Mac OS X - How to Determine If an Application is Running in Classic or Native Mode

When running an application how can I tell if it is running in Classic mode or in native mode?
The following are some indications you can look for to tell what mode the application is running in:

Classic Mode applications

  • The apple menu in the left hand corner will be multi-colored.
  • The name or icon of the application will appear in the upper right hand corner of the menu bar.
  • Windows for classic applications will have the a close box in the upper left hand corner and a window shade and resize box in the right hand corner
Native applications
  • The apple menu in the left hand corner will be blue.
  • Windows will have three colored "stones" (red, yellow and green) in the upper left hand corner


KeywordsMacintosh os x 10 application classic native carbon cocoa apple menu   Doc ID947
OwnerHelp Desk KB TeamGroupDoIT Help Desk
Created2001-03-18 19:00:00Updated2020-08-13 18:21:44
SitesDoIT Help Desk
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