Tip: If a startup function doesn’t work and you use a third-party keyboard, connect an Apple keyboard and try again. Press the key or key combination until the expected function occurs/appears (for example, hold Option during startup until Startup Manager appears, or Shift until “Safe Boot” appears). (Caps Lock) – Toggles Caps Lock on or off (Option key) – “Alt” may also appear on this key (Command key) – On some Apple keyboards, this key also has an Apple logo ( ) Here are the modifier key symbols you can see in Mac OS X menus: Modifier keys include: Command, Control, Option, Shift, Caps Lock, and the fn key (if your keyboard has a fn key). A modifier key alters the way other keystrokes or mouse clicks are interpreted by Mac OS X. This is also known as the Command-C key combination (or keyboard shortcut).Ī modifier key is a part of many key combinations. For example, pressing the Command key (the key with a symbol) and the “c” key at the same time copies whatever is currently selected (text, graphics, and so forth) into the Clipboard.

To use a keyboard shortcut, or key combination, you press a modifier key with a character key.

Mac commands list startup