The concept of “copy and paste” has its roots in the early days of computing. The terms themselves were popularized by Larry Tesler, a computer scientist who worked at Xerox PARC in the 1970s. Tesler's work at Xerox led to the development of the Gypsy word processor, which was one of the first applications to feature a graphical user interface (GUI) with the ability to cut, copy, and paste text. This innovation was based on the idea of removing text from one place and inserting it into another, using simple keyboard shortcuts or mouse clicks.

Before the advent of GUIs, computers operated through text-based interfaces, where users had to type commands to execute actions. The introduction of GUIs revolutionized how users interacted with computers, making them more accessible to non-technical people. Apple's Lisa, released in 1983, was one of the first personal computers to feature a GUI that included cut, copy, and paste functions. This was further popularized by the Apple Macintosh in 1984.

Microsoft Windows, introduced in 1985, also adopted these features, and they have since become standard across virtually all operating systems. The fundamental idea remains the same: users can select text or other data, duplicate it to a clipboard (a temporary storage area), and then insert it elsewhere.

How to Copy and Paste in Windows

Copying and pasting in Windows is a straightforward process, yet it can greatly enhance productivity. Here's a step-by-step guide to mastering this essential skill:

Basic Copy and Paste

Using the Keyboard:

1.	Select the Content:

•	To copy text, use your mouse to click and drag to highlight the desired text. Alternatively, use the keyboard by holding down the Shift key and using the arrow keys to select text.

•	To copy a file or folder, click on it to highlight it. For multiple files, hold down the Ctrl key and click each file you want to select.

2.	Copy the Content:

•	Press Ctrl + C to copy the selected content. This action places the content into the clipboard.

3.	Paste the Content:

•	Navigate to the location where you want to paste the content.

•	Press Ctrl + V to paste the content from the clipboard to the new location.