Launching a Program on a Mac

There are two places to find programs, known as Applications, on a Mac.  The first place is in “The Dock.”  The applications that you use most often can be placed in the dock.  You can move the dock along any edge of the screen, but it is most often found along the bottom of a computer screen. 

As you place your mouse over the icon of the application, its name will pop up.  Just click once on the application icon to launch it.

The second place to look for Applications is in the Applications folder.  There are three quick ways to get to the Applications folder:

1. From within Finder, Press down Cmd-Shift-A, or,
2. From within Finder, Click on the "Go" menu and select the "Applications" item, the double click on the application you wish to launch, or
3. Double-click on the hard disc icon to open the Finder window.  Along the left side of the Finder window are a series of items.  Click on the Applications item at the left of the frame.  (see below)  All of the programs on the Mac will appear in the right side of the finder window.  Double-click an application icon to get it started.

Reviewed/approved 6/14/11 B. R. Metzler