How To Use And Access Your Mac's Utilities Folder | Find and Use Mac Utilities
by Chelsea Bruhl on Sep 26, 2024
Want to make the most of your new Mac? Checking out the Utilites Folder will be very useful. Learn How To Use And Access Your Mac's Utilities Folder in this article.
If you've just bought your first Mac, especially if you're coming from Windows, you may be curious about the Utilities folder. You may be aware of the folder but have yet to open it, or you may be seeking a certain tool and are unaware that it is in that folder.
In this article, MacSecurity will show you how to use and access your Mac's utility folder so you know what to do.
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How To Use And Access Your Mac's Utilities Folder
Where is the Utilities folder on Mac?
It's almost pointless to go through what's in the folder if you don't know where it is. Fortunately, there are a couple of straightforward ways to get to Utilities. So choose whichever is most convenient for you.
Dock: If you have an Applications folder in your Dock, click it to open the Utilities folder, which will be with your other apps.
Finder: Utilities may always be accessed via the Finder menu. From the menu bar, select Go > Utilities.
Spotlight: In the Spotlight search box, type "Utilities." It should be mentioned under Folders on the left. To open it, double-click it.
Launchpad: If you use Launchpad to get around on Mac, you'll find Utilities there as well. Navigate to the Other folder in Launchpad. Items from the Utilities folder can be found in this folder.
What’s in the Mac Utilities folder?
When you open the Utilities folder, you'll see some obvious things like Screenshot and Terminal. But, just in case, we'll go over what each one is and what it accomplishes. These are listed alphabetically.
Activity Tracker
Using the macOS Activity Monitor, you can quickly learn about what's going on with your Mac's processor, networking, memory, and storage.
For those coming from a Windows background, the Activity Monitor on your Mac is analogous to Windows Task Manager.
When you run the application, you will notice some columns, such as CPU, Energy, Memory, and others. It's the simplest way to monitor CPU, Memory, Disk, and Network activity, as well as obtain a thorough breakdown of how much each app uses in each category.
Each of these tabs corresponds to an internal component of the Mac and allows you to monitor how much your computer consumes. For example, the CPU section displays which applications consume the most CPU power. Memory, on the other hand, displays how much RAM each process is utilizing.
It's vital to highlight that you shouldn't close anything using this app unless you're certain it's causing an issue and it's your only option.
The AirPort Utility
This one is a little more specialized. If you possess one of Apple's (great, but now defunct) routers, you'll need to configure it using the AirPort Utility software. This tool lets you identify and administer networks, as well as control storage on a TimeCapsule.
If you don't have an Apple router, you can skip this step.
Audio MIDI Configuration
A musical instrument digital interface, or MIDI, is a phrase for linking instruments to computers. A user can use this application to connect electrical instruments and audio equipment to their computer and configure the numerous inputs and outputs.
Again, if you don't have serious audio equipment, this is probably useless to you. And if you do, you're probably aware of how it works.
Bluetooth File Transfer
This application is also very easy to use. Start the program, choose a file, and then choose a Bluetooth device in range. You can share the file if it is compatible.
Assistant at a Bootcamp
Bootcamp Assistant is a program that allows you to partition your hard drive, install Windows, and then dual-boot between Windows and macOS.
You'll need a Windows product key, and the operating system is purchased and downloaded through Microsoft's website.
Once you've followed the instructions and completed the setup, every time you power on your Mac and hold down the option key, you'll be prompted to choose between Mac and Windows.
ColorSync Utility
ColorSync is also an important tool. The program serves two functions: changing color profiles on connected devices and serving as a calculator.
If you don't understand the first thing, you shouldn't use it, but the calculator allows the user to enter a color in one standard and translate the numbers behind it to a different numerical system.
Console
The Console tool is a continuous log of all internal device actions. Additionally, any connected iOS devices, such as iPhones and Apple Watches, display their logs here.
It's also helpful for troubleshooting when things go wrong, especially if you're a professional (or are a technician yourself.) The console aids in the diagnosis of any problems.
Digital Color Meter
When you access Digital Color Meter, the software provides you with a magnifying glass and tells you what color you are hovering on. That way, you'll be able to recreate it afterward.
This, along with Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop's color picker, is a must-have tool for anyone who has done any graphic design work, and it's a fun way to experiment if you're feeling creative.
