copy/ paste with keys in cmd.exe

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike Maxwell
  • Start date Start date
M

Mike Maxwell

Is there any way to do copy/ paste (of characters, not files) in
cmd.exe? I haven't been able to find anything, either by searching or
by random keypresses. (There was a thread on a related topic a year or
so ago, but only the mouse right click was mentioned.)

In particular, ^C and ^V don't work, nor does the Ins key no matter what
modifiers I use (and no matter what setting I have on Properties | Quick
edit mode). The only thing seems to be to right click the mouse, or to
use the menu.

Does doskey somehow automatically run when cmd.exe starts up? It seems
like that might be intervening, but I can't find any way to prevent
doskey from starting up.

If I'm not mistaken, this was possible in earlier versions of Windows.
Is this functionality really gone in XP?

Mike Maxwell
 
Right-click the shortcut, then Properties|Options then check the box for
"Quick Edit" mode. This will allow you to left-click-drag over the text then
press enter resulting in the text being placed on the clipboard.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Is there any way to do copy/ paste (of characters, not files) in
| cmd.exe? I haven't been able to find anything, either by searching or
| by random keypresses. (There was a thread on a related topic a year or
| so ago, but only the mouse right click was mentioned.)
|
| In particular, ^C and ^V don't work, nor does the Ins key no matter what
| modifiers I use (and no matter what setting I have on Properties | Quick
| edit mode). The only thing seems to be to right click the mouse, or to
| use the menu.
|
| Does doskey somehow automatically run when cmd.exe starts up? It seems
| like that might be intervening, but I can't find any way to prevent
| doskey from starting up.
|
| If I'm not mistaken, this was possible in earlier versions of Windows.
| Is this functionality really gone in XP?
|
| Mike Maxwell
 
Is there any way to do copy/ paste (of characters, not files) in
cmd.exe?
Click to expand...

This is ugly, but it works:

- Get AutoIt from http://www.hiddensoft.com. It's free.
- Create a script that sends the appropriate keys. For paste, use
Alt-space, E, P.
- Create a shortcut in your start menu and assign it a shortcut key.
You'll have to use Ctrl-Alt-V instead of Ctrl-V, but at least you
don't have to move your hands off the keyboard.

If you have a keyboard with additional, programmable buttons, you
could use those to get single-key operation.
 
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