Macbooks are different from Windows in many ways. Application management is one of the best examples of that. Users who have switched to iOS recently will find that it takes time to get adjusted.
The differences are subtle, but they are there regardless. And it should not be something that you face with worries. Ultimately, getting the hang of things only takes time, so the more you use the Macbook, the faster you will get the hang of things.
Of course, there are those users who are keen on becoming better as soon as they can. And for them, taking a more proactive approach is the best course of action. If you are interested in finding out all the basics about app management on Macs, continue reading this article.
Tip #1 – Installing and Uninstalling the Applications
You will not find an easier way to install an app other than by going to the official Apple store and downloading it from there. In other words, it is just like a smartphone.
Of course, the Mac store is not the only place that has available applications, nor does it have everything that some Macbook users may want or need. Thankfully, there are other sources that you can download the apps from.
However, it is worth mentioning that third-party websites are not recognized by Apple, so if you are going to download and install an application from there, make sure that it is safe and does not pose a threat to the computer. Scan it with an antivirus and read reviews from trustworthy sources in case you have some doubts.
As far as removing the apps goes, if you want to completely uninstall them, the whole process is rather simple. Some applications will have uninstallers. When that is the case, open the uninstaller and follow the instructions to get rid of the application.
On the other hand, most applications that you have will likely require another route – dragging the icon into the Trash Bin. However, when you put the icon there, make sure that you empty the Trash Bin.
Finally, keep in mind that old backups and caches will remain on the computer. A cleanup utility tool can take care of these junk files.
Tip #2 – Closing the Applications
Having multiple apps open at the same time is not the best course of action. Look at the Activity Monitor tool and see how many resources are being used. Freeing up memory and other resources will help to solve overheating and other various issues, especially if your Mac is pretty old.
So how do you close the apps? Well, an open application will have three circles at the top left. Hover with your mouse in case the circles are not visible.
Some apps, like antivirus or Mail, should run in the background because they are beneficial, and shutting them down could cause problems, like missing an important email or attracting unwanted malware.
Clicking on the red circle will minimize the app. If you want to close it completely, select an app and press Command + Q. As an alternative, there is an option to select an application in the Menu Bar and click on the Quit option.
Tip #3 – Organizing the Applications
App organization can be a tricky thing. Different people will have different preferences, but there should still be some basic things to take into consideration.
For starters, do not clutter your desktop with icons. That does not give the computer a good look, and these icons are consuming resources. Restarting the Mac might solve the problems for a bit, but files should be in the proper location in the first place.
You can customize the applications by organizing them in the Dock. It helps to know that there is a feature that allows you to simply drag the icon and make the applications accessible with just a click.
LaunchPad is another tool that gives users the freedom to manage applications and create a customized arrangement to one’s liking. The only difference is that LaunchPad also has the feature to create folders, giving you even more options to customize.
One may wonder why the app organization is even worth the trouble. Well, the fact of the matter is that you will have a much easier time navigating through the Mac. Even if there is a great search function that allows you to find everything immediately, keeping the files organized feels that much better than dealing with the chaos.
Tip #4 – Opening the Applications
Launching the apps is simple. You need to click on the icon and wait for the application to load. Like already mentioned, you can either use the Dock or the LaunchPad and run your applications from there.
Conclusion
To sum it all up, this simple article should be a good reference for people who are still relatively new to Macbooks and are looking to broaden their horizons. App management is an important part of keeping your Mac in a good state, so do not neglect this aspect.
