How to Copy and Paste on Windows, MacOS and Linux

This guide will show you how to copy and paste text and files on almost any operating system

Prerequisites: None

Difficulty Level: Member • Nerd • Platypus

Estimated Time: 1 - 5 minutes

Expected Outcome: You will have a copy of some text or files of your choice

Tools Required: A computer with either Microsoft Windows, MacOS, or Linux

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How to copy text

  1. Find the text you want to copy
  2. Once you have some text you want to copy, select the start of it with the left mouse button then drag the mouse cursor to the end of the text you want to copy
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  3. Once the text you want to copy is highlighted, press Ctrl + C to copy the text
    1. Note: For Mac users, press Command instead of Ctrl
  4. Once the text has been copied, click where you want to paste the text and press Ctrl + V to paste

How to copy a file

  1. Find the file you want to copy
  2. Click on the file to highlight it
  3. Press Ctrl + C
  4. Go to the directory you want to copy your file to
  5. Press Ctrl + V to paste the file in the directory