Mission Control (macOS)

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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

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

Exposé

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

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

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

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

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

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

• macOS
• Apple Inc.
• Exposé (macOS)
• Spaces (macOS)
• Dashboard (macOS)
• Mac OS X Lion
• Trackpad
• System Preferences

See Also

• Window management
• Desktop environment
• Virtual desktop