Mission Control (macOS)

Mission-Control-Icon

Mission Control is a desktop environment feature of macOS, the operating system developed by Apple Inc.. It was introduced in Mac OS X Lion (version 10.7) and serves as a unified interface for managing open applications, virtual desktops, and other window management tasks.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Mission Control combines features from several previous macOS utilities, including Exposé (macOS), Spaces (macOS), and Dashboard (macOS). It provides a comprehensive view of all open windows, full-screen applications, and desktops, allowing users to quickly navigate and organize their workspace.

Features[edit | edit source]

Exposé[edit | edit source]

Exposé, originally introduced in Mac OS X Panther (version 10.3), allows users to see all open windows at a glance. In Mission Control, this feature is integrated to display all windows in a clear, organized manner.

Spaces[edit | edit source]

Spaces, introduced in Mac OS X Leopard (version 10.5), allows users to create multiple virtual desktops. Mission Control enhances this feature by providing an easy way to create, delete, and switch between these desktops.

Dashboard[edit | edit source]

Dashboard, introduced in Mac OS X Tiger (version 10.4), was a separate space for widgets. In Mission Control, Dashboard can be accessed as a separate space or integrated into the desktop environment.

Full-Screen Applications[edit | edit source]

Mission Control supports full-screen applications, allowing users to run apps in full-screen mode and switch between them seamlessly. This feature is particularly useful for maximizing screen real estate on smaller displays.

Usage[edit | edit source]

To access Mission Control, users can:

Swipe up with three or four fingers on a trackpad.
Press the Mission Control key (usually F3) on a Mac keyboard.
Use a Hot Corner to activate Mission Control.
Use the Launchpad or Spotlight (software) to search for and open Mission Control.

Customization[edit | edit source]

Users can customize Mission Control settings in the System Preferences under the "Mission Control" pane. Options include:

Enabling or disabling Dashboard.
Configuring Hot Corners.
Adjusting the behavior of Spaces and full-screen applications.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

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