When working on projects or tasks, you often need to paste a file’s full path into a chat, document, or command prompt. Most people copy the folder address first and manually append the file name. Is there an easier way to copy the complete file path in one second using a shortcut or right-click?
At a Glance
- Windows 10: Select file, Shift + Right-click → click ‘Copy as path’
- Windows 11: Select file, press Ctrl + Shift + C to copy instantly
- Paste: Press Ctrl + V in Notepad, Command Prompt (CMD), etc.
- Path format: Automatically wrapped in double quotes (” “) to prevent spacing errors
Windows 10: Hold Shift and Right-Click
Windows File Explorer includes a hidden feature. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and right-click on any file or folder.
An extended context menu will appear with a ‘Copy as path’ option. Clicking this immediately copies the complete absolute path to your clipboard, giving you the entire directory and filename at once.
You can paste the copied path anywhere—Notepad, Command Prompt (CMD), the Run dialog, browsers, or Excel—by pressing Ctrl + V.
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Windows 11 and Other OS Shortcuts
In Windows 11, the process is even simpler. You don’t need to hold the Shift key—a regular right-click brings up ‘Copy as path’ directly in the main context menu, or you can find it under the three-dot menu on the top toolbar.
Starting with Windows 11 (version 22H2), you don’t even need the context menu. Simply select the file and press Ctrl + Shift + C to copy the path instantly.
Here is a summary of file path copy shortcuts across different operating systems:
| Operating System | Shortcut / Action | Menu Location |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 | Shift + Right-click | ‘Copy as path’ in extended context menu |
| Windows 11 | Ctrl + Shift + C (or standard right-click) | Default context menu and top 3-dot menu |
| macOS | Command(⌘) + Option(⌥) + C | Select file and press shortcut |
Why Copied Paths Include Double Quotes
When you use ‘Copy as path’, the copied path is automatically enclosed in double quotation marks (" "). This design prevents command-line tools like Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell from breaking the path if folders or file names contain spaces.
Windows does not currently offer a built-in setting to copy paths without quotation marks. If you need clean text without quotes, you can paste the text into Notepad and use the find-and-replace tool.
Older versions prior to Windows 7 may require registry edits or lack native support, so these shortcuts are best used in Windows 10 or later.
Open File Explorer (Windows + E), select a file, and try copying its path with the shortcut now.
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