4 Easy Ways to Copy the Full Path of a File or Folder in Windows

When you create a file or folder on Windows, it is assigned a path that begins with the root directory. Copying the full path of a file or folder in Windows can help you locate it without navigating through numerous directories.

Whether you want to do this for troubleshooting purposes or quicker access, copying the full path of a file or folder on Windows is quick and easy. Here we show you four different methods for that.

One of the most popular ways to copy the path of a file or folder in Windows is through the context menu. So, let’s start with that.

1. Locate the file or folder whose path you want to copy.
2. Press and hold the Shift key, then right-click on your file or folder.
3. Select Copy as path from the context menu.

   

Once you complete the above steps, Windows will copy the file or folder path to your clipboard, allowing you to paste it wherever you want.

File Explorer’s toolbar provides several useful options for managing your computer files, one of which allows you to copy the path of a file or folder easily.

To copy the file or folder path via the File Explorer toolbar on Windows 11:

1. Right-click on the Start icon and select File Explorer from the list.
2. Locate and select the file or folder you want to copy the full path of.
3. Click the three-dot icon at the top and choose Copy path.

   

The steps for copying the file or folder path aren’t much different for Windows 10. Here’s how you can go about it.

1. Open File Explorer on your PC.
2. Locate and select your file or folder.
3. Click the Home tab and select the Copy path option.

3. How to Copy a Folder Path From the File Explorer Address Bar

If you prefer not to use File Explorer’s toolbar, you can also copy the path of a folder or drive from the address bar. The following steps will work for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.

1. Press Win + E or use one of the many ways to open File Explorer.
2. Open the folder or drive whose path you want to copy.
3. Right-click anywhere on the empty space within the File Explorer address bar and select the Copy address or Copy address as text option.

   

The Copy address option copies the folder path with the “file://” protocol prefix, while the Copy address as text option copies the path in plain text format. You can pick the appropriate option depending on how you intend to use the copied folder path.

4. How to Copy the File or Folder Path With a Keyboard Shortcut

Windows also offers a dedicated keyboard shortcut for quickly copying the full path of a file or folder. To use it, simply locate and select the file or folder whose path you’d like to copy. Then, press the Ctrl + Shift + C keys together to copy the full path. It’s worth noting that this shortcut only works on Windows 11 build 22463 or later.

Are you a fan of keyboard shortcuts? If so, you’ll definitely enjoy exploring our ultimate guide to Windows keyboard shortcuts.

Effortlessly Copy the File or Folder Path on Windows

Now you know several ways to copy the file or folder paths on your Windows computer. Whether you favor using a keyboard shortcut or the context menu, copying the full path of a file or folder shouldn’t take long with the methods above.