SSMT #106: Start Using ‘Hot Corners’
Using keyboard commands is one way to get stuff done faster and easier on your Mac. We’ve talked about those a lot on these pages.
But another way to speed up your workflow and boost your productivity is by using what is known as “Hot Corners.”
Did you know that each of the four corners of your Mac’s display screen can be set up to perform various actions in response to a click of the mouse (and that’s why they’re called Hot Corners)?
Among the possibilities are the following:
- Screensaver on and off
- Screen lock on
- Sleep mode activation
- Birdseye view of open windows
- Open windows hide
- Apps view
- Notifications Center open
- Quick Note open
The thing is, you don’t have to set up all four Hot Corners—just the number you want or need. And you can change them up or switch them around as you see fit.
Here’s how you set up each Hot Corner:
- From the Apple menu, choose “System Settings”
- Click “Desktop & Dock”
- Scroll down and click “Hot Corners”
- Select a desired action by clicking the options shown on the list that appears next to the screen corner you want to use as a Hot Corner
- Click “Done”
- Close “System Settings”
BONUS TIP:
Choose “Start Screen Saver” as the action assigned to the upper right Hot Corner. If you do this, what’ll happen afterward whenever you hover your mouse over it for a second or two is your screen saver will automatically start, and your system will be locked—no need to actually click that corner (however, you will need to enter your password to get back into the system).
