The answer was as easy as this:
- Click the Apple logo in the top left of your screen
- Select "System Preferences"
- Select "Keyboard"
- Make sure the "Keyboard" "tab" is selected
- Select the "Modifier Keys..." button in the bottom right of the window
- Select keyboard: "USB Keyboard" (probably - if you're like me, you're trying to configure a keyboard that's plugged in to your laptop)
- Switch the "Option" and "Command" values
Apple Community
discussions.apple.com › thread › 250964176
What is the Option (Alt) equivalent key in windows keyboard.
December 20, 2019 - Is there a support article for using USB keyboards on the Mac? Specifically, which key on a standard USB keyboard gives you the same result as prees a Mac key? I've figured out the Windows key giveds the same result as the command key, Windows Alt key = the option key, ans so forth.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/mac › swap alt & win keys on windows keyboard (so that alt is cmd)
r/mac on Reddit: Swap Alt & Win keys on windows keyboard (so that Alt is Cmd)
March 24, 2025 -
Dear All,
Sorry, new to Mac. I have the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard which I would like to keep. I also have a MBP since a week or so.
So, on the MBP, the order of keys is:
CTRL - Option - Cmd
On The Windows keyboard they are:
CTRL - Win - Alt
And the default is that Win is set to Cmd
To make learning easier, I would like to have the same layout on the MPB and on the Windows keyboard, i.e. Cmd should be on the Alt key, and the Win key should be Option.
So far I only found tips how to put Cmd on Control (to mimic Windows mapping on the Mac), or expensive "monster" tools :-)
I probably have missed it, but isn't there a free straightforward simple tool for this?
Many thanks & best wishes,
Andre
(P.S. There may be many more threads from me soon, while I enjoy Mac, I struggle with some things ;-)
Top answer 1 of 5
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You don’t need a tool or anything to adjust this. Click the apple in the top left corner, go to system settings. Scroll on the left side in system settings until you see keyboard. In the keyboard section look for a button for Keyboard shortcuts. In the window that pops up look in the left column for Modifier keys at the bottom. At the top select the keyboard you want to adjust. Switch Option to Command and. Command to option, that should fix this for you.
2 of 5
2
I believe you can change macOS’ modifier keys in Settings, but I’m not sure if fn maps correctly on a standard keyboard
macos - Right option key of an external keyboard not working - Ask Different
On the second, a Logitech K120 with an ISO-IT layout, the right option key doesn't work at all. ... I wouldn't like to use external software to remap keys. As I mentioned, my first keyboard is working fine and I do not want to break its functionalities. ... Most Windows keyboards don't have ... More on apple.stackexchange.com
How to use commands with a windows keyboard
Try using the ALT key for Command. The Windows key is usually Option. More on reddit.com
4
1
March 5, 2023Swap Alt & Win keys on windows keyboard (so that Alt is Cmd)
You don’t need a tool or anything to adjust this. Click the apple in the top left corner, go to system settings. Scroll on the left side in system settings until you see keyboard. In the keyboard section look for a button for Keyboard shortcuts. In the window that pops up look in the left column for Modifier keys at the bottom. At the top select the keyboard you want to adjust. Switch Option to Command and. Command to option, that should fix this for you. More on reddit.com
13
3
March 24, 2025Wondering where the Command key is.. can somebody help?
Win key More on reddit.com
12
9
January 22, 2021Videos
02:40
How To Use a Windows Keyboard on a MacBook | Full Setup & Key Mapping ...
03:48
Use a Windows Keyboard on a Mac — Fix the Modifier Keys! - YouTube
00:14
What is the option key? #Shorts - YouTube
18:14
Mac and Windows Keyboard Shortcut Basics for Beginners - YouTube
04:04
Windows Keyboard on a Mac - YouTube
02:51
How to Remap Windows Keyboard Modifier Keys in MacOS! Easy Tutorial ...
Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-command-key-on-a-Windows-keyboard
What is the command key on a Windows keyboard? - Quora
If you are using a Windows keyboard with a Mac computer: The “Windows” key functions as the Command key when used with macOS. The “Alt” key functions as the Option key. Note that the order on Windows keyboards is Windows - Alt, whereas ...
Oreate AI
oreateai.com › blog › understanding-the-option-key-equivalent-on-a-windows-keyboard › e8b21fd38631317e5860c17a6b10b9a2
Understanding the Option Key Equivalent on a Windows Keyboard - Oreate AI Blog
December 30, 2025 - In essence, the equivalent of the 'Option' key on a Windows keyboard is the 'Alt' key.
Facebook
facebook.com › groups › 543628065696081 › posts › 4924277227631121
What is the option key on a keyboard?
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
Alphr
alphr.com › home › what is the option key on a windows keyboard?
What Is the Option Key on a Windows Keyboard?
April 13, 2023 - You can still use the device and execute commands that require the option key. The Alt key acts as an option key on Windows keyboards and pressing it will trigger the software events typically done with the option key.
