Description: This article contains some of the most frequently asked questions about macOS in general from Winter 2019.

Q: What is MacOS?
A: MacOS is the operating system that Apple runs on any iMac, MacBook, and other Mac desktop and laptop computers.

Q: What makes the macOS different from Windows?
A: MacOS is developed by Apple and only Apple will develop or manufacture any macOS computer. Unlike Apple, Microsoft only develops Windows while many companies like Dell and HP will manufacture the hardware for it.

Q: Can I run executable (.exe) files on a macOS?
A: No. Executables are, by default, a Windows-only extension. The closest extensions that are comparable to executables that run on macOS are packages (.pkg) and disk image files (.dmg).

Q: Is it possible to upgrade parts on my macOS computer?
A: Yes. Memory and hard drives are upgradable on macOS systems. If you are looking for Micro Center to do this, we can assist with it. For any system that is seven years or newer, our service desk will use Apple approved parts. If you have further questions about this, please visit your local Micro Center Service Department.

Q: Can Micro Center repair my macOS?
A: As an authorized repair service for Apple, Micro Center can repair macOS systems under Apple warranty. If it is not under warranty, please speak with the Micro Center Service Department regarding prices or fees.

Q: How do I do backups for my macOS?
A: MacOS systems have a built in backup software called Time Machine. If you need further instructions on how to use the Time machine backup, please refer to our support article: https://www.microcenter.com/tech_center/article/5166/how-to-back-up-your-mac-using-time-machine.

Q: How do I check what version of macOS my computer has?
A: If you open your Apple menu from the top left corner, select About This Mac to bring up that information. It should tell you what version it has right underneath the name of the specific version (Lion, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, etc.).

Q: Can I uninstall and reinstall applications that came with the macOS?
A: No. The software that comes with the macOS is not designed to be uninstalled from the system.

Q: Does it cost anything to upgrade my macOS to the next version?
A: Generally, No. Upgrades with macOS systems are generally free. Before you do proceed to install the latest version of macOS, be sure you investigate information regarding the latest macOS to ensure that both software and hardware are compatible.

Q: If I have an older MacOS, can I upgrade to the next version?
A: No. If you are looking to upgrade your macOS, it will typically be to the latest available version. An exception could be if you are still running older versions like Lion (macOS 10.7) or Mountain Lion (macOS 10.8). In these cases, you will need to first upgrade to a specific version - El Capitan (macOS 10.11) in this example. In some instances, macOS versions that are much older may not be able to upgrade beyond a certain version due to minimum system requirements. For further information on how to install the macOS, please refer to the following article from Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201475.