The commands for copy and paste they are some of the most popular on any electronic device, and there is more than one way to use them on Windows and macOS. Computer operating systems offer at least four ways to access these resources, whether in text, images or web links. Depending on the need, it is possible to use the keyboard, the mouse or even an independent program just for the task. See four ways to copy, paste, cut and undo on your desktop and notebook.
How to unlock, edit and delete ‘files in use’ in Windows
Not everyone uses keyboard commands for tasks, but there are those who don’t know the shortcuts Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V to copy and paste. On Windows, you can also use Ctrl + X to cut and Ctrl + Z to undo a recent action.
In macOS, the same tasks are performed by combining Command + C, Command + V, Command + X and Command + Z.
Keyboard commands
| Windows | macOS | |
| Copy | Ctrl + C | Command + C |
| Necklace | Ctrl + V | Command + V |
| Crop | Ctrl + X | Command + X |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z | Command + Z |
If you do not want or cannot use the keyboard for any reason, Windows and macOS offer the same functions in the active program menu. To handle files on your computer, Windows Explorer and Finder offer copy, paste, cut and undo in the top menu. On the PC, in the «Home» tab.
Copy and paste from Explorer – Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves
In the Apple system for computers, the options are in the «Edit» menu.
Access copy and paste options in Edit Finder – Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves
3. Mouse contextual menu
Another useful option is to use the contextual menu, accessed by right-clicking. In texts, just mark with the cursor, trigger the secondary click of the pointer and select the desired command in a floating window. Copy, paste, cut or undo commands vary depending on the program currently used.
Use the context menu to copy and paste – Photo: Reproduction / Paulo Alves
4. Third party application
To expand the copy and paste function, applications such as 1Clipboard (1clipboard.io) can be good alternatives. The app in question works on macOS and Windows and uses the Google Drive cloud to sync the clipboard between devices. This means that, with the free app installed, it is possible to copy content on the PC and paste on macOS, or vice versa.
1Clipboard takes universal copy and paste for Windows and macOS – Photo: Disclosure / 1Clipboard
