MacOS

Release History

Data retrieved from Apple on Sept 17, 2022¹⁾.

Release Name	Version
macOS Monterey	12.6
macOS Big Sur	11.7
macOS Catalina	10.15.7
macOS Mojave	10.14.6
macOS High Sierra	10.13.6
macOS Sierra	10.12.6

Notes

Why I still use MacOS 10.14 (Mojave):

I can still change the stupid BSOD icon used for SMB shares.
I can still hide major OS upgrades from Software Update.
The OS isn't locked down as an encrypted, read-only volume.
TotalFinder still works.

Customization

Software Update

Hide unwanted updates using the following:

sudo softwareupdate --ignore "macOS Catalina"

VSCode

Add "Open with VSCode" quick action to Finder

Utilities

MacOS lacks a lot of useful features that are easy to take for granted in Windows.

BetterTouchTool
Hyperswitch
TotalFinder

>> Go to this page.

BetterTouchTool

Download

This is a paid application to enable customizing the behavior of all your Apple input devices (remotes, keyboards, mice, touchpads, etc.) It's definitely worth the money for a lifetime license. Older versions that don't support current MacOS are also available for free from the software publisher that purchased BetterTouchTool from its original creator.

It adds some important capabilities:

Remapping the behavior of the green “zoom” button, so it maximizes the window, rather than switching to Apple's full screen mode.
Mapping three-finger taps and clicks to middle click, which is mega useful for opening webapges in new tabs.
Window snapping, which behaves like the Aero Snap feature built in to Windows since Windows 7.

If you don't care about the input device stuff, the window snapping feature is available as a free app from the publisher.

>> Go to this page.

Hyperswitch

Download

This allows Cmd+Tab to behave like Window Alt+Tab, meaning you can switch between open windows as opposed to open applications. This particular behavior of the OS X and MacOS app switcher has never made sense to me, and I've always used third-party applications to fix it. Hyperswitch complains about being an expired trial every time it launches (i.e. when you reboot), but if you let it check for updates, it will let you use it anyway.

There is another option called Alt+Tab, but this app behaved oddly in Mojave when using TotalFinder, whereas Hyperswitch handles TotalFinder windows without issue.

Articles in this section

BetterTouchToolplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigBetterTouchTool

Official websiteOfficial download This is a paid application to enable customizing the behavior of all your Apple input devices (remotes, keyboards, mice, touchpads, etc.) It's definitely worth the money for a lifetime license. Older versions that don't support current
Hyperswitchplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigHyperswitch

Official websiteOfficial download[A Better Geek mirror] This allows Cmd+Tab to behave like Window Alt+Tab, meaning you can switch between open windows as opposed to open applications. This particular behavior of the OS X and MacOS app switcher has never made sense to me, and I've always used third-party applications to fix it. Hyperswitch complains about being an expired trial every time it launches (i.e. when you reboot), but if you let it check for updates, it will let you use it a…
TotalFinderplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigTotalFinder

TotalFinder is a Finder extension that adds some very nice features to the Finder. Apple finally introduced tabs, but they're kludgy and fat. TotalFinder slims down the Finder chrome so it's not so bulky, along with adding features like context menu file cut/copy/paste and dual pane mode, which is

¹⁾

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201260

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