How to Find a File's Path on Windows

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Get the file path from File Explorer, the search bar, or the Run dialog

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: June 18, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using Search
|
• Using Copy as Path
|
• Using the Properties Menu
|
• Using the Run Command Window
|
• Video

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This wikiHow teaches you how to find the full path to a file using Windows Search, File Explorer, or the Run command window.

Finding a Windows File Path

Press the Windows key + S to open the search bar, type in the name of the file, and right-click the file that appears. Click on "Open file location." Click the box that contains the file name, above the list of files inside the folder. Press Ctrl + C to copy the file's path, then press Ctrl + V to paste it.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using Search

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1. 1
   Press the Windows key + S on your keyboard. This activates the search bar.
2. 2
   Type the name of the file. A list of matching results will appear.
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3. 3
   Right-click the name of the file. A pop-up will appear.
4. 4
   Click Open file location. This opens the file in its containing folder.

   • If you're using Windows 11, you can also select Copy path, which copies the path of the file. You can then view the path by pasting it into a document or text file using Ctrl+V.
5. 5
   Click at the end of the address box at the top. The box is above the list of files inside the folder, and just below the icons. This displays and highlights the full path to the file.

   • To copy the path, press Ctrl+C.
   • To paste the path once it has been copied, press Ctrl+V.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using Copy as Path

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1. 1
   Open the folder that contains the file. For example, if the file is in your Downloads folder, you can press Windows key + E to open File Explorer, and then click Downloads in the left panel.
2. 2
   Right-click the file. A menu will appear.
3. 3
   Click Copy as path on the menu. This copies the full path of the file.
4. 4
   Paste the path. Now that the full path to the file is copied, you can paste it into any text file or document by pressing Ctrl + V, or by right-clicking a typing area and selecting Paste.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using the Properties Menu

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1. 1
   Open the folder that contains the file. For example, if the file is in your Downloads folder, you can press Windows key + E to open File Explorer, and then click Downloads in the left panel.
2. 2
   Right-click the file. A menu will appear.
3. 3
   Click Properties. It’s at the bottom of the menu on Windows 10, and near the middle on Windows 11.
4. 4
   Find the path next to “Location.” It’s near the center of the window.

   • To copy the path, double-click it to highlight it with the mouse, then press Ctrl+C.
   • To paste the path once it has been copied, press Ctrl+V.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using the Run Command Window

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1. 1
   Navigate to the folder that contains the file. For example, if the file is on your desktop, go to the desktop.
2. 2
   Press ⊞ Win+R. This opens the Run command window.
3. 3
   Drag the file to the Run command window. You can lift your mouse once the file’s icon is somewhere on the Run window.
4. 4
   Find the full path in the “Open” box. This displays the file’s full location.

   • To copy the path, double-click it to highlight it with the mouse, then press Ctrl+C.
   • To paste the path once it has been copied, press Ctrl+V.
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