Copy a File Path in Windows [All Methods]
Have you ever needed to find the exact location of a file on your computer but didn’t know how to get its full path? Maybe you’re troubleshooting a Windows error, running a command in Command Prompt, sharing a file location with someone, or adding a document to an application. In these situations, knowing how to copy a file path in Windows 11 or Windows 10 can save you time.
Windows offers several ways to copy file and folder paths. You can use File Explorer, the right-click menu, keyboard shortcuts, the Properties window, Command Prompt, or PowerShell.
You can also create a shortcut that opens a specific file or folder.
Let’s learn in detail!
Create a Link to File or Folder in Windows
Before copying a file path, it’s helpful to understand the difference between a file path, a shortcut, and a shareable link.
A file path tells Windows where a file or folder is stored. For example, C:\Users\John\Documents\Report.docx identifies a specific document on a computer.
A shortcut is a small file that points to another file, folder, or application. You can place it on your desktop for quick access without moving the original item.
A shareable link is different. For example, a OneDrive sharing link can let another person access a file if they have the necessary permissions. Simply copying a local Windows path won’t automatically give someone else access to your file.
To create a desktop shortcut, open File Explorer, locate the file or folder, and right-click it. Select Show more options in Windows 11 if needed, then choose Create shortcut.
You can move the resulting shortcut to your desktop or another convenient location.
If you want a link that another person can open online, use the sharing option provided by OneDrive or the service where the file is stored.
Copy a File Path in Windows 11/10 [All Methods]
The quickest way to copy a file path in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is to open File Explorer, hold down Shift, right-click the file, and select Copy as path. Windows copies the complete path to your clipboard, including the file name and extension. You can then paste it anywhere using Ctrl + V.
Here are the methods you can use, depending on whether you need a file path, a folder path, or a shortcut.
1: Copy a File Path Using the Right-Click Menu
This is the easiest method for beginners because you don’t need to type anything manually.
Press Windows + E to open File Explorer. Browse to the folder containing the file you want to locate. For example, open Downloads if you’re looking for a file you recently downloaded.
Find the file, hold down the Shift key, and right-click it. In the menu that appears, select Copy as path.
Now open Notepad, a Word document, an email, or another application. Press Ctrl + V to paste the copied path.
For example, the result might look like this:
“C:\Users\John\Downloads\Report.pdf”
The quotation marks are normal. Windows includes them to help preserve paths that contain spaces when used in command-line applications.
This method works in Windows 10 and Windows 11. In Windows 11, you may need to use the expanded context menu if the command isn’t immediately visible.
2: Copy a File Path Using File Explorer’s Toolbar
Windows 11 provides a convenient option for copying paths directly from File Explorer.
Open File Explorer and locate your file. Click the file once to select it. At the top of the window, select the three-dot menu on the command bar.
Choose Copy path from the menu. Windows copies the selected item’s full path to the clipboard.
Open your preferred application and press Ctrl + V to paste it.
In Windows 10, the File Explorer toolbar may display a Copy path option under the Home tab, depending on your view and Windows configuration.
Remember that Copy path and Copy do different things.
Copy duplicates a file or folder to the clipboard for a file operation, while Copy path copies its location as text.
3: Copy the Current Folder Path From the Address Bar
Sometimes you don’t need the full path of a file. You only need the location of the folder you’re currently viewing.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder. Click the address bar at the top of the window. The folder breadcrumbs will change into a text path.
Press Ctrl + A to select the entire path, then press Ctrl + C to copy it.
For example, if you’re viewing your Documents folder, the copied path might be:
C:\Users\John\Documents
You can paste this path into Notepad or another application using Ctrl + V.
You can also press Alt + D to select the address bar directly. This keyboard shortcut works in File Explorer and is handy when you want to avoid using your mouse.
Keep in mind that this method copies the current folder’s location, not the full path of a selected file inside that folder.
4: Find a File Path Through the Properties Window
The Properties window is useful when you want to inspect a file’s location and name separately.
Open File Explorer and find the file. Right-click it and select Properties.
Under the General tab, look for the Location field. It displays the folder where the file is stored.
For example, the Location field might show:
C:\Users\John\Documents
If the file is named Report.docx, combine the folder location, a backslash, and the file name to get the full path:
C:\Users\John\Documents\Report.docx
You can copy the location text if it is selectable. Otherwise, use the Copy as path method from Step 1 to get the complete path without assembling it manually.
This method is especially helpful when you’re checking the location of an application file, document, or shortcut.
5: Copy a File Path Using Command Prompt
If you’re comfortable using Windows commands, Command Prompt can help you find file paths and display directory contents.
Press Windows + S, type cmd, and open Command Prompt.
To display your current directory, enter:
cd
Press Enter. Command Prompt displays the current folder path.
