25 Mac Settings You Should Change Right Away
macOS ships with sensible defaults for a first-time user, but a lot of them get in the way once you know what you're doing. These are the changes worth making the day you set up a Mac — small settings with an outsized effect on how the machine feels. Each links to a full how-to.
Finder: see what's really there
Turn on file extensions so you can tell a .pdf from a .pdf.app, add the path bar, set new windows to column view, and keep folders on top. Developers will want hidden files visible.
Keyboard: stop macOS fighting you
Turn off autocorrect, smart quotes, and auto-capitalization if you write code or technical text. Then speed up key repeat and disable press-and-hold accents so held keys repeat instantly.
Dock: reclaim the space
Auto-hide the Dock with no delay, make it smaller, stop the bounce, and hide recent apps.
Menu bar & screenshots
Add the battery percentage, show seconds on the clock, move screenshots out of your Desktop, and switch them to smaller JPGs.
Security & appearance
Require a password on sleep, turn on Dark Mode (or schedule Night Shift), and cut animations for a snappier feel. When you're ready to go deeper, see our Mac power-user tips.
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