How to Copy File Names in Windows Explorer to Text


This is a post on how you can easily copy names of files from Windows Explorer to text.

Let’s get to it.

Step 1 Open Windows Explorer

The easiest way to open Windows Explorer on Windows 10 and 11 is to use the shortcut key Win + E. Press the windows key and the E key simultaneously to open Windows Explorer.

Image of Windows Explorer

Step 2 Navigate to the folder that contains the files

Next you will need to navigate to the folder that contains the files you want to copy their file names.

Image of step 2, navigate to the folder that contains the files

Step 3 Select the Files

Ctrl + A is a great shortcut for selecting all the files in a folder. But you can also use a combination of the shift key and your mouse to select the files that you want to copy their file names into text.

Image of files selected

Step 4 Press Shift and Right Click

Now, with your mouse cursor, hover over the selected files. Then hold the Shift key, and while holding the Shift key, right click on your mouse.

Image of step 4, press shift and right click

Step 5 Click on Copy as Path

In the modular window that pops us, click on Copy as Path. This will copy the file paths and file names of all of the files that you selected in Step 3. All you need to do to copy only the file names is to delete the file paths.

Image of Step 5 click on copy as path

Step 6 Open Notepad and Paste

Open Notepad, or any other text editing software you prefer, and paste the file paths.

Image of how to open notepad and paste file names

Step 7 Find and Replace

Use the find and replace function, Ctrl + H shortcut key, in Notepad to replace the folder path and quotation marks with no text and you’ll have your file names.

Image of how to use the Find and Replace function in Notepad

That’s how you easily copy files names in windows explorer to text.

That’s it for this post. Hope you enjoyed it. If you have any questions, suggestions, or general comments let us know in the comments section below.

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11 responses to “How to Copy File Names in Windows Explorer to Text”

  1. FT Avatar
    FT

    Very helpful. Thanks

  2. Shun Avatar
    Shun

    Hi. This is what exactly I was looking for.

    Btw, if I copy the file name of multiple images, paste on Notepad as text files, do “find and replace” , copy them and search them all in explores in one time, is that possible?
    I am a photographer. I basically take pictures in Jpeg + RAW. I select photos in Jpeg but retouch in raw. So I need to stack raw files with selected jpeg images.

    I need your support.

    Regards

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Great.
      Yes, it is possible, you would need to add the modifier OR between the filenames for explorer to find all the names.
      I am not a fan of the windows explorer search feature – I find that CMD or PowerShell are better for automation.

  3. truly Avatar
    truly

    amazing

  4. SeaKat Avatar
    SeaKat

    Just perfect!

  5. Tony Avatar
    Tony

    Great explanation in easy-to-follow steps. Just what I needed. Many thanks for the tip.

  6. MJahanaray Avatar
    MJahanaray

    It is useful. However I do not realize for some selected files, when I press Shift+ Right Click, the menu containing “copy as path” does not appear but windows tries to open the selected files and the dialog box comes with the message “Opening these files might be harmful to your computer”.

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Mhh, couldn’t replicate this. Which windows version are you using?

  7. sandip patel Avatar
    sandip patel

    copy file name but not copy Titel i need Titel name copy in excel file
    pls help

    1. Kongo Avatar

      If you mean title of a song etc, you probably have to look into using Powershell.

  8. Mohamed Elnegredy Avatar
    Mohamed Elnegredy

    Thank YOU , Simple And ON POINT

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