To navigate to another folder, use the cd command followed by its path. For example:
cd /d C:\Users\John\Documents
The /d option lets you change both the directory and drive when necessary.
To list the files in that folder, enter:
dir
Press Enter to display the contents.
If you know the exact file path, you can also use commands that display information about that file. For example:
dir “C:\Users\John\Documents\Report.docx”
This displays information about the specified file if it exists.
Command Prompt is particularly useful for troubleshooting, but it doesn’t replace the simple Copy as path feature in File Explorer.
If you need to copy the displayed text, you can select it in the terminal and use the available copy command or keyboard shortcut supported by your terminal window.
6: Get a File’s Full Path Using PowerShell
PowerShell provides another way to retrieve a file’s full path. It’s useful for scripts, troubleshooting, and managing files.
Open the Start menu, search for PowerShell, and launch it. For ordinary file-path checks, administrator permissions usually aren’t necessary.
Suppose your file is named Report.docx and is stored in Documents. Run this command:
Get-Item “C:\Users\John\Documents\Report.docx” | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName
Press Enter. PowerShell displays the full path of the file.
You can also copy the path directly to the clipboard by running:
(Get-Item “C:\Users\John\Documents\Report.docx”).FullName | Set-Clipboard
Replace the example path with the actual location of your file.
If the path is incorrect or the file doesn’t exist, PowerShell will return an error. Make sure the drive, folder names, and file extension are correct.
7: Copy a Folder or File Path From Search Results
If you know the file name but don’t know where it’s stored, Windows Search can help you locate it.
Press Windows + S and enter the file name. Wait for Windows to display the results.
Once you find the correct file, right-click it and choose Open file location, if that option is available. File Explorer will open the folder containing the file.
Now use Shift + right-click > Copy as path to copy the full file path.
If you’re searching for a folder, you can use the same general approach to locate it, open its location, and copy its path.
This method is useful for files scattered across Downloads, Documents, Desktop, and other folders.
If the file doesn’t appear, check whether Windows has indexed its location or browse manually through File Explorer.
8: Copy the Path of a Desktop Shortcut
A desktop shortcut points to an original file, folder, or application. Sometimes you need the shortcut’s own path, while other times you need the location of the item it opens.
To copy the shortcut’s own path, open File Explorer and navigate to the Desktop folder. Find the shortcut, then use Shift + right-click > Copy as path.
To find the original target, right-click the shortcut and select Properties. Open the Shortcut tab and look at the Target field.
The Target field shows the program or file the shortcut launches, although it may contain command-line arguments or other information.
For example, a shortcut on your desktop might point to an application stored in C:\Program Files. Copying the shortcut’s path doesn’t automatically copy the target’s path.
If you need the actual file location, use the Target field or navigate to the target in File Explorer.
9: Copy a Shareable Link to a File or Folder
If your goal is to send a file to another person, a local Windows path may not be enough. A path such as C:\Users\John\Documents\Report.docx usually works only on a computer where that same location exists.
For files stored in OneDrive, open File Explorer and locate the file or folder. Right-click it and select Share. Choose the available sharing settings, apply the permissions, and select Copy link if that option appears.
You can then paste the generated link into an email or message. The recipient’s access depends on the permissions you selected and whether the file is still available.
For files stored locally, you can attach the file to an email or use a supported file-sharing service. Don’t assume that sending the local path alone transfers the file or grants access to it.
FAQs
1. What is the fastest way to copy a file path in Windows?
The fastest method is to hold Shift, right-click the file in File Explorer, and select Copy as path. Then press Ctrl + V wherever you want to paste it.
2. Why does Windows include quotation marks around a copied file path?
Quotation marks help keep paths containing spaces together when used in command-line tools. For example, “C:\Users\John\My Documents\Report.docx” is treated as a single path when the quotes are used correctly.
3. How do I copy only a folder path?
Open the folder in File Explorer, click the address bar, and press Ctrl + C. This copies the current folder’s path without adding the name of a selected file.
4. Can I copy a file path using a keyboard shortcut?
Windows provides the Alt + D shortcut for selecting the File Explorer address bar. To copy the full path of an individual file, the reliable built-in method is Shift + right-click > Copy as path. The exact keyboard options can vary if third-party utilities are installed.
5. Is a file path the same as a shortcut?
No. A file path is text that identifies where an item is stored. A shortcut is a separate file that points to another item. Deleting a shortcut normally doesn’t delete the original file.
Summary
Copying a file path in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is easy once you know where to look. For most situations, Shift + right-click > Copy as path is the quickest option.
You can also copy the current folder path from File Explorer’s address bar, inspect a file’s location through Properties, or retrieve the full path using Command Prompt and PowerShell.
If you want to open a file quickly, create a shortcut. If you need to share a file with someone else, use a proper sharing link or send the file itself.