Digital Citizen
digitalcitizen.life › what-is-option-key-on-windows-keyboard
What is Option Key on Windows Keyboard
December 11, 2025 - The Option key adds extra actions to standard shortcuts. You use it to reveal hidden menus, insert special characters, or modify how apps respond to clicks and drags. It plays an essential role in most macOS workflows. Most Windows keyboards do not label the Option key.
Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com › en-us › windows › keyboard-shortcuts-in-windows-dcc61a57-8ff0-cffe-9796-cb9706c75eec
Keyboard shortcuts in Windows - Microsoft Support
The following list includes keyboard ... with the Windows taskbar, pinned apps, and the notification area. Use the following keyboard shortcuts with the Settings app. ... Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you'd typically do with a mouse. Click an option below, and ...
Alvaro Trigo
alvarotrigo.com › tech › apple › mac › mac and windows keyboards | list of equivalent keys
Mac and Windows Keyboards | List of Equivalent Keys - Alvaro Trigo's Blog
May 13, 2025 - Some modifier keys on Mac, such as “Option ⌥”, “Command ⌘”, and “Control ⌃” keys require extra attention, so we’ll explain them in detail. ... The Windows keyboard’s “Alt” key is equivalent to the Mac’s “Option ⌥” key. It’s not strange or unheard of to find ...
Top answer 1 of 4
119
The answer was as easy as this:
- Click the Apple logo in the top left of your screen
- Select "System Preferences"
- Select "Keyboard"
- Make sure the "Keyboard" "tab" is selected
- Select the "Modifier Keys..." button in the bottom right of the window
- Select keyboard: "USB Keyboard" (probably - if you're like me, you're trying to configure a keyboard that's plugged in to your laptop)
- Switch the "Option" and "Command" values
2 of 4
8
DoubleCommand can remap keys, you just need to know the Mac keyboard equivalents on your keyboard:
DoubleCommand is free and open source
Apple Support
support.apple.com › en-us › 102650
Mac keyboard shortcuts - Apple Support
2 weeks ago - For example, to use Command-C, press and hold the Command key, then the C key, then release both keys. (On keyboards made for Windows PCs, press the Alt key instead of Option, and the Ctrl key or Windows logo key instead of Command.)
Magentus
help.magentus.com › genie › s › article › 360029291412-Using-the-Alt-Option-key
Using the Alt / Option key | Genie Support
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Boston University
bu.edu › eso › help-support › keyboard-shortcuts
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts | Enrollment Services Operations
The Windows key or Windows logo key was introduced by Microsoft to improve Windows functionality through the use of keyboard-based shortcuts. This key is usually located near the space bar, between the Ctrl and Alt keys. When you press the Windows key with other specific keys, you are able ...
O'Reilly
oreilly.com › library › view › switching-to-the › 9781449338978 › ch01s08.html
Keyboard Differences - Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Mountain Lion Edition [Book]
September 12, 2012 - The Save command is now ⌘-S instead of Ctrl+S, Open is ⌘-O instead of Ctrl+O, and so on. Mac keyboard shortcuts are listed at the right side of each open menu, just as in Windows. Unfortunately, they’re represented in the menu with goofy symbols instead of their true key names. Here’s your cheat sheet to the menu keyboard symbols: represents the Shift key, means the Option key, and refers to the Control ...
Author David Pogue
Published 2012
Pages 762
W3Schools
w3schools.com › tags › ref_keyboardshortcuts.asp
Keyboard Shortcuts
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/mac › how to use commands with a windows keyboard
r/mac on Reddit: How to use commands with a windows keyboard
March 5, 2023 -
I recently got a keyboard with windows keys but when I go to use commands such as copy and paste, the windows key won’t work as the command one. Any help is appreciated!
GCFGlobal
edu.gcfglobal.org › en › osxbasics › using-a-windows-keyboard-with-a-mac › 1
OS X Basics: Using a Windows Keyboard With a Mac
When using a Windows keyboard on a Mac, the Windows key is used instead of the Command key, and the Alt key is used in place of the Option key. For example, the Undo shortcut would use Control+Z instead of Command+Z.
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Alt_key
Alt key - Wikipedia
September 21, 2025 - The Alt key Alt (pronounced /ɔːlt/ AWLT or /ʌlt/ ULT) on a computer keyboard is used to change (alternate) the function of other pressed keys. Thus, the Alt key is a modifier key, used in a similar fashion to the Shift key.
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Option_key
Option key - Wikipedia
October 26, 2025 - Since the 1990s, "Alt" has sometimes appeared on the key as well, for use as an Alt key with non-Mac software, such as Unix and Windows programs; as of 2017, the newest Apple keyboards such as the Magic Keyboard no longer include the "Alt" label. The Option key in a Mac operating system functions differently from the Alt key under other Unix-like systems or Microsoft Windows. It is ...