Windows 7 - Command Prompt - Copy to Clipboard

   Information

This will show you how to enable or disable Quick Edit mode in the command prompt to highlight text within the command prompt to copy to the clipboard in Windows 7.

   Note

You can use this for a normal command prompt or elevated command prompt window

1. Open a command prompt, then right click on the title bar of the command prompt and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)

A) Go to step 4 or 5.

2. Open the Start Menu and click on All Programs and Accessories, then right click on Command Prompt shortcut and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This option can only be done using a Command Prompt shortcut. If you do not have one, then you can do step 3 to create a shortcut to use instead.

A) Go to step 4 or 5.

OR

3. If you do not have a shortcut to use in step 2 -

A) In Windows Explorer, navigate to C:\Windows\system32\cmd.exe, then right click on the cmd.exe file and click on Send To and Desktop (create shortcut). Now right click on the shortcut and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)

4. To Enable Copy to Clipboard

A) Click on the Options tab, then check the Quick Edit mode box and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable Copy to Clipboard

A) Click on the Options tab, then uncheck the Quick Edit mode box and click on OK. (See screenshot above)

B) You're done.

6. Now you can highlight text (left click and hold, drag over text) in the command prompt that you want to copy to the Windows 7 clipboard and press enter or right click. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Notice how the command prompt title changes to Select Command Prompt when you are in Quick Edit mode to highlight the text. The title will return to Command Prompt when you press enter or right click to indicate that it has been copied to the clipboard.

7. You can now right click where you want to copy the text to from the clipboard, then click on Paste.