To copy and paste on Windows, select the text, file, or image, press Ctrl + C to copy it, click where you want it to go, and press Ctrl + V to paste. Use Ctrl + X instead of Ctrl + C to cut, which moves the item instead of duplicating it. If you prefer the mouse, right-click the selection and choose Copy, then right-click the destination and choose Paste.
These steps work in Windows 11 and Windows 10. Below you’ll also learn how to use clipboard history, paste without formatting, copy files, and fix copy and paste when it stops working.
Copy and paste keyboard shortcuts
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy |
| Ctrl + X | Cut |
| Ctrl + V | Paste |
| Ctrl + A | Select all |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste as plain text (in many apps, including Chrome, Edge, and Word for Microsoft 365) |
| Windows + V | Open clipboard history |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo a paste |
How to copy and paste text
- Select the text. Click and drag over it, double-click a word, or triple-click a paragraph. You can also hold Shift and use the arrow keys.
- Press Ctrl + C, or right-click the selection and choose Copy.
- Click where you want to paste the text.
- Press Ctrl + V, or right-click and choose Paste.
On a touchscreen, press and hold the text, drag the handles to select it, and tap Copy. Then press and hold where you want it and tap Paste.
How to copy and paste files and folders
- Open File Explorer and select the file or folder. Hold Ctrl and click to select several.
- Press Ctrl + C, or right-click and choose Copy. In Windows 11, it’s the Copy icon at the top of the right-click menu.
- Open the destination folder and press Ctrl + V.
You can also drag files. Dragging to a folder on the same drive moves them. Dragging to a different drive copies them. Hold Ctrl while dragging to always copy, or Shift to always move.
How to use clipboard history
Normally, the clipboard only holds the last thing you copied. Clipboard history saves your recent items so you can paste older ones.
- Press Windows + V.
- Click Turn on the first time.
- From now on, press Windows + V and click any item to paste it. Click the pin icon to keep an item, even after a restart.
Clipboard history holds text, HTML, and images under 4 MB, up to 25 items. You can also sync it between PCs in Settings > System > Clipboard. For more, see how to access the clipboard in Windows.
How to paste without formatting
- Press Ctrl + Shift + V in browsers and many apps.
- In Word, right-click and choose Keep Text Only under Paste Options.
- In Windows 11 with PowerToys installed, Advanced Paste can paste as plain text anywhere with Windows + Ctrl + Alt + V.
- Paste into Notepad first, then copy it again.
How to copy and paste a screenshot
Press Windows + Shift + S, select an area, and the screenshot is copied to the clipboard. Press Ctrl + V to paste it into an email, chat, or document.
What to do if copy and paste isn’t working
- Restart the app you’re copying from or pasting into.
- Restart Windows Explorer: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find Windows Explorer, right-click it, and choose Restart.
- Clear the clipboard: Open Settings > System > Clipboard and click Clear.
- Check the site or app. Some websites and secure apps block copying on purpose.
- Remote Desktop or virtual machines: Make sure clipboard sharing is turned on in the connection settings.
- Restart your PC if nothing else works.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between copy and cut?
Copy leaves the original in place. Cut removes it once you paste it somewhere else.
How do I copy and paste in Command Prompt?
In Windows Terminal and recent versions of Command Prompt, Ctrl + C copies selected text and Ctrl + V pastes. If nothing is selected, Ctrl + C stops the running command. Right-clicking also pastes.
Does the clipboard clear when I restart?
Yes, except for items you’ve pinned in clipboard history.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.