How to Copy a File in Windows

A file is copied when its contents are placed in a new location in the file system but the original file is not modified. A file may be copied to the same directory if the new file name is unique to that directory. Windows has several ways of copying files. The following steps will explain the different ways of copying this file.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Move the mouse cursor in the Explorer window over the file you wish to copy and left click to select it.

2. Hold the Control key down and then hold the left mouse button down. Move the mouse cursor over the directory you wish to copy the file to and release the left mouse button. The file will now be copied to the new location. You can now release the Control key. This method is called "dragging and dropping."

3. Click on the right mouse button to bring up the Context menu. Move the cursor over the Copy option and click on the left mouse button. Left click somewhere in the directory you wish to copy the file to and right click to bring up the context menu again. This time left click on the paste command and your file will be copied. If you are copying to the original directory, you will notice that your new file is automatically given a name unique to that directory.

4. Bring up the Edit menu by left clicking on the Edit option in the Explorer Window. Select the copy command from the Edit menu and select the directory you wish to copy the file to. Bring up the Edit option again and this time select the paste option. The selected file will now be copied.

5. Hold the Control key down while pressing the "C" key. Select the directory you wish to copy the file to and hold the Control key down while pressing the "V" key. Your file will now be copied. This method is called "copying and pasting."

Resources

• Learn more about using Windows at the Microsoft support website.