How to Customize macOS with Terminal and the defaults Command
A practical set of real, working defaults commands to unlock hidden macOS settings, plus how to find and safely revert any customization yourself.
Step-by-step, task-oriented guides - do this, in this order, to get this result.
A practical set of real, working defaults commands to unlock hidden macOS settings, plus how to find and safely revert any customization yourself.
A complete walkthrough enabling FileVault, understanding your recovery key options, and what to do if you're locked out - before you need it, not after.
Auditing and controlling what actually starts at login - covering both the modern Login Items UI and the launchd agents it doesn't show.
Moving your entire setup - apps, files, accounts, and settings - to a new Mac, plus what to check afterward when something doesn't carry over.
A complete Time Machine setup covering drive selection, encryption, and exclusions - plus how to actually verify your backups will restore.
Set up RetroAchievements with protected credentials, a supported RetroArch core, recognized RA hashes, Casual or Hardcore rules, and verified sync.
A complete BitLocker setup covering TPM requirements, the recovery key you must save externally, and how to verify encryption actually completed.
A complete walkthrough using the official Media Creation Tool, plus how to verify the resulting USB actually boots before you need it in an emergency.
Configuring File History for continuous, versioned backups of your personal files, and actually restoring a previous version when you need one.
Creating specific, scoped inbound and outbound Windows Firewall rules with PowerShell, rather than the common mistake of disabling it entirely.