{"id":5414,"date":"2022-07-30T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alvarotrigo.com\/epa\/option-key-windows\/"},"modified":"2025-05-13T11:38:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T09:38:54","slug":"option-key-windows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alvarotrigo.com\/blog\/option-key-windows\/","title":{"rendered":"Mac and Windows Keyboards | List of Equivalent Keys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Switching from Mac to Windows (or vice versa) can feel like learning a new language, especially with confusing keyboard shortcuts. It may take you a while to find the \u201cOption\u201d key on a Windows keyboard<\/strong> that\u2019s similar to Mac\u2019s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this guide, we’ll list equivalent keys, explain the ins and outs of three special modifier keys (Option, Command, and Control), and show you how to reassign them if you prefer to work as you have always done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Equivalent Keys between Mac and Windows Keyboards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a table with equivalent keys between Mac and Windows keyboards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Window Key<\/strong><\/td>Mac Key<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Alt<\/td>Option \u2325<\/td><\/tr>
Ctrl<\/td>Command \u2318<\/td><\/tr>
Windows Key<\/td>Command \u2318<\/td><\/tr>
Back Space <\/td>Delete \u232b<\/td><\/tr>
Enter<\/td>Return \u23ce<\/td><\/tr>
Page Up<\/td>Command \u2318 + Up Arrow key<\/td><\/tr>
Page Down<\/td>Command \u2318 + Down Arrow key<\/td><\/tr>
Home<\/td>Command \u2318+ Left Arrow key<\/td><\/tr>
End<\/td>Command \u2318+ Right Arrow key<\/td><\/tr>
Scroll Lock<\/td>F14 More on Mac Scroll Lock<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Print Screen<\/td>Command \u2318 + Shift + 3<\/td><\/tr>
Selection Print Screen<\/td>Command \u2318 + Shift + 4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mac Special Keys on Windows Keyboards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some modifier keys on Mac, such as \u201cOption \u2325\u201d<\/strong>, \u201cCommand \u2318\u201d<\/strong>, and \u201cControl \u2303\u201d<\/strong> keys require extra attention, so we’ll explain them in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are Mac special keys on Windows keyboards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. The Option Key on Windows Keyboards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Where Is the Option Key on the Windows Keyboard?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Windows keyboard\u2019s \u201cAlt\u201d key is equivalent to the Mac\u2019s \u201cOption \u2325\u201d key. It\u2019s not strange or unheard of to find someone working on their Mac using a Windows keyboard. Long-term Mac users switching to a Windows keyboard can rely on the \u201cAlt\u201d key to perform the functions of the \u201cOption \u2325\u201d key on Mac keyboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Option<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Opt Button on Mac Keyboard <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cOption \u2325\u201d key is a handy modifier that, when combined with other keys, sends specific commands or completes shortcuts. It can also generate characters not shown on the keyboard, letting you do things that usually need a trackpad or mouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Usages For the Option \u2325 Key<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cOption \u2325\u201d or \u201cAlt\u201d keys on the Windows keyboard can be used to copy files, close all windows, add special characters, and navigate. Simply combine them with other keys to achieve your desired action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is a table of valuable commands with the option key:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Closing all Windows<\/td>Option \u2325 + Command \u2318 + W<\/td><\/tr>
Typing Symbols and Accent Marks<\/td>Option \u2325 + Other Key<\/td><\/tr>
Navigating<\/td>Option \u2325 + Left \/ Right arrow<\/td><\/tr>
Copying Files<\/td>Option \u2325 + Mouse Dragging<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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