Your Digital Color Meter displays the RGB (or other color profiles such as Adobe) value of a specified region of the screen, as indicated by the cursor on your mouse or touchpad.
The aperture decreases or extends to different sizes, from one pixel to multiple pixels, and the average color value is obtained. Isn’t that awesome?
Disk Utility
The primary tool for managing drives connected to your PC is Disk Utility. You may reformat, generate disc images, RAIDS, delete discs and partition drives, and create new drives, including DMG files, here.
And don't forget about Disk Utility's First Aid! If you're having disc problems, this is the place to go to get the problem diagnosed and fixed. Put it on your list of the most critical Mac Apps if you aren't already using it.
However, if you don't know what you're doing and don't back up your system regularly, never utilize Disk Utility functions on your main drives. When restoring an external disc, Disk Utility comes in handy, but use caution.
The Disk Utility tool on Mac can be used to manage storage devices connected to your Mac.
- You can use Disk Utility to format and manage volumes on drives.
- You can create disk images to move files, or to back up.
- You can set RAID profiles for multiple disks to combine them as one. This will increase performance, and reliability and reduce the risk of data loss.
- YOu can check for errors in the drive and fix them using Disk Utility.
To access Disk Utility, follow these steps,
Using Launchpad - Open Launchpad from the Dock, and search for Disk Utility. Then click on the Disk Utility icon to open it.
Using Finder - In Finder, select Go and then click on Utilities. Now open Disk Utility by clicking on its icon.
Open Disk Utility during macOS Recovery - If you want to access Disk Utility during a recovery process, then do this. Boot your Mac in Recovery mode. Select Disk Utility in the Recovery app window and click on Continue. You can now repair and restore any hard disk that is causing issues.
Grab
It's a little odd that a tool like Grab is still around, and we're happy it is! The functionality of Grab is nearly equal to that of your Mac's built-in screenshot capabilities. Grab is an excellent choice if you can't recall your screenshot keyboard shortcuts.
Grab allows you to take screenshots of particular sections of your screen.
This can also be done without opening an application by using Command+Shift+3 and other keyboard shortcuts.
But where Grab shines is in its ability to take timed pictures, which is useful when you want a photo of a menu that disappears when you snap a regular screenshot.
Grapher
On macOS, Grapher is a potentially important feature that few people are aware of. The software will initially ask you to choose a type of graph, either 2D or 3D, from a menu of alternatives.
Subsequently, you can enter one or more formulas to generate full-fledged graphs, which you can then save and export. Grapher can construct two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphs and save them in .gcx format.
Keychain Access
This is where everything goes if you use autofill or password remembering on Apple devices. Keychain contains all of your saved information, and anything can be recovered from it.
You'll need your system password, of course, but if you ever need to discover an exact password for whatever reason, you can find it here.
If you forget or lose a password, use Keychain Access to hunt it up by searching with a keyword. Then, at the bottom of the results window, tick the Show Password option, input your Mac Admin password, and your Mac will show the password in plain text.
Migration Assistant
Migration Assistant is a program that allows you to transfer data to or from another Mac or backup. It's incredibly beneficial if you just purchased a new machine and want to transfer everything across.
So, the next time you get a new Mac, take a peek.
Script Editor
This is a program for editing AppleScripts, which are mini-applications written by developers.
This app is another of those things that don't matter if you don't know what it is but is useful to those who do.
System Information
System information is a useful tool for learning more about your system. When you open the program, you'll see a list of parts that are all linked to your Mac.
When you click on one, you will be taken to a page with live details about that particular part.
Terminal
Next, Terminal is another app that should not be messed with, yet it is most likely the most crucial app on your Mac.
The Terminal is the command-line interface for the Mac, and it's used for everything from speeding up your Mac to fixing corrupt user accounts and resetting parts of the system to installing new development tools.
VoiceOver Utility
Finally, VoiceOver Utility lets you customize and enable voiceover on your Mac. The technology might be set to read items to you at specific times or to assist you in any situation.
This could be an extremely useful tool for folks who have difficulty seeing or reading small print, and it is one of Apple's better accessibility tools. Whether you prefer gestures, a keyboard, or a braille display, VoiceOver gives useful voice cues while you work.
Conclusion
Remember that the contents of your Utilities folder may differ depending on the version of macOS you're using. Additional elements may be added as updates and newer versions are released.
Hopefully, for those new to Mac, this will help you determine if there is anything in the Utilities folder that you could find useful.
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