Find Files in the Finder Better by Specifying a Search Scope
This isn’t about periscopes or mouthwash—when it comes to searching, a scope is the area in which a search takes place. When you use the Search field in a Finder …
Apple releases macOS Catalina 10.15.5 with improvements to battery health and crashing problems
Today Apple released the 6th version of macOS Catalina, version 10.15.5. This update brings a lot of welcome refinements and bug fixes. In particular, in introduces a new feature intended …
Customize What Appears in New Finder Windows with This Tip
When you’re in the Finder, choosing File > New Finder Window does, as you’d expect, open a new Finder window. But what folder appears in that window? By default, new …
What is FileVault and why do I want it?
One of the reasons we love Mac is that they are very secure. But many of us are not using one of Apple’s greatest security features: FileVault. Filevault encrypts all …
Why is my Mac hot or making a lot of fan noise?
A running fan or a hot computer doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem unless it’s accompanied by random shutdowns. A computer that gets hotter turns the fan on. But not because …
How to properly erase your Mac before selling, recycling (or after buying used!)
Updated December 2, 2020: added information for new Macs with Apple processors. All too often I’ve seen people buy a used Mac only to find that the seller did not …
What system software can my Mac run?
Update 12-July-2020: Added information about macOS Big Sur and recent computer models. This blog entry is a little different from my usual. Normally I have handy tips and tricks for …
Having Mac Troubles? Running Apple Diagnostics May Help Identify the Problem
If your Mac is acting up and you suspect a hardware problem, there’s an easy first step that you can—and should—try before calling for tech support: Apple Diagnostics. (On Mac …
Legacy System Extension warning
With Apple’s macOS 10.15.4 Catalina update yesterday, your computer is now likely warning you that you have Legacy System Extensions (sometimes called Kernel Extensions or kexts) that will soon cease …
Apple releases macOS Catalina 10.15.4, iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, watchOS 6.2, tvOS 13.4, HomePod 13.4
Today Apple released updates across all of their operating systems. There is a sprinkling of minor new features, but more importantly, they include bug, reliability, speed, and security fixes. I …