HOW TO: Enable and Disable QuickEdit Mode for MS-DOS Programs in Windows 2000 (317591)

SUMMARY

If you enable QuickEdit mode, you can use a mouse to copy and paste MS-DOS text. This step-by-step article describes how to disable and enable the QuickEdit mode for both the command prompt window and MS-DOS programs.

In QuickEdit mode, you can copy text between a command prompt window and Windows-based programs, and you can paste text into a command prompt window by using a right-click operation. QuickEdit mode is enabled by default in Windows 2000.

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How to Disable and Enable QuickEdit Mode

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Command Prompt.
2. Right-click the title bar, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Options tab, and then perform either of the following steps:
   • Click to clear the QuickEdit mode check box to disable QuickEdit mode, and then click OK.
     
     -or-
   • Click to select the QuickEdit mode check box to enable QuickEdit mode, and then click OK.
4. In the Apply Properties To Shortcut dialog box, perform either of the following steps:
   • Click Apply properties to current window only to use QuickEdit mode in the current window.
     
     -or-
   • Click Modify shortcut that started this window to apply QuickEdit mode every time you start the MS-DOS-based program.
5. Click OK.

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How to Copy and Paste When QuickEdit Mode Is Enabled

1. To copy text from the command prompt window, click and drag the mouse pointer over the text that you want to copy, and then either press ENTER or right-click anywhere in the window.
   
   The text is copied to the Windows clipboard.
   
   NOTE: If you select text in an MS-DOS-based program, the selection is always rectangular-shaped, even if the lines of text have to be truncated on the left side, the right side, or on both sides. In contrast, when you select text in a Windows-based program, your selection follows the flow of your text, even if the text is not formed in a rectangular block.
2. To paste the text from the Windows clipboard to the command prompt window, right-click anywhere in the window.
   
   The text is pasted to the command prompt window.

NOTE: You cannot paste text to either a command prompt window or an MS-DOS-based program if either the command prompt or the program is running in full-screen mode.

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How to Copy and Paste When QuickEdit Mode Is Disabled

1. Right-click the title bar, click Edit on the Control menu, and then click Mark.
2. Drag the mouse to select the data you want to copy.
3. Either press ENTER or right-click anywhere in the window.
   
   NOTE: If you select text in an MS-DOS-based program, the selection is always rectangular-shaped, even if the lines of text have to be truncated on the left side, the right side, or both sides. In contrast, when you select text in a Windows-based program, your selection follows the flow of your text, even if the text is not formed in a rectangular block.
4. Position the cursor where you want the text to be inserted.
5. Right-click the title bar, click Edit, and then click Paste.
   
   NOTE: You cannot paste text to either a command prompt window or an MS-DOS-based program if either the command prompt or the program is running in full-screen mode.

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