Windows PC → Mac
Moving to a new device? What transfers on its own, what you'll move yourself, and Apple's steps as a checklist — every line quoted from Apple.
Apple's tool for this move: Migration Assistant
What transfers
| From your Windows PC | On your Mac |
|---|---|
| Email and email settings from Outlook and Windows Mail | Mail app |
| Contacts from People (Windows 10 or later), Outlook, and the Contacts folder in your home directory. | Contacts app |
| Appointments from Calendar (Windows 10 or later) and Outlook | Calendar app |
| Tasks from Outlook (if transferring to a Mac using macOS 13 or later) | Reminders app |
| Music | Music app |
| Podcasts | Podcasts app |
| Audiobooks | Books app |
| Movies and TV shows | TV app |
| Homepage and bookmarks from Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari | Safari |
| Documents and other files from your home directory | Home folder |
| Custom desktop pictures, language settings, and location settings. If the Mac is using macOS 13 or later, known Wi-Fi networks | System Settings |
What you move yourself
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Photos
Apple: “Photos, which you can then manually add to the Photos app on your Mac, or let Photos search your Mac for photos to import”
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Your Windows apps
Apple: “But you can still use many of the apps you already had on your Windows PC (like Microsoft Office). Check out the App Store to download your old favorites—or even to find something new.”
Your move, step by step
Each step quotes Apple. Tick them off as you go — ticks stay in this browser only.
of 9 done
Before you start
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Apple: “Make sure that Microsoft Windows is up to date for your PC and macOS is up to date for your Mac.”
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Apple: “If you installed antivirus software, firewall software, or VPN software on either computer, turn those off as well.”
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Apple: “Make sure that your Mac and PC are near each other and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.”
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Apple: “On your PC, download the appropriate Windows Migration Assistant, depending on which macOS your Mac is using:”
Osnivo tip The version depends on the Mac's macOS — Apple's page lists which one to pick.
During the transfer
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Apple: “When Migration Assistant (or the Mac setup assistant) asks how you want to transfer your information, select "From a Windows PC." Click Continue.”
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Apple: “If transferring an administrator account, you’re asked to click Set Password and enter a secure password. Remember this password. You will need it to log in to the account on your new Mac.”
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Apple: “Large transfers might need hours to complete, and might seem to pause occasionally.”
Afterwards
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Apple: “If you need to transfer information from another Windows user account, log in to that account on your PC, then repeat the steps in this article.”
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Apple: “Authorize your Mac for purchases with your Apple Account. It’s important to do this before you sync or play content downloaded from Apple.”
What it's called on a Mac
Apple's own equivalents, quoted.
File Explorer
Finder
“The Finder is like File Explorer.”
Control Panel
System Settings
“Looking for the Control Panel? Use System Settings (or System Preferences) instead.”
Recycle Bin
Trash
“Looking for the Recycle Bin? Use the Trash, which is in the Dock.”
Start menu
Dock
“On a Windows PC, you clicked Start to see your most used or recent apps. On a Mac, keep your favorite apps in the Dock at the bottom of the screen.”
Snipping Tool
Screenshot (Command-Shift-5)
“Loved the Snipping Tool on your Windows PC? Check out the Screenshot utility on Mac. Press Command + Shift + 5”
Control key shortcuts
Command key
“Exchange the Control key on Windows for the Command key for most keyboard shortcuts on Mac.”
Alt
Option
“You can often replace the Alt key on Windows with the Option key on Mac.”
Enter
Return
“The Return key on Mac functions just like the Enter key on your Windows PC.”
Control-Alt-Delete
Option-Command-Esc
“Or if you’re ever in a bind and looking for the Mac equivalent of Control-Alt-Delete, use Option-Command-Esc to force quit an app.”
Right-click
Secondary click / Control-click
“On your Mac, right-click is called secondary click or Control-click.”
Search
Spotlight (Command–Space bar)
“Use Spotlight to quickly find and open apps, documents, and other files.”
Backup
Time Machine
“Time Machine keeps a copy of all your files, and it remembers how your system looked on any given day.”
Preview a file
Quick Look (Space bar)
“Preview most files on your Mac using Quick Look. Click the file once to select it, then press Space bar.”