the mountain pass in the centre of the menu bar withone of the many utilitiesthat have already landed .
Configure Control Center
approachable from the menu ginmill , Control Center is limited in terms of customization , but you’re able to add together a few items to it . In the Dock & Menu Bar windowpane in System Preferences , scroll down in the left newspaper column to the Other Modules segment . Select the entries for Accessibility Shortcuts , Battery , and Fast User Switching and tally the box forShow in Control Centerif you require those setting in Control Center . Click the Control Center icon on the bill of fare bar to see the new summation .
Set up Hot Corners
you could trigger certain features by moving your mouse arrow to any of the four corner on the screen . At System Preferences , selectDesktop & Screen Saverand click onHot Corners . Choose each of the four active recession and cull the lineament you wish to plunge from among Screen Saver , Mission Control , Desktop , Quick Note , Lock Screen , and more . ClickOKand then move your computer mouse to any of the four corner to trigger each chosen feature .
Modify the mouse
To modify the behavior for a mouse , go to System Preferences and click the scene for Mouse . transfer the checkmark forScroll Direction : Naturalif you desire to move down on a sieve when you turn the curlicue wheel down and move up when you turn the wheel up . You also can change the tracking speed to determine how fast the pointer moves when you move the computer mouse , modify the scrolling speed , change the twofold - click fastness , and switch the primary shiner button between left and correct .
Tweak your trackpad
To pick off the trackpad on a MacBook or the Magic Trackpad on an iMac , click the organization predilection for Trackpad . The Point & Click check net ball you set the gestures for looking up a watchword , ferment with sure type of data , secondary detent , and beg to click . You also can master the clicking sensitivity and trailing speed as well as the forcefulness click and tactile feedback . The Scroll & Zoom lozenge lets you to deepen the scroll direction and determine if and how to zoom in and out and splay on the cover . And the More Gestures check put up way to activate certain features such as Notification Center , Mission Control , and Launchpad .
Save battery
On a MacBook , you ’ll want to manage the battery so you do n’t run out of juice at the wrong time . In System Preferences , tick the background forBatteryand then pick out theBatterycategory on the left field . To help oneself continue your electric battery charge , move the slider to work off the display after a sure amount of time . ensure the box forOptimize video cyclosis while on batteryto play high - definition videos in standard def when on electric battery power . Checking the option forOptimized battery chargingandLow power modealso will help keep your battery healthy . chatter the mount forScheduleif you need your Mac to automatically go to catch some Z’s , rouse up , or close down at specific times of the mean solar day .
Low Power Mode set while on battery power .
Beef up your password security
You want a strong password to protect your Mac but embark that password every metre it ’s required can be a hassle . To contain this , go to System Preferences and selectSecurity & Privacy . In the General yellow journalism , set the identification number of hours need after your Mac goes to slumber or turns on the covert saver before you have to enter your password . Even better , if you own an Apple Watch , check the option to use your scout to unlock apps and your Mac to reduce the motivation to figure your word .
Turn on FileVault
Finally , you may protect your Mac startup disk from unauthorized accession by encrypting your datum via FileVault . With this feature of speech enable , you must introduce your password each metre you start up your Mac . At theSecurity & Privacywindow in System Preferences , click the FileVault pill . cluck the lock at the bottom and enter your countersign . Click the clit forTurn on FileVault . Type your parole . Choose whether you want to practice your iCloud news report to unlock the disk or make a recovery key in the event you forget your word . ClickContinue . Your disk is then code .
Once you ’re done adjusting the setting , watch out these 10 things you should do first .
