How To Copy on Android and Paste Onto Windows Machine

In 1973, Larry Tessler, a computer-scientist specializing in human-computer interaction, invented cut, copy and paste interaction tools. This happened while working with Xerox PARC Company as a researcher in the United States of America. Cut, copy, and paste went on to become an essential and standard tool in human-computer interaction.

Copy creates a duplicate of the initial data, which means that the original data will still appear in its initial place. Cut is a command that removes the selected data; texts, files, images, etc. from their initial position. In both cases, the data is kept temporarily on the clipboard until it is patched somewhere on your screen where the paste command is issued.

How to Copy and Paste from Android to Windows

Not many people know it’s possible to copy something on an Android device and then paste it on a Windows machine. Below are the simple steps for cross-device copy and paste:

1. On your PC, click the Windows key.
2. Go to Settings and click on the Your Phone application.
3. Proceed to Settings and then Cross-device copy and paste.
4. Turn the toggle On for Allow this app to access and transfer content I copy and paste between my phone and PC.
5. Open the Phone Screen in Your Phone app.
6. Using your computer mouse, select My Files and navigate the folder you want to be copied on your PC.
7. Long press the file you want to be copied until a checkmark appears, then release it.
8. If you need to select additional files, then do so by tapping on them.
9. You are using your mouse, long press on the selected file(s) until a thumbnail appears.
10. Drag the files to the location of your choice on the PC.
11. A cursor will change to copy an indication that you can now drop the file.

To drag from the gallery app, follow the following procedure:

1. In the Your Phone app, open your Phone screen.
2. Navigate to your albums and select one using your mouse.
3. Long press on a photo and release it once a checkmark appears.
4. Select additional photos by tapping on them.
5. Again, long press on the selected photos until a thumbnail appears, using your mouse.
6. Drag the photos to your desired location on your PC.
7. The cursor changes to copy, allowing you to drop.

How to Copy and Paste from Windows to Android Device

You might have a file on your laptop, which you wish to have on your phone for convenience. Below are the procedures to get this done in the simplest way possible:

1. Open the Phone screen in the Your Phone app.
2. Using your mouse, choose the file(s) you would like copy-pasted.
3. Drag them to Your Phone app window, the cursor changes to copy, signalling you to drop.
4. Release the mouse, and immediately, your files will start copying on your Android device. A progress indicator will be displayed.
5. To check the transferred file(s), tap on the notification that appears on your Android device. You can also visit your Internal storage then Download Folder to view the file(s).

Cross-Device Copy Pasting using Alt-C

Fortunately, there are many alternatives for cross-device copy-pasting, and Alt-C is one of them. Alt-C is a computer application which runs parallel on both the PC and Android device (smartphone).

For Android, it can be downloaded on Google Play Store. For Windows, it’s available on the Alt-C website for downloading. Run the exe.dmg file to install before proceeding to configure it.

How to Configure Alt-C

1. First, you have to retrieve the activation code on the smartphone side. This will allow the Alt-C servers to combine the two terminals.
2. Open Alt-C on both platforms (Windows and Android).
3. Go to the computer and enter the information concerning the smartphone.
4. Give it an identity before proceeding to enter the eight-digit code given by the application.
5. The terminals are now entirely connected.
6. Now configure the keyboard shortcuts by navigating the ‘Hotkeys’ category to select your copy-paste shortcuts. The keys are Ctrl + Alt + C for copying and Alt + V for pasting.

How to Use Alt-C

Copying from Windows Machine to Android Device:

1. Highlight the text you want to copy.
2. Configure the saved keyboard shortcut in Alt-C, i.e., Ctrl + Alt + C.

You’ll see a small window popping up, confirming that the text or file has been copied and saved successfully to your device. You’ll receive a notification confirming that a text or file has been received on your Android device.

1. Proceed to paste the text or file where you want it to be.

Copying from Android Device to Windows Machine:

1. Select the text or file you want to be copied on your Android device.
2. On your Windows machine, hold down Alt and then press V while still holding the Alt key.
3. The text or file will appear on your desktop.

Note:

In Alt-C, both devices are enabled to keep a list of copied items up to fifty entries. This gives you a chance to retrieve these items whenever you like. If all you need is just copying and pasting articles in between your Android and Windows devices, then Alt-C is the best option to go for.

Benefits of Copy Pasting

The Copy Paste command is a simple way of moving data and other items right to where you want them to be. It helps reduce the energy spent on creating or recreating texts, thus saving on both effort and time, thus increasing efficiency vastly.

Copy and pasting are easy to use. It does not alter the information in any way. Even those who don’t have vast knowledge in computing will find it easy and efficient.

Differences between Copying and Moving

Copying means duplicating data from one location to another, and it remains intact at its original site while moving simply means a change of location. The data will not be found in its original place after moving.

Conclusion

Copy-pasting is one of the most straightforward computer tools. It’s efficient and easy to use even for people who aren’t tech-savvy. This is even enhanced by the use of software such as Your Phone app, Easy Copy, and Alt-C app, which have made it possible to copy and paste data from Windows to Android devices.