Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts – Part 1
- Editorial
- Apple, Utilities, Workplace
- October 6, 2012

A modifier key is a part of many key combinations. A modifier key alters the way other keystrokes or mouse clicks are interpreted by Mac OS X. Modifier keys include: Command, Control, Option, Shift, Caps Lock, and the fn key (if your keyboard has a fn key).Here are the modifier key symbols you can see in Mac OS X menus:


(Command key) – On some Apple keyboards, this key also has an Apple logo (
)

(Control key)

(Option key) – “Alt” may also appear on this key

(Shift key)

(Caps Lock) – Toggles Caps Lock on or off
fn (Function key)

Key or key combination | What it does |
Option | Display all bootable volumes ([Startup Manager](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310)) |
Shift | Perform a [Safe Boot](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564) (start up in [Safe Mode](http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455)) |
C | Start from bootable media (DVD, CD, USB thumb drive, and so forth) |
T | Start in FireWire target disk mode |
N | Start from NetBoot server |
X | Force Mac OS X startup (if non-Mac OS X startup volumes are present) |
Command-V | Start in Verbose Mode |
Command-S | Start in Single User Mode |
Note
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