Windows
Windows used to ignore anything emoji-related for a long time till the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update was released, and quite probable that it’s right what you have installed. The update has divided the Windows emoji history into befores and afters.
Earlier the user had to deal with the screen keyword or a special button which is available in messengers only. None of these is a winning solution, frankly. Today there are shortcuts finally: Windows + Period (.) or Windows + Semicolon (;) which open the Emoji Menu. Just scroll and pick the emojis by a simple click.
Mac
The story is even shorter here, and I like it. The default symbols menu on Mac contains all the punctuation, formula elements, pictograms and emojis you may need. Press Command (⌘) + Control (⌃) + Space to open it and see for yourself. For more convenience, you can use the search bar and categories (expand the window to see them).
Hope you’ve done it and accessing the emojis won’t be such a fuss anymore. Merrier messages and more empathy in the texts will follow, just avoid overdosing 😉🙌🍷😅🏆💎🍷🍷😵.