Copy File and Folder Paths in Windows 11

A path is the location of a file or folder in Windows 11. All paths contain folders that you need to open to reach a specific location. In the old command-based operating systems, such as DOS, users were used to typing folder and file paths frequently.

Today, users don’t need to type in the change directory command to navigate folders in Windows File Explorer. However, it’s still useful to copy file and folder paths so you can paste them into a document, command prompt, or when you open something in an application. Here are some ways you can copy file and folder paths in Windows 11.

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File Explorer’s View More Menu includes a Copy Path option that you can select. Clicking that option for a selected file or folder will copy its path to your clipboard. Here is how you can select the Copy Path option in Windows 11 File Explorer:

Select the pinned File Explorer shortcut on the Windows Taskbar.
Open the folder containing the subfolders or files for which you want to copy the path.
Click the subfolder or file once to select it.
Then click the See more button with three dots on the Explorer command bar.

Select the Copy Path option.

Then open Notepad or a word processor and paste the copied path. You can do this by pressing the Ctrl + V shortcut keys. The path you copy using this method will include the full location within the quotes.

Alternatively, you can select a Copy as path option via Explorer’s context menu. To do this, open a directory that contains the path to the file or folder you want to copy. Then right-click the file or folder and select Copy as Path.

You can also copy multiple paths. To do this, hold down the Control key. Then right-click one and select Copy as Path.

3. How to copy paths with a hotkey

Updated Windows 11 builds starting with 22463 include a handy hotkey for copying paths. You can do this by selecting a folder or file in Explorer and pressing the Ctrl + Shift + C key combination.
This is the Copy as Path context menu option. You can check if your build of Windows 11 has the hotkey by right-clicking a file or folder. If you don’t see it, the hotkey won’t work next to the Copy as path option on the context menu.

If your build of Windows 11 doesn’t have the hotkey, you need to update your platform. You can do this using one of the methods in our guide on manually updating Windows 11. If you’re using an older version, choose to install the latest version of your platform.

4. How to copy paths with File Explorer’s Address Bar options

File Explorer’s address bar contains the path of the folder you have open. You can copy a path from there by selecting an option in the address bar’s context menu. Open the folder where you want to copy the location. Then right-click the address bar and select Copy Address as Text.

The Copy address as text option copies the folder path in the address bar as plain text. The pasted copied path will not contain any quotes (quotes).

5. How to copy the target path of a shortcut

This method will be useful if you need to open the source folder of a desktop shortcut. The properties window of the desktop path has Target boxes that contain the file path of the application they launch. You can copy the path of the desktop shortcut from these boxes.

To copy the target path, right-click the desktop shortcut and select Properties; in the Target box click on the Shortcut Shortcut tab to select the text of the path. Press the standard Ctrl + C hotkey to copy the selected path text. Then paste the copied path into the address bar of File Explorer with Ctrl + V.

6. How to Copy Paths with the Path Copy Copy Software

Path Copy Copy is a third-party software that adds a new context menu option for copying paths to the context menu of File Explorer. Users can then select alternative options to copy the location in different Path Copy submenus. You can copy the full path using the software’s context menu submenu as shown below:

Open this Path Copy Copy download page and download the executable file, then run it.
Click the Install for me only option.
Select English (or other preferred language) in the Language drop-down menu and select OK.
Click the I accept the agreement option and select Install.
You will then be prompted to restart Windows to complete the installation. Select the Yes, restart my computer now radio button.
Log back into the Windows user account where you installed the software.
Open a folder in File Explorer.
Then right-click a file or subfolder and select Show more options in the context menu in Windows 11.
Move the cursor to the Copy Path subfolder.
Select the Long path option to copy the complete location. Now you have copied a long path that can be pasted anywhere you need it.

The great thing about Path Copy Copy is that it offers more options for copying folder and file paths. However, only a few of them are in the Copy path submenu by default. To add all the options, click Settings in the Path Copy submenu. Then select all the submenu checkboxes in the window and click Apply > OK.

Now right-click a file or folder to view the “Path Copy” submenu again, which will contain more options. You can select the Short option to copy the location with a shortened folder or file name. Or select Name to copy only the title of the file or folder. Try different copy path options by selecting them and pasting them into Notepad.

You can configure how paths are copied by changing the settings in the Path Copy Options tab. For example, if you select the Add quotes around copied paths checkbox. Select the Add < and > around copied paths option to include brackets around the copied paths.

Copy Paths on Windows the Way You Like Best

Copying and pasting folder and file paths using the above methods will save you from having to enter them manually whenever needed. File Explorer’s default options for copying paths are probably enough for most users. However, Path Copy Copy software gives you more options for copying folder and file locations.