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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

Utilities

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

  • BetterTouchTool
  • Hyperswitch
  • TotalFinder

BetterTouchTool

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.

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 macos index
  • 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

Articles in this section

  • MacOS 10.14 (Mojave)plugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMacOS 10.14 (Mojave)

    This is the last version of MacOS I use on compatible Macs.

    Articles in this section macos index