Copy and paste are some of the most common – and overlooked – commands found in any operating system, be it Windows or MacOS. The function is used to move text in an instant. Yet not everyone knows how to use these features. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to do this using your mouse, trackpad, or other peripherals.
Here is the summary of the copy and paste.
- How to copy and paste in Windows 10 using the mouse
- How to copy and paste in Windows 10 using the keyboard
- How to copy and paste in Windows 10 using the menu bar
- How to copy and paste in MacOS using the mouse
- How to copy and paste in MacOS using the keyboard
- How to copy and paste in MacOS using the menu bar
How to copy and paste in Windows 10 using the mouse
While Windows PCs have a unifying theme for copy and paste functionality, there are different ways to do this. Depending on the software, you can use the mouse, keyboard, menu bar – or a combination of all three – to get the job done.
While you can argue that some methods are faster than others, which one you choose will primarily depend on your personal preferences. So we will break them down in turn and then you can choose the one that suits you the best.
Quick tips
- Right clicking on a selected item will usually bring up a menu with the option to Copy.
- Right clicking on a space will usually display a menu with the option to Pastry.
- The keyboard command to copy is Ctrl + C, and the keyboard command for pasting is Ctrl + V.
Step 1: Selecting the content you want to reproduce is the first step when copying and pasting. If you are looking to copy an image, right click on it and select Copy the image to save a duplicate to the clipboard. Then go to step 3.
- For text, left click and drag your mouse cursor over the part of the document or browser window that you want to highlight.
- For folders and other items, right-click the item once or left-click and drag a selection box around multiple files.
- If you want to bring the keyboard, you can hold Ctrl, click on multiple files or click on the first item in a list while holding Change, and then click the last item you want to copy.
2nd step: Once the content you want to copy is highlighted, right click while hovering over any part of the chosen content and select Copy in the resulting drop-down menu.

Step 3: Once you’ve copied the desired image, text, or file, place your cursor where you want to copy it. Then right-click and select Pastry in the resulting drop-down menu.

How to copy and paste in Windows 10 using the keyboard
The second method for Windows 10 is to use keyboard commands. Here is the process step by step.
Step 1: To highlight text with a keyboard, use the Arrow to move your flashing cursor to the sentence or paragraph you want to copy, and press the Change key. Keep moving the cursor over the text you want to duplicate and a selection box – usually blue – will appear around it. Stop when you’ve highlighted everything you want.
- For files and folders, you can use the Tongue to move between sections of the folder you are currently in. When a folder is highlighted, press and hold Change key and use the Arrow keys to cover all the ones you want to copy.
- The images are a bit more difficult but use the same principle as above. Using a combination of the Tab and Arrow keys, navigate to the image you want to select. Hold down the Shift key and drag your selection over it to highlight it.

2nd step: Once your file, text, or image is highlighted, press and hold Ctrl key and press the VS key to copy it.
Although the keyboard command for copying is relatively universal, some software-specific macro commands or shortcuts can interfere with the Windows native keyboard commands. If in doubt about the correct key combination, search for control functions directly in the app’s help menu or with a web search.
Step 3: Once the content you want copied, navigate to where you want to place it and hold down Ctrl key once more. This time, however, press the V key. Your image, text or folder should now be pasted where you want it.
The third option is to use the menu bar.
Step 1: Many apps have their own menu system to allow copy and paste, but to highlight what you want to copy you will need to use the mouse or keyboard. Use the methods described above to highlight what you want to copy.

2nd step: Once you’ve highlighted your chosen content, look in the top menu bar of your app or folder, and click the button Edit Where Homepage button menu.
Step 3: To select Copy in the resulting drop-down menu.
Step 4: If you can’t spot this particular command, look for the classic overlay paper symbol used in many applications to denote the copy function.

Step 5: Once you’ve copied what you want to duplicate, head to that same drop-down menu and select Pastry.
How to copy and paste in MacOS using the mouse
Although Windows and MacOS are different operating systems, they copy and paste the same way. That means it’s just as easy whether you’re using the mouse, keyboard, or in-app menus.
Quick tips
- Command + C will copy a highlighted item.
- Command + V will paste a copied item.
Step 1: If you’re looking to copy text with your Apple Mouse – magical or not – click and drag the cursor over the part of the document or web page that you want to highlight.
- For files and folders, click the item once. You can also click and drag a selection box around multiple files.
- To easily highlight an image, you will also need to use the keyboard to play. Hold it Control , click on the image and select Copy the image to duplicate it and save it to your clipboard. Then go to step 3.
2nd step: Once you’ve highlighted what you want to copy, right-click while hovering over any part of the chosen content, and select Copy in the resulting drop-down menu.

Step 3: Once everything you want is copied, place your cursor where you want to paste the content, hold Control and click, then select Pastry in the resulting drop-down menu.

How to copy and paste in MacOS using the keyboard
No mouse? No problem. You can also use a keyboard.
Step 1: Although it’s a bit more limited on MacOS than Windows, you can use the Tongue to jump between text boxes for keyboard selection. When you get to the section you want to highlight, hold the Change key and use the Arrow to highlight the text you want to copy. You can also use the mouse to place the pointer where you want and then use the above method.
- Files and folders can be selected in the same way.
- For images, using the mouse will be your best bet for highlighting.

2nd step: Once everything is selected, hold the button Order key and press VS to copy.
While this particular shortcut is fairly universal, there are some macro commands or program-specific shortcuts that can interfere with the Native MacOS Keyboard Commands. If in doubt about the correct key combination, search for control functions directly in the app’s help menu or by searching the web.
Step 3: Once everything you want is copied, place your cursor where you want to paste the content, hold down Order key and press the V touch to paste it.
Finally, you can use the menu bar to copy and paste in MacOS. Here’s how.
Step 1: Highlighting isn’t something that most apps do on their own, so your best bet is to highlight text, image, files, or folders using any of the methods mentioned. above.

2nd step: After highlighting the data you want to copy, whether it’s an image, text, or both, navigate to the Equipment icon or Edit menu.

Step 3: To select Copy in the resulting drop-down menu. You may find that this process varies slightly from application to application, but it will be the same in most cases.
Step 4: Copy the data you selected to the clipboard, and then click the file or location where you will paste the copied information.
Step 5: Click on the Equipment icon if you are using Mac OS or the Edit menu if you are using Windows.
Step 6: You will then see a drop-down list of options from which to select Pastry to add what you copied to your file.
You’ll save a lot of time and stress when you realize that copy and paste eliminates the need to manually type in quotes or wait for an image or text box to upload before you can use it. While browser extensions can help you copy and paste material, knowing how to do it yourself is essential for productivity.
By following these simple instructions, you will be able to copy and paste any written or visual content into the program of your choice.