Indie Mac utilities have carved out a niche for themselves, particularly those that tackle multiple minor inconveniences in one fell swoop. Among these, Supercharge emerges as a noteworthy contender, crafted by the talented Mac developer Sindre Sorhus. This all-in-one utility boasts a distinctive array of features that are refreshingly original, including enhancements for Finder that allow it to function similarly to Windows’ File Explorer, along with an assortment of handy keyboard shortcut tools. For those who find alternatives like Almighty lacking, Supercharge presents a well-designed solution worth exploring.
Making Finder easier for Windows migrants
Before diving into the other impressive functionalities, it’s essential to highlight the Finder tweaks that set Supercharge apart. These features are particularly beneficial for users transitioning from Windows to Mac, offering a familiar experience. Even seasoned Mac users may discover innovative ways to enhance their Finder experience, which has long been due for an upgrade.
Windows users are accustomed to a straightforward file management system—cut and paste. This method allows a file to be grayed out in its original folder when cut, disappearing upon pasting it in a new location. Unfortunately, macOS lacks this intuitive feature, relying instead on a more convoluted process involving the Option+Command+V keyboard shortcut. Supercharge simplifies this by enabling the cut and paste functionality directly through its settings.
To activate this feature, navigate to Supercharge Settings > Tweaks > Finder > Move Files with Cut and Paste. Users can even opt for a sound effect when cutting files. Once enabled, the familiar Command+X and Command+V shortcuts will seamlessly move files or folders to new locations.
Additionally, Supercharge offers several other practical tweaks within the Finder section:
- Delete files by simply pressing the Delete key, eliminating the need for the Command+Delete combination—another nod to Windows users.
- Open a file directly with the Return key instead of renaming it, while still allowing renaming via the Shift+Return shortcut.
- Create a new plain text file using Option+N, a useful shortcut for developers and coders, allowing for easy file creation with any desired extension.
Even more quality of life upgrades
Beyond Finder enhancements, Supercharge introduces a variety of quality-of-life upgrades that simplify and streamline the user experience. For instance, a convenient option in the menu bar dropdown allows users to quickly hide all windows except the one currently in use. Furthermore, within the Tweaks section of Settings, a hidden feature can be enabled to quit applications using the Shift+Command+Q shortcut instead of the standard Command+Q. This is particularly advantageous for those who may inadvertently press the Q key, which is located near the minimize window shortcut.
Moreover, Supercharge’s Shortcuts section allows users to assign keyboard shortcuts for toggling dark mode, activating grayscale mode, opening Finder, or hiding all windows. A standout feature is the ability to map a shortcut to exclusively open the Passwords menu bar utility. With the latest macOS Sequoia update, the Passwords app has emerged as a strong candidate for a default password manager, and having quick access to its hidden menu bar utility enhances convenience.
While Supercharge offers a wealth of features, it does not replace dedicated keyboard shortcut mapping tools like Keyboard Maestro. Available for directly from the developer’s website or via Gumroad, Supercharge also provides purchase parity. This means that users in countries with lower purchasing power will see the price adjusted accordingly— in India, for example—making it an appealing option for a global audience.
