The Copy as Path shell command that’s built into Windows Vista inspired me to write a script that copies the target hyperlink of an .URL file when passed as a parameter. After following the steps in this article, you’ll see a Copy Target URL context menu option when you right-click on an Internet Shortcut (.URL) file. Clicking this option copies the hyperlink of the file to the Windows 7/Vista Clipboard.
Add "Copy Target URL" command to the context menu
1. Download CopyURL.vbs and save to Desktop.
2. Move the file CopyURL.vbs to your Windows directory.
3. Double-click CopyURL.vbs to run it.
4. To add the Copy Target URL, type INSTALL when you see this dialog
5. Press ENTER and you’ll get the confirmation message.
The Copy Target URL command should be available in the right-click menu.
Note to Windows 7 Users
In order for this script to work in Windows 7, follow these steps first:
Click Start, Default Programs
Click Set your default programs
Select Internet Explorer
Click Set this program as default, and click OK.
Removing the Option
To remove the Copy Target URL context menu option, double-click CopyURL.vbs in your Windows folder. Type the word UNINSTALL in the input box that will be presented. After you see the confirmation message, simply delete the file CopyURL.vbs from your Windows directory.
Related Posts
- Add “Copy as Path” Option to the Context Menu in Windows XP
- Add “Open File Location” To the Context Menu for Shortcuts in Windows XP
- Print Directory Listing to Clipboard From the Context Menu in Windows XP and Windows Vista
- How to Add Quick Launch (Create Shortcut) Option to the Send to Menu in Windows 7, Vista and XP
- Firefox Add-Ons to Copy WebPage Title and URL to the Clipboard
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@jcimarron: It works fine here (Windows 7 64-bit) after resetting IE as default. Pls send the .URL file type association report to my mail id (via contact form).
I went into Registry and find that after running the .vbs script the Data column for “IE.AssocFile.URL\shell\CopyURL\command is entered as ” wscript.exe %systemroot%\copyurl.vbs “%1″ ” and for “IE.AssocFile.URL\shell\CopyURL\” the Data column reads ” Copy Target URL “. That seems to be correct based on looking at the content of the .vbs file. But no “Copy Target URL” appears in context menu when right clicking on a Favorite (.URL) file.
@Ramesh Srinivasan–Thanks for your response.
Yes, I did that.
Do you have experience using Win7 64bit? (And the 32 bit version of IE8?)
MoonShellTools’ “Copy Url” will not work with Win7 64bit (even when installed into the Program Files (x86) folder), but supposedly does work with Win7 32bit.
@jcimarron: Pls see “Note to Windows 7 Users”
Does not work for me. Win7 Ultimate 64-bit, IE8.
@Greg: See the Windows 7 note added in the article.
This does not work on my Windows 7 :(.
this is very useful for links that are re-routed. I need to get the original link before opening the page.
Thank you!
very nice work! thank you for this :)