how to copy in putty

2 min read 18-01-2025

PuTTY is a widely used SSH and telnet client, essential for managing remote servers. Knowing how to copy and paste within PuTTY is crucial for efficient system administration. This guide provides a detailed explanation of the different methods, catering to both beginners and experienced users. We'll cover copying from the PuTTY session to your clipboard and pasting from your clipboard into the PuTTY session.

Copying Text from a PuTTY Session

Unlike graphical interfaces, PuTTY doesn't use standard keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V directly. Instead, it relies on a selection mechanism and the clipboard. Here's how to copy:

Method 1: Using the Mouse to Select Text

This is the simplest method for most users.

Click and Drag: Position your cursor at the beginning of the text you want to copy. Click and hold the left mouse button, dragging it across the text to highlight the desired portion.
Right-Click: Once the text is highlighted, right-click anywhere within the selection.
Copy: A context menu will appear. Select "Copy" or a similar option (the exact wording might vary slightly depending on your PuTTY configuration). The selected text is now copied to your system's clipboard.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts (Requires Configuration)

PuTTY doesn't inherently support standard copy-paste shortcuts. However, you can enable this functionality through the PuTTY configuration:

Open PuTTY Configuration: Launch PuTTY, and go to "Session." Click "Save" to save the session.
Enable Copy/Paste Shortcuts: In the main PuTTY window, navigate to "Window" > "Translation". Check "Enable mouse-based selection" which is typically already selected and this is helpful even without shortcuts. Check "Enable keyboard copy-paste shortcuts". This will allow you to use standard Ctrl+C (copy) and Ctrl+Shift+V (paste) keyboard shortcuts in the PuTTY window.
Apply Changes: Click "Apply" or "OK" to save your changes and close the configuration window. Then, reconnect to your session to use the shortcuts.

Pasting Text into a PuTTY Session

Once you've copied text, pasting it into your PuTTY session is equally straightforward.

Method 1: Right-Click Paste

This method works regardless of whether you've enabled keyboard shortcuts.

Position Cursor: Place your cursor where you want to insert the copied text.
Right-Click: Right-click within the PuTTY window.
Paste: Select "Paste" from the context menu. The text from your clipboard will be inserted at the cursor's position.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts (If Enabled)

If you enabled keyboard shortcuts in the PuTTY configuration, you can use Ctrl+Shift+V to paste. Note that Ctrl+V alone won't work. This is important to remember.

Troubleshooting

Text Not Copying: Ensure you've highlighted the text correctly before right-clicking. Check your clipboard to see if the text was copied.
Text Not Pasting: Verify that you've copied the text successfully. Try right-clicking to paste if keyboard shortcuts aren't working. Restart PuTTY and reconnect to your session if necessary.

Conclusion

Mastering copying and pasting in PuTTY significantly improves your workflow when managing remote systems. Whether you prefer using the mouse or keyboard shortcuts, this guide provides the knowledge you need for efficient text manipulation within your PuTTY sessions. Remember to save your PuTTY settings after enabling keyboard shortcuts to make them permanent. This will make managing your remote systems that much easier.