A file copy might be necessary during a troubleshooting process if, for example, you suspect a corrupt or missing system file. On the other hand, sometimes you’ll copy a file to provide a backup while you make changes to an important file that might have a negative impact on your system. No matter the reason, the file copy process is a standard function of any operating system, including all versions of Windows.
What Does It Mean to Copy a File?
A file copy is just that—an exact copy, or a duplicate. The original file isn’t removed or altered in any way. Copying a file is simply putting the exact same file in some other location, again, without making any changes to the original. It can be easy to confuse a file copy with a file cut, which is copying the original just like a regular copy, but then deleting the original once the copy has been made. Cutting a file is different because it actually moves the file from one location to another.
How to Copy a File in Windows
A file copy is most easily accomplished from within Windows Explorer but there are some other ways you can make file copies (see the section at the very bottom of this page). It’s really, really easy to copy files from within Windows Explorer, no matter which Windows operating system you’re using. You might know Windows Explorer as My PC, Computer, File Explorer, or My Computer, but it’s all the same file management interface. Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP all have slightly different processes for copying files:
Windows 11
Windows 10 & Windows 8
The file selected from Step 3 is now copied to the location you chose in Step 5. Remember that the original file is still located where it was when you copied it; saving a new duplicate didn’t affect the original in any way. You can repeat this step as many times as you want, in other folders, to copy the same file to other destinations. Windows 8 users can search for This PC from the Start screen. If your file is located on a different hard drive than your primary one, choose This PC from the left-hand side of the open window and then select the correct hard drive. If you don’t see that option, open the View menu at the top of the window, and then go to Navigation pane > Navigation pane. Anything you just copied is now stored in the clipboard, ready to be duplicated elsewhere.
Windows 7 & Windows Vista
The file you selected in Step 4 will now be copied to the folder that you chose in Step 6. The original file will be left unchanged and an exact copy will be created in the location you specified. Many downloaded files come in a compressed format like ZIP, so you may need to uncompress the file to locate the individual file or files you’re after.
Windows XP
The file you selected in Step 4 will be copied to the folder that you chose in Step 7. The original file will be left unchanged and an exact copy will be created in the location you specified. Many downloaded files come in a compressed format, so you may need to uncompress the file to locate the individual file or files you’re after.
Tips and Other Ways to Copy Files in Windows
One of the most well-known shortcuts for copying and pasting text is Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. The same keyboard shortcut can copy and paste files and folders in Windows. Just highlight what needs to be copied, and enter Ctrl+C to store a copy in the clipboard, and then use Ctrl+V to paste the contents somewhere else. Ctrl+A can highlight everything in a folder, but if you don’t want to copy everything you’ve highlighted, and instead want to exclude a few items, you can then use the Ctrl key to deselect any highlighted item. Whatever remains highlighted is what will be copied. Files can also be copied from the Command Prompt in any version of Windows, with the copy or xcopy command. You can also open Windows Explorer by right-clicking the Start button. The option is called File Explorer or Explore, depending on the version of Windows that you’re using. If you don’t know where the file is located on your computer, or you’d rather not search through lots of folders to find it, you can do a quick system-wide file search with the free Everything tool. You can even copy files directly from that program and avoid using Windows Explorer. Other file search tools have similar features.
