# Copy file path & name to clipboard in Windows Explorer?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-file-path-name-to-clipboard-in-windows-explorer/458795>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 4, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-file-path-name-to-clipboard-in-windows-explorer/458795 "2008-08-04T12:42:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2008, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-file-path-name-to-clipboard-in-windows-explorer/458795/1 "2008-08-04T12:42:19Z")

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Maybe a dumb question - How do I copy the full path and filename of a file I’ve browsed to into the clipboard, using Microsoft Windows Explorer? (in XP)

I can copy the path without a terminating backslash if I click in Explorer’s “address” field and then ctrl-C, and I can copy a filename visible in Explorer if I click on it twice (like I would to edit the name) and ctrl-C. I can then assemble these in, say, a program line in a text editor.

Is there a way to do these in one step? A setting in Explorer, perhaps?

Thanks!

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**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2008, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-file-path-name-to-clipboard-in-windows-explorer/458795/2 "2008-08-04T12:58:16Z")

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You have to install a program such as [ClipboardPath](http://stefan.bertels.org/en/clipboardpath) or [Copy Path](http://blogs.vertigosoftware.com/ralph/archive/2006/09/28/Copy_Path_Shell_Extension.aspx).

In Vista shift + right-click will bring up a “Copy as path” option.

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**Author:** ![arseNal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@arseNal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arseNal)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-file-path-name-to-clipboard-in-windows-explorer/458795/3 "2008-08-04T13:33:57Z")

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Another way is to open the Start -\> Run … dialog box and drag the file into there. Then ctrl-a to highlight and ctrl-c to copy. It’s a few steps but there you have it, if you don’t feel like installing anything.