You are right, when the keyboard has a DEL button, CTRL-ALT-DEL works on a MAC. However, on notebooks and some smaller MAC keyboards (like the wireless keyboard), there is no DEL key. For example, I have a macbook air without the DEL key. If you’ve recently switched to Mac from Windows, you’ll no doubt have wondered if there’s a Ctrl-Alt-Del equivalent for Mac. The command brings up a menu that is used on Windows to terminate a program/task, or reboot a system. How to: CTRL ALT DEL on a Mac. Mac OS is by no means perfect; sure it’s a lot better than Windows Operating Systems, but there are still times where you may get a stuck process or program that needs to be terminated. If you want to quickly kill the most forefront application then press Command-option-shift-escape. Apple OS will do this without any confirmation prompt.
Aug 27,2019 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
If you own a Windows computer, then you must be familiar with the ctrl+alt+delete menu, it is your quick getaway to a handful of useful utilities. This has been a fixed feature throughout the many versions of Windows, besides offering access to certain key elements of the operating system, this is the first thing you do when your computer is not responding the way it should, or worse yet when it does not respond at all.
The fact that Microsoft enthusiasts have to resort to this keyboard combination to force their computers to work has been a matter of laughter among Mac users for decades. However, the truth of the matter is that more often than you care to admit your shiny new iMac or your unibody MacBook Pro does not run as smoothly as it should.
Part 1. What Is Control Alt Delete on a Mac?
As previously stated, using the command ctrl+alt+del opens up a menu containing the following options Lock, Switch User, Sing Out, and the famous Task Manager. Additionally, at the bottom-right corner of the screen three useful shortcuts pop-up, Network Settings, Ease of Access Utilities, and the Power Options. Now, on Mac, there is not a keyboard combination containing all of these options under one place.
![Ctrl alt delete on mac keyboard Ctrl alt delete on mac keyboard](/uploads/1/3/4/0/134054867/429168809.png)
Actually, there are multiple combinations to access different quick menus for all sorts of purposes which you will find all about it down below, and you'll finally learn what is control alt delete on a mac.
Believe it or not, dealing with a frozen app and opening the activity monitor mac are two different sets of commands displaying two very different pop-up windows. If you want to quit an app, then the simple Cmd+Q should be enough. But if the program is frozen and not responding, then you need to use the Cmd+Option+Esc command and the Force Quit Applications window pops-up.
This option is the equivalent of the 'End Process' of the Windows Task Manager. However, this window does not give you access to the Activity Monitor.
To gain access to the Mac Activity Monitor shortcut, and be able to see all the currently running processes, the easiest way to go about it is through Spotlight, the command for that is Cmd+Space, type-in 'Activity Monitor' and then hit Return to launch it.
Part 2. When to Control Alt Delete on Mac
One common situation all Mac users believe is that just because they are working on a brand new iMac or MacBook, it will never fail them in the same way a Windows computer tends to do when there are too many processes running at the same time.
Is kraft mac and cheese bad for you. Practically since the first Windows operating system came out, users became familiar with the Task Manager. They quickly became accustomed to the multiple options they have access to by simply stroking a few keys together.
All of this goes to show you that users of that particular OS know exactly when it is time to use the Task Manager. But what about Mac users? When can you know the time has come to open activity monitor mac? Well, on Windows the Task Manager has a complete set of options, for reasons unknown, on Mac OS the Activity Monitor and other features have been separated. On the one hand, you have the For Quit App, and on the other the actual Activity Monitor.
The below is a list of all the situations that might require you to control alt del on mac and see what is happening under the hood.
- Slowish Behavior: If you notice your computer is not working as fast as it should, then you may want to access the Activity Monitor and see what is happening. You will see all the running process and monitored the CPU load.
- Frozen Apps: If the app you are currently working on is not responding anymore and it is causing your computer to malfunction, you can close it quickly by tapping into the Force Quit App.
- Problems with your Account or Power Configuration: Windows users have quick access to their account and power configuration via the control+alt+del shortcut. Mac users will find most of these options in the Apple Menu on the top left corner.
- Problems with Network and Accessibility options: If you want to change your Accessibility configuration, go to System Preferences, the same goes for Network options, you will find both under System Preferences, no keyboard shortcut.
Related: Find Word application is not responding? Go to fix 'Mac Word Keeps Crashing'.
Part 3. How to Control Alt Delete on Mac?
Whenever you encounter a rogue app on Windows which is causing havoc, you simply type control+alt+delete and shut it down. However, as mentioned before, there is no control alt Del on mac, there is, however, cmd+option+esc, read the steps down below to understand how to use this shortcut.
Command - Option - Escape
- Press and hold the keys Cmd+Option+Esc to bring up the Force Quit Applications windows.
- Then you have to select the program you want to force quit.
- As an alternative, just click on the Apple Menu, and then click on the Force Quit Finder.
Control - Shift - Eject/Power
If you work on an open workspace, or you have to share your computer with a family member or a co-worker, locking your screen while you stepped out is important to prevent anyone snooping on your computer. If you want to know how to do it, read the step below.
