Your Mac and OS X have a variety of startup keys and key combinations you can use to affect how the device starts up. Shift key, for instance, starts your Mac in Safe mode, and C (or c) starts up. Alt key on Mac is indeed exist. And it’s called Option key. Windows vs Mac—there are so many differences. A lot of our customers have used a PC before and then decide they want to switch to Mac for better performance, nicer design, or for better security. Sep 11, 2020 In the System Preferences window that opens, select the Keyboard preference pane. Click the Modifier Keys button. Use the pop-up menu next to the Option and Command keys to select the action you wish the modifier keys to perform. Software 10 6 mac. May 11, 2020 Many Mac users may be wondering how to find the Option key - either the ⌥ key or Alt key, depending on the keyboard layout of your Apple MacBook. It is not surprising why many new converts to Apple. A simple solution to this problem is to remap the Windows and ALT key and the command and option/alt keys on the Windows PC keyboard connected to the Mac, so that the keyboard layouts will mimic expectations based on the standard Apple modifier key layout, rather than what it says on the PC keyboard.
Hi, Chris -
Your description of the screen sounds like what is shown in the pic in this Apple KBase article -
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482
If so, then the firmware password function has been invoked. If you have not yet tried, try clicking the righthand button without entering anything in the password entry box.
Unfortunately, if you can not get past it, and it's real, you will not be able to boot the machine to any disk or volume unless you know the required password. It is a reasonably serious level of security, originally directed toward owners of portable machines.
There is a way that such a password can be disabled. For reasons of security, even if we do know the solution we do not post it in these forums - since these forums are accessible by anyone, even by those who have not registered, posting the solution could help nefarious types gain unauthorized access to machines. To find out how to do it, contact Apple's Tech support, or an AASP (Authorized Apple Service Provider).
Your description of the screen sounds like what is shown in the pic in this Apple KBase article -
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106482
If so, then the firmware password function has been invoked. If you have not yet tried, try clicking the righthand button without entering anything in the password entry box.
Unfortunately, if you can not get past it, and it's real, you will not be able to boot the machine to any disk or volume unless you know the required password. It is a reasonably serious level of security, originally directed toward owners of portable machines.
There is a way that such a password can be disabled. For reasons of security, even if we do know the solution we do not post it in these forums - since these forums are accessible by anyone, even by those who have not registered, posting the solution could help nefarious types gain unauthorized access to machines. To find out how to do it, contact Apple's Tech support, or an AASP (Authorized Apple Service Provider).
To use any of these key combinations, press and hold the keys immediately after pressing the power button to turn on your Mac, or after your Mac begins to restart. Keep holding until the described behaviour occurs.
- Command (⌘)-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery system. Or use Option-Command-R or Shift-Option-Command-R to start up from macOS Recovery over the Internet. macOS Recovery installs different versions of macOS, depending on the key combination you use while starting up. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're prompted to enter the password.
- Option (⌥) or Alt: Start up to Startup Manager, which allows you to choose other available startup disks or volumes. If your Mac is using a firmware password, you're prompted to enter the password.
- Option-Command-P-R:Reset NVRAM or PRAM. If your Mac is using a firmware password, it ignores this key combination or starts up from macOS Recovery.
- Shift (⇧): Start up in safe mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- D: Start up with the Apple Diagnostics utility. Or use Option-Dto start up this utility over the Internet. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- N: Start up from a NetBoot server, if your Mac supports network startup volumes. To use the default boot image on the server, hold down Option-N instead. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- Command-S: Start up in single-user mode. Disabled in macOS Mojave or later, or when using a firmware password.
- T: Start up in target disk mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- Command-V: Start up in verbose mode. Disabled when using a firmware password.
- Eject (⏏) or F12 or mouse button or trackpad button: Eject removable media, such as an optical disc. Disabled when using a firmware password.
If a key combination doesn't work
If a key combination doesn't work at startup, one of these solutions might help:
- Be sure to press and hold all keys in the combination together, not one at a time.
- Shut down your Mac. Then press the power button to turn on your Mac. Then press and hold the keys as your Mac starts up.
- Wait a few seconds before pressing the keys, to give your Mac more time to recognise the keyboard as it starts up. Some keyboards have a light that flashes briefly at startup, indicating that the keyboard is recognised and ready for use.
- If you're using a wireless keyboard, plug it into your Mac, if possible. Or use your built-in keyboard or a wired keyboard. If you're using a keyboard made for a PC, such as a keyboard with a Windows logo, try a keyboard made for Mac.
- If you're using Boot Camp to start up from Microsoft Windows, set Startup Disk preferences to start up from macOS instead. Then shut down or restart and try again.
Macbook Pro Option Command R
![Boot options macbook pro Boot options macbook pro](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KVUk03wYbAc/maxresdefault.jpg)
Remember that some key combinations are disabled when your Mac is using a firmware password.
Learn more
Apple Macbook Pro Options
- Find out what to do if your Mac doesn't turn on.
- Find out about Mac keyboard shortcuts that you can use after your Mac has started up.