A path is the location of a file or folder in Windows 11. All paths include the folders you need to open to get to a specific location. Users frequently entered directory and file paths during the era of command-based operating systems, such as DOS.
Today, users can navigate through folders in Windows File Explorer without entering a change folder command. However, it can still be useful to copy file and folder paths so you can paste them into a document, Command Prompt, or when opening something in an application. Here are some ways you can copy file and folder paths in Windows 11.
1. How to copy a path with Explorer's “See More” menu
Menu See More of File Explorer includes the option Copy path that you can choose. Clicking that option for a selected file or folder will copy its path to the clipboard. Here's how you can choose the option Copy path in Windows 11 File Explorer:
1. Select the File Explorer shortcut pinned on the Windows taskbar.
2. Open a folder that includes the subfolder or file whose path you want to copy.
3. Click once on a subfolder or file to select it.
4. Then click the button See more with three dots on Explorer's command bar.

5. Select options Copy path.
Then open Notepada or a word processor to paste the copied path. You can paste copied links by pressing Ctrl + V. Paths you copy using this method will include the full location within quotes.

2. How to select default context menu option to copy path
Additionally, you can choose options Copy as path via Explorer's context menu. To do so, open a folder that includes the file or folder path to copy. Then right-click on the file or folder and select Copy as path.

You can also copy multiple paths. To do so, select multiple files and folders by holding down the key Ctrl. Then right-click a file or folder to select it Copy as path.
3. How to copy the path using hotkey
Recent Windows 11 versions 22463 and above include a convenient hotkey for copying paths. You can copy the path with that shortcut by selecting the folder or file in Explorer and pressing the key combination Ctrl + Shift + C.
That's the hotkey for the context menu option Copy as path. You can see if your Windows 11 build number has that hotkey by right-clicking on the file or folder. That hotkey won't work if you don't see it Ctrl + Shift + C next to the option Copy as path on the context menu.
If your version of Windows 11 doesn't have that hotkey, you'll need to update the platform. Choose to install the latest build of the platform if you are using an older version.
4. How to copy path with File Explorer's address bar option
File Explorer's address bar includes the paths of folders you open. You can copy links from there by selecting an option on the address bar context menu. Open a folder to copy location. Then right click on the address bar and select Copy address as text.

Options Copy address as text Copy the folder path in the address bar as plain text. The copied pasted path will not include any quotes.
5. How to copy the destination path for the shortcut
This method will be useful if you need to open the source folder for the desktop shortcut. The properties window for the desktop path has a box Target includes the path of the application file they launch. You can copy the path for the desktop shortcut from those boxes.

To copy the destination path, right-click on the desktop shortcut and select Properties; Click inside the box Target on tabs Shortcuts to select the text of the path. Press hotkey Ctrl + C standard to copy selected path text. Then, paste that copied path into File Explorer's address bar using Ctrl + V.
6. How to copy paths using Path Copy Copy software
Path Copy Copy is third-party software that adds new options for copying paths to File Explorer's context menu. The user can then select alternative options to copy different locations on the submenu Path Copy. You can copy full paths using the submenu in that software's context menu as follows:
1. Open the Path Copy Copy download page and download the executable file, then run it.
2. Click options Install for me only.
3. Select English (or another preferred alternative) on the drop-down menu Language and choose OK.
4. Click options I accept the agreement and choose Install.

5. You will then be prompted to restart Windows to complete the installation. Select button Yes, restart the computer now.
6. Sign back in to the Windows user account where you installed the software.
7. Open a folder in File Explorer.
8. Then right-click on the file or subfolder and select Show more options on the Windows 11 context menu.
9. Move the cursor over the subfolder Path Copy.

10. Select options Long path to copy the entire location. Now you have copied a long path to paste wherever you need it.
The great thing about Path Copy Copy is that it provides many options for copying folders and file paths. However, only a few of them are in the submenu Copy Path default. To add all options, click Settings on the submenu Path Copy. Then select all the submenu checkboxes in the window and click Apply > OK.

Now, right-click on a file or folder to get another look at the Path Copy submenu, which will include more options. You can choose options Short to copy the location with the shortened folder or file name. Or choose Name to copy only the title for the file or folder. Try out different copy path options by selecting and pasting them into Notepad.

You can configure how paths are copied by changing the settings in the tab Options of Path Copy Copy. For example, your copied paths will include surrounding quotation marks if you select the check box Add quotes around copied paths. Select options Add around copied paths to include brackets around the copied path.

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