Cheat Sheet
OS X Mountain Lion All-in-One For Dummies
Mountain Lion power users have several handy tools for working on a Macintosh efficiently and keeping the operating system running in top shape. Mountain Lion offers the user a wide variety of keyboard shortcuts for the Finder and encourages a regular maintenance schedule to keep Mountain Lion running trouble-free.
OS X Mountain Lion Finder Keyboard Shortcuts
The Finder performs most of the important functions within OS X Mountain Lion, and the following shortcuts will help you get things done more efficiently.
| Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Command+A | Selects all items in the active window (icon view), all items in the column (column view), or all items in the list (cover flow view) |
| Command+C | Copies selected items |
| Command+D | Duplicates the selected item(s) |
| Command+E | Ejects the selected volume |
| Command+F | Displays the Find dialog |
| Command+H | Hides All Finder windows |
| Command+I | Shows info for selected item or items |
| Command+J | Shows the view options for the active window |
| Command+K | Displays the Connect to Server dialog |
| Command+L | Creates an alias for the selected item |
| Command+M | Minimizes the active window |
| Command+N | Opens a new Finder window |
| Command+O | Opens (or launches) the selected item |
| Command+R | Shows the original for selected alias |
| Command+T | Adds the selected item to the Sidebar |
| Command+V | Pastes items from the Clipboard |
| Command+W | Closes the active window |
| Command+X | Cuts the selected items |
| Command+Z | Undoes the last action (if possible) |
| Command+, | Displays Finder Preferences |
| Command+1 | Shows the active window in icon mode |
| Command+2 | Shows the active window in list mode |
| Command+3 | Shows the active window in column mode |
| Command+4 | Shows the active window in cover flow mode |
| Command+[ | Moves back to the previous Finder location |
| Command+] | Moves forward to the next Finder location |
| Command+Del | Moves selected items to the Trash |
| Command+Up Arrow | Show enclosing folder |
| Command+` | Cycles through windows |
| Command+? | Displays the OS X Help Viewer |
| Command+Shift+A | Takes you to your Applications folder |
| Command+Shift+C | Takes you to the top-level Computer location |
| Command+Shift+G | Takes you to a folder that you specify |
| Command+Shift+H | Takes you to your Home folder |
| Command+Shift+Q | Logs you out |
| Command+Shift+N | Creates a new untitled folder in the active window |
| Command+Shift+U | Takes you to your Utilities folder |
| Command+Shift+Del | Deletes the contents of the Trash |
| Command+Option+H | Hides all windows except the Finder's window(s) |
| Command+Option+N | Creates a new Smart Folder |
| Command+Option+T | Hides the Finder window toolbar and sidebar |
| Command+Option+Space | Opens the Spotlight window |
| Command+Space | Opens the Spotlight menu |
| Control+Up Arrow (or F3, depending on your keyboard model) | Displays the Mission Control screen |
| Control+Down Arrow (or Control+F3, depending on your keyboard model) | Shows all open windows for the current application using Mission Control |
| F11 (or Command+F3, depending on your keyboard model) | Hides all windows to display the Desktop using Mission Control |
| F12 (or F4, depending on your keyboard model) | Displays your Dashboard widgets |
| Space | Quick Look |
The Odd-Looking Keys on the Mac
If you’re new to the Mac and its keyboard, you will first want to get to know the modifier keys shown in the following chart.
OS X Mountain Lion Maintenance Checklist
You know you should back up your data, but some lesser known maintenance tasks also play vital roles in keeping your Mac running fast and smooth.
| Task | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Check for updates with Software Update | Automatic setting |
| Back up with Time Machine | Automatic |
| Defragment (Micromat TechTool Pro/Prosoft Engineering Drive Genius) | Once a month |
| Repair Disk Permissions (Disk Utility) | Once a week |
| Delete Unnecessary User Accounts (System Preferences) | As necessary |
| Scan for viruses (Intego VirusBarrier X6, ClamXav 2) | Automatic |
| Check all volumes for errors (Disk Utility/Micromat TechTool Pro) | Once a week |
| Check for the latest drivers for your hardware | Once a month (or after installing new hardware) |
| Delete temporary Internet cache files (Prosoft Engineering Drive Genius) | Once a month |
