Windows 11 ships with a revamped File Explorer. The new File Explorer uses a simple toolbar instead of the old ribbon interface found in Windows 10 and earlier versions.
In addition to the new toolbar, the File Explorer also ships with an all-new file context menu (right click menu) which does not easily get cluttered as and when you install new programs. The downside is that most PC users will need some time to get used to this new right click menu as it does not display all options by default.
Many users who have upgraded to Windows 11 are asking us where are cut, copy, and paste options in Windows 11? As a result, in this guide, we will tell you how to access cut, copy and paste options in Windows 11.
There are multiple ways to perform cut, copy and paste operations in Windows 11.
Method 1 of 4
Perform cut, copy, and paste operations in Windows 11 using right click menu
Step 1: Perform a right click on the file that you want to cut or copy and then click the Copy icon (refer to the picture below) to copy the selected file.
To cut a file, right-click on the file and then click on the scissor icon (cut icon).
Step 2: To paste the copied file, go the folder where you want to paste the file, right-click and then click on the paste icon (refer to the picture below). Simple as that!
Method 2 of 4
Perform cut, copy, and paste in Windows 11 via File Explorer toolbar
Step 1: In the File Explorer, select a file that you want to cut or copy.
Step 2: Once you select a file, you will see cut and copy icons in the toolbar. Simply click on the cut icon (represented by the scissor icon) or copy icon to cut or copy the selected file.
Step 3: To paste a file, navigate to a location where you want to paste the file, and then click on the paste icon (refer to the picture below) in the toolbar.
Method 3 of 4
Perform cut, copy and paste using classic context menu in Windows 11
Step 1: Right-click on the file that you want to cut or copy, click Show more options to open the classic context menu and then click the Cut or Copy option.
Step 2: To paste a file, right-click on an empty spot, click Show more options and then click the Paste option.
Method 4 of 4
Use keyboard shortcut to cut, copy or paste in Windows 11
Use the Ctrl + C hotkey to copy, use Ctrl + X to cut and use Ctrl + V to paste.
Peter Morl says
I really think an option to revert to the original cut copy or paste should be made available perhaps in the next revision. I always work from the text options as I find icons confusing. Demoting them so that an extra step is required is very disappointing.
Simonetta Logan says
WTF! why have you changed one of the most used things, copy paste files? I honestly can’t believe someone thought this a good idea. I’m finding it almost impossible to use !! so I’m going to see if I can change back to windows 10. What a cock up, i don’t actually see any improvements and lots of confusing changes
disapointed says
How they could fuck up the basic copy-paste function by forcing people to do additional steps?
What a fuck is you Microsoft, instead to improving usibility for masses you are making hard somethign what should be so simple. Going back to win10
Alfred Kuen says
As Windows11 is for computers and not smartphones, replacing the traditional command bar with the minimal version was a stupid, counter-productive idea. I, for one, will revert to Windows10 to avoid this unsatisfactory file arrangement.