- If you want to lock your screen and go back to the Log-in window, all you have to do is press Ctrl+Shift+Power or Ctrl+Shift+Eject in case your mac has an optical drive.
Use the Dock on Mac
Some users find it more efficient to use the Dock to force quit applications, it is one of the simplest methods listed in here as you can see, and all you need is a couple of key strokes and a click.
- You can also use the Dock to force shut rogue apps, all you have to do is hold down Control+Option, and then click on an app and you will see the Force Quit option.
Access the Apple Menu
Alt Ctrl Delete On Macbook
The Apple Menu at the top left corner of the screen is the place where you can find all the features, and as such, you can also force quit applications from there as well.
- If you aren't too keen on using keyboard shortcuts to solve your problems, you can always access everything you've seen so far by clicking the Apple logo on the top left corner of the screen.
Open the Activity Monitor
The activity monitor is the equivalent to Window's task manager. In here, you can view all the running processes and apps currently working on your computer. And just like its Windows counterpart, you can also force quit applications from there. Read the step below carefully to know exactly how to do it.
- Finally, the pièce de résistance, opening the Activity Monitor.
Conclusion
On a final note, no one wants to go through the terrible ordeal of Word documents missing from their computers or dealing with a crashing app that does not let you get any work done. Hopefully, all the information and steps you've found in here will help you solve any issues you may encounter while using MS Word on Mac.
Get the specific steps on restoring deleted Word Files on Mac.
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Ctrl+Alt+Del or Ctrl-Alt-Del or Control+Alt+Delete is a key combination on Windows and Mac computer to force restart your Computer when not responding.
The Ctrl+Alt+Del command works for a similar purpose on Windows computer and Mac. On Mac, you can use the Ctrl-Alt-Del to force quit apps that are not responding. You can also use it to force restart your computer when not responding when they are pressed in a row.
However, if you don’t know much about the control alt delete key combination on your Windows and Mac computer. Here are what you can do combining these keys together when you PC isn’t working fine or responding or perhaps when you need to perform a task with the keys.
Table of Contents
What is Ctrl + Alt + Del?
When you press the control alter del so many things happen in your Windows or Mac computer. Some of these options includes lock, switch user, sign out, change password, and task manager.
When you press the combination of these keys and the options come up you can from there click on what to do from the pop up. However, to perform some of these tasks you may need to have the administrative right.
Additionally, when you press Ctrl+Alt+Del in a row this will restart your computer forcefully. However, when you are pressing the keys in a row make sure you do not have an unsaved project opens.
The way the Ctrl + alt + del works on modern computer differs from how it works on old computers OS such as Windows 2000, Windows Vista and Windows 7. In the old Windows version the Ctrl+alt+del opens the device task manager as against the new Windows version such as Windows 8 and Windows 10 that opens different options such as Switch users, lock, restart, force to quit macOS app, etc.
How to Use Ctrl + Alt + Del
You cannot always use the Ctrl-alt-del keys combination on your computer if you don’t want to loose your unsaved files. However, the best time to use the key combinations on Windows is when you want to lock your computer, switch user such as restricting administrative access from a 3rd-party, restart your computer, etc.
Meanwhile, when you use the Ctrl-alt-del keys combined in a row it will restart your computer without asking for permission to save opened files.
This can corrupt your personal files beyond fixing. Therefore, to use the ctrlaltdel key all files must be saved.
on Mac computer, the control-alt-delete sent a lot of command to your computer host when pressed together or in a row.
Control Alt Delete For Mac Remote To Pc
Control + Alt + Delete not Working
For so many reasons and reasons unknown, the Ctrl+alt+del not working may arise living you with no option that to find a means to fix it if you want to continue to use the 3-key-combination to carry out tasks the keys are designed for.
However, from our experience here are some of the reasons why the Ctrl-Alt-Del isn’t working and how to fix it.
Keyboard Malfunctioning
If you computer keyboard is malfunctioning or not well place at the appropriate position the key combination may stopped working. If the keys are not well-position during fixing, the key sequence will not work.
However, to know whether the problem is with your keyboard try to use an external keyboard and press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys to see if it work.
Perform SFC Scan
If the reason why the key combination isn’t work is the keyboard them doing a SFC scan could be what you neet to fix this mess. The Ctrl + Alt + Del not working could be caused by corrupt files on your PC.
The System File Checker helps to find corrupt files on your PC and provide means to fix it to bring thing to normal. However, unduly use of Control + Alt + Delete could result to the key combination not working and even in a row.
Ctrl Alt Del For Macbook
- Press Win+R to open the run command
- Type “cmd” without quotes and click on “OK”
- Type “Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth” and click the “enter” button
- The SFC scan will begin.
You can also do a search using the search box and type “cmd” without quote. When the command prompt appears right click and run as administration, press “Yes” or “OK” from the pop and run the command below and which you need to click on the enter button.
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth|
sfc /scannow Inbox for mac.
Update Keyboard Driver
The last advise we’d give on why Ctrl + Alt + Del not working is to update your keyboard driver. In some cases, when your keyboard driver is outdated the keys may not work fine and as expected. As a result of that, go ahead to update your computer driver for Keyboard and try to use the keys again.