Simplifying copy and paste operations in Windows XP

by Greg Shultz | Mar 01, 2006 8:00:00 AM

Tags: Keyboards, Greg Shultz, Microsoft Windows XP, keyboard, IntelliType, Microsoft Windows, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Copying and pasting in Windows XP is simple enough—but how would you like to make it even easier? Greg Shultz shows us how to teach some old keys new tricks and simplifying the copy and paste process in both Professional and Home versions.

Do you spend a lot of time on your Windows XP machine researching IT related topics on the Internet? If so, chances are that you probably spend time copying text from interesting Web sites and then pasting that text into word processing documents for later reference. That's four separate keyboard strokes—[Ctrl]C to copy and [Ctrl]V to paste—each time you want to save snippets of text. Wouldn't it be nice if you could reduce each operation to a single keystroke? Well, you can!

If you have a Microsoft keyboard that provides a special set of buttons across the top, you can use the IntelliType software to reassign any of the special buttons to perform the copy and paste operations.

Here's how:

1. Download and install the most current version of the IntelliType software for your keyboard at the Microsoft Hardware site. (Keep in mind that this step is optional because the IntelliType software you have installed will allow you to reassign the special buttons.)
2. Access the Control Panel and double-click the Keyboard icon to display the Keyboard Properties dialog box.
3. Select the Key Settings tab, choose a key in the list, and click the Edit button to launch the Reassign A Key wizard.
4. Select the Choose From A List Of Commands option button in the Custom section and click Next.
5. In the Select A Command From The List scrolling list box, select the Copy command, and click Finish.
6. Repeat steps 3 through 5 and assign another key to the Paste command.
7. When you return to the Keyboard Properties dialog box, click OK.

Now, anytime that you want to perform a copy or paste operation, all you have to do is press the buttons that you reassigned. Likewise for a paste-only operation.

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Professional and Home.

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Huh! keithc | 03/02/06

Good Reminder tct | 03/02/06

Duh Ground Controll | 03/02/06

Pointless cforkel@... | 03/02/06

Here's the best way... David L | 03/02/06

Your kidding me right? shawnolson@... | 03/02/06

Do I really... David L | 03/02/06

Guess So! ewingdweller | 03/02/06

Why wouldn't you just Old Guy | 03/02/06

Geez vltiii | 03/02/06

Somebody obviously missed... NickNielsen | 03/02/06

LOL! Blackcurrant | 03/03/06

You missed a step chip_long@... | 03/02/06

Are you awake EStrother@... | 03/02/06

again... Blackcurrant | 03/03/06

Hilarious richard@... | 03/03/06

One final step rayrudolph | 05/17/06

Wow, Why didnt I think of that ! nancyjane62358@... | 03/03/06

Easier Way Kym Yeoward | 03/03/06

Why aren't mouse clicks better! lazerous200 | 03/04/06

Slow sense of humor these days EStrother@... | 03/05/06

Slow sense of humor these days EStrother@... | 03/05/06

is it dry in here? TonyBaggaDonuts | 03/08/06

If the font size is wrong for your document gitmo | 04/07/06

This can be very handy if you paste into applications buck.cowen@... | 03/02/06

I Agree! Pointless Traders Net | 03/02/06

Your Joking - Right? torontomac | 03/02/06

Then Don't Read It rickk@... | 03/02/06

Let the Mouse do the work D_Bones | 03/02/06

Mouse is Inefficient rickk@... | 03/02/06

But that's the hard way NickNielsen | 03/02/06

Here Mousey Mousey D_Bones | 03/03/06

Keyboard editing Robertson@... | 03/03/06

Maybe the best use of a mouse Old Guy | 03/03/06

Re: Hours wasted Old Guy | 03/02/06

Great! thud@... | 03/02/06

Rating athineos59 | 03/02/06

Consultant defined NickNielsen | 03/02/06

eek! A Microsoft Keyboard? techr@... | 03/02/06

Old Dogs don't need New Tricks shaun.russell1@... | 03/07/06

Absolute Waste of Time mr.praveeng@... | 07/20/06