In the last lesson, we learned how to copy and paste a file to create an exact duplicate. In this lesson, we’ll cover a closely related but very different skill: how to cut and paste in windows.
Knowing the difference between copy and cut is an essential part of basic computer skills. While copying creates a duplicate, cutting moves the original item from one place to another.
Think of Cut and Paste like moving a piece of furniture in your house. When you pick up a chair from the living room and carry it into the bedroom, it is no longer in the living room. There is still only one chair, but it has a brand-new home.
Cut and Paste vs. Copy and Paste: Quick Rule of Thumb
- Copy and Paste: Leaves the original file exactly where it is and creates a second, identical file somewhere else (Duplicating).
- Cut and Paste: Takes the original file away from its current folder and places it into a new folder (Moving).
Use Cut and Paste when you want to tidy up your computer files, like moving a document out of your temporary Downloads folder and into your permanent Documents folder.
Step 1: Select Your File
Just like before when using Copy and Paste, you have to select (highlight) the file you want to work with.
- Open File Explorer and find the file or folder you want to move.
- Left-click on the file once so it is highlighted (selected).
Step 2: How to Cut a File
Once your file is selected, you can “cut” it using one of these simple methods depending on your computer.
Option A: Using Windows 11
Windows 11 uses clean icons at the top of the folder window. With your file highlighted:
- The Top Menu: Left-click the Cut icon (it looks like a tiny pair of scissors) on the toolbar at the very top of the window.
- The Right-Click Menu: Right-click on your highlighted file. On the small menu that pops up, left-click the scissors icon.
- The Keyboard Shortcut: Press and hold the CTRL key, tap the letter X once, then let go.
Option B: Using Windows 10
If your computer runs Windows 10, use these steps:
- The Right-Click Menu: Right-click on your highlighted file. Look down the list that pops up and left-click the word CUT.
- The Keyboard Shortcut: Hold down the CTRL key and tap the letter X.
File Becomes Faint
When you click Cut (or press CTRL + X), your file icon might look slightly faint or see-through. This is perfectly normal!
Windows is just letting you know that the file is packed up and waiting to be moved. It won’t disappear completely from this spot until you paste it somewhere else.
Step 3: Paste the File into Its New Home
Now, navigate to the new folder where you want this file to live. For this exercise, let’s open your Documents folder.
Once you’re inside the new folder, look at the empty space in the middle of the window (the file view area).
Option A: Pasting in Windows 11
- The Top Menu: Left-click the Paste icon (the small clipboard) at the top of the window.
- The Right-Click Menu: Right-click an empty space in the folder and left-click the Paste icon.
- The Keyboard Shortcut: Hold down CTRL and tap the letter V.
Option B: Pasting in Windows 10
- The Right-Click Menu: Right-click an empty space in the folder and left-click the word PASTE.
- The Keyboard Shortcut: Hold down CTRL and tap the letter V.
The Finished Result
As soon as you paste, the file will appear in its new location.
If you travel back to the folder where the file used to be, you will see that it is completely gone from that location. You have successfully moved the file!
It’s Exactly the Same for Folders
In the example above we’ve cut and pasted a file, but you can use the exact same procedure to move entire folders, along with all their contents.
Memory Trick for the Keyboard Shortcuts
The shortcut for cut, copy and paste are easy to remember if you look closely at your keyboard:
- Copy – CTRL + C: The letter C stands for Copy.
- Cut – CTRL + X: The letter X looks a bit like a pair of open scissors cutting a piece of paper.
- Paste – CTRL + V: The letter V looks like an arrow pointing down, as if you are dropping or planting an item into its new home.
Summary
I know from my own experience that using the keyboard doesn’t come naturally to beginners. It always “feels” easier to just use the mouse.
But it does get better, especially for jobs like cut and paste, becomes a lot easier than using mouse. It just takes a little time and a little practice.
Lesson 13
Course Progress – 12 of 36
Part of the At Home Basic Computer Course — free computer guides for beginners.
Difference Between Save and Save As
In the File menu you may have noticed that there are two save options, Save and Save As.
So what’s the difference and when should you use either one.
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