Make a Duplicate of a File Intended For Windows Vista Windows XP Windows 2003 Windows 2000 Windows Me Windows 98 Windows 95 Windows lets you copy and move files from one folder to another by dragging them with different combinations of keystrokes. You can also rename a file by clicking on its name or pressing F2. However, if you want to make a duplicate of a file in the same directory, with a different name, the process might not be as obvious. Here's how you do it: On the desktop, or in an open folder window: Hold Ctrl, and drag the file from one part of the window to another part of the same window. In Explorer: Explorer won't let you do this, but you can Ctrl-drag a file from the right pane, and drop it on the same folder in the left pane. In either case: You can also use the right mouse button to drag the file from one part of the window to another part of the same window, and select Copy Here. The duplicate of a file called, say, MyFile.TXT would be automatically named Copy of MyFile.TXT. For keyboard users; press Ctrl-c and then Ctrl-v to create a duplicate of a file using the clipboard. Duplicate a group of files: Obtain and install Power Rename, part of O'Reilly Utilities and Creative Element Power Tools. It lets you rename files in a multitude of ways, including making duplicates (renaming without removing the original). This article has been recently supported by and featured on this Internet Webhosting Guide Written by: Annoyances.org Last updated: Wednesday, February 7, 2007 Care to discuss this article with other Windows users? Select your operating system here, and click Continue to post your question. - Choose your OS -Windows 7Windows Server 2008Windows VistaWindows Server 2003Windows XPWindows 2000Windows MeWindows 98Windows 95 Previous discussions about this article: (open a message to see applicable responses, if any) [Windows 2000] Question about 'Make a Duplicate of a File' (Dubina: Saturday, February 2, 2002) [Windows XP] How do I 'Make a Duplicate of a File' where default name is 'Filename Copy', not 'Copy of Filename' ? (Bruce M: Monday, April 26, 2004) Return to "Using Windows"