macOS Taskbar · Start Menu · TaZk Switcher

The Dock was missing something.

My Applications Container

zMac adds a desktop taskbar and Start Menu-style applications container to macOS, with window tabs, pinned apps, groups, folders, Quickly Launch shortcuts, application switching and auto-hide — while leaving macOS itself in charge.

macOS 27 macOS 26 macOS15, 14, 13 SHA256 Checksums

Download zMac Backgrounds Download Uninstaller

Join the zMac discussion on the MacRumors forums for updates, feedback, questions and feature discussion: MacRumors zMac discussion thread

A different way to work on a Mac... The same way you already know...

zMac is for people who like visible control over running windows and frequently used applications with a taskbar and start menu, intended to be used with the Dock. While it could be a complete replacement, that was not the primary purpose of designing this application.

Why I made zMac

I like macOS, but I felt the Dock was missing a fundamental set of desktop features — particularly a persistent taskbar-style view of open windows and a more complete place to organize and launch applications. After looking for alternatives, I could not find one that worked quite the way I wanted, so I made my own.

zMac was not created to emulate, clone or copy another developer's work. It grew from my own preferences and the way I wanted to use my Mac. Similar concepts naturally exist in other desktop environments and utilities, but zMac is an independent personal project.

This is a personal application currently in beta, not commercial software. I am sharing it because it may be useful to other people who want the same kind of workflow.

I have used donateware over the years and have always appreciated the idea: make something useful available without putting it behind a pay wall that the user cannot even use before a purchase, and simply let people contribute if they find value in it without actually buying a software license. Publishing zMac the same way felt right. Donations are appreciated, but never required to download or use zMac.

Windows, Tasks & Switching

Taskbar Window Tabs

Keep running applications and their windows visible along the desktop edge instead of relying only on the Dock or app switcher.

App & Window Switching

Taskbar tabs provide another practical way to move among open applications and windows.

ALT-Tab Style TaZk Task Switcher

Use Control-Tab for a fast ALT-Tab style TaZk task switcher, with window and application switching designed for the zMac workflow.

Tab Control

Rearrange windows and tabs, groups, dock overflow when space runs out, and many selectable settings and options.

Notification Highlights

Highlights taskbar items when an application needs your attention, making notifications and activity easier to spot.

Applications & Launching

Applications Container

A Start Menu-style home for favorites, recent apps, all applications, searches and useful Mac locations.

Quickly Launch

Pin the apps and shortcuts you use most for immediate access directly from the taskbar.

Groups & Folders

Organize applications into useful groups and folders instead of treating every app as an isolated icon.

Keyboard Shortcuts

CNTRL+ESC opens the zMac menu. SHFT+CNTRL+ESC opens System Monitor.

Controls & Appearance

Auto Hide

Keep your workspace clean when you want it and bring zMac back when you need it.

Volume & Brightness Mouse Wheel Control

Display controls for adjusting volume and brightness with mouse wheel input and slider-based adjustment options.

Adjustable Transparency Controls

Customize transparency levels for the zMac taskbar and the applications container menu.

Default and Temporary Color Picker for Window Tabs and Groups

Choose default colors for window tabs and groups, with temporary color changes available when you want them.

Privacy & Access

NO DATA COLLECTED

zMac does not collect, store, upload or transmit personal information, analytics, advertising identifiers or tracking data. The use of permissions is to open folders you choose, poll notification count, api for polling window states, screen image if you choose to use the thumbnail version of TaZk, and self maintenance with only data and files from zMac itself. The only time my server is ever contacted is if you manually click check updates, download, help, website, donate, or mail.

FREE (Donation)

zMac is free for personal use and Beta testing when using the default as installed settings. However, some or all settings options may be restricted. Thee are no warraties of any kind. Donations are not required.

Quick Start

Watch the Quick Start directly here, or download the original video to keep locally.

Quick Start · zmac.movDownload Video

Installation · zminst.movDownload Video

Simple permissions. No tracking.

zMac uses only the macOS permissions required for the features you choose to use.

Permissions & Privacy

Accessibility: used for zMac's window-tab and window interaction features.
Finder folder access: if you use a built-in shortcut to a protected Finder location, macOS may ask you to allow access to that folder.
No personal information is collected, stored, uploaded or transmitted by zMac.
No analytics, ads, advertising identifiers or tracking.
No user data is sold or provided to advertisers.
zMac does not contact the internet during normal app operation.
The distributed app is intended to be a clean build with no hidden components, back doors, adware or intentionally malicious code.

Normal macOS, Swift, Xcode-built application behavior and Apple operating-system services are outside zMac's own data practices.

Downloads

Direct download links:

zMac27.zip — zMac for MacOS 27

zMac26.zip — zMac for MacOS 26

zMac15.zip — zMac for MacOS 15

zmac-backgrounds.zip — zMac Backgrounds

zmac.mov — Quick Start Video

zminst.mov — Installation Video

Looking for a macOS taskbar, Start Menu equivalent or Dock alternative?

You may be looking for a macOS 27 26 15 (macOSX) Start Menu, taskbar, Dock replacement, Dock alternative, tab switcher or task switcher, window switcher, window manager, taskbar utility, app launcher, classic menu, "old school", power user, taskbar keyboard shortcuts, applications container, Start Menu for macOS, or an alternative to uBar and other discontinued, overly minimal, or overly complicated Start Menu-style taskbars. zMac provides auto-hide, customizable application launching, taskbar window tabs and a simple but powerful desktop program manager designed for low overhead on modern Macs.

zMac is designed for modern Apple macOS systems and compiled for Apple Silicon M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5 series chips and for Intel chips on Classic version, across MacBook, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air and Mac mini. Compatibility is not guaranteed.

zMac is a new, free personal-use application currently offered for personal use and beta testing. *** The settings will be limited to default as installed settings without a supporter number. It may be exactly what you have been looking for if you want a more intuitive desktop, easier application launching and a familiar way to identify specific application windows. Users coming from Linux, Microsoft Windows or other taskbar-oriented desktop environments may find the workflow familiar, but zMac is not an emulation, clone or copy of Windows, Linux, uBar or any other operating system or application. It is not meant to compete with or copy anything; it is simply filling a gap that I needed to fill.

If you arrived here searching for something like a Windows 7-style Start Menu for macOS or MacBook, a taskbar for Mac, a macOS Dock replacement, or a traditional desktop application launcher, zMac may provide many of the workflow features you had in mind while remaining its own independent macOS application. shift+conro+escape, control escape, alt-tab (control tab switcher)...

Questions, feature requests, commercial license requests and simple thank-yous are welcome at contact@zmacsoftware.com. If zMac is useful to you, you can also buy me a cup of coffee by making an optional donation. zMac is donateware / freeware for personal use and beta testing only using the defaults only. Commercial use requires permission or a commercial license. Advanced settings configurations requires supporter access. Durring install you will have top or bottom options, any settings change afterwards requires you to be a supporter.

Beta software / disclaimer: zMac is provided “as is” without warranties, guarantees or promises of fitness for a particular purpose. Use is at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the author assumes no responsibility or liability for loss, damage, interruption, incompatibility or other consequences arising from installation or use. Apple, macOS, Mac and Finder are trademarks of Apple Inc. zMac is an independent project and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc. References to other products are descriptive only and do not imply affiliation or endorsement.