Edit text file cygwin

To see more commands, simply enlarge the window by dragging it from one of its corners. The carat represents the Control key, while the M represents the Alt key. M-U is the command to undo the last action. Type into your file. If you need to move the cursor, use the arrow keys. Since you've already given your file a name, you won't be asked to give this file a name.

However, if you started a file without giving it a name by just running nano from the prompt with no file name , you'll be asked to type the name for your new file and press Enter to save. This returns you to the command prompt. You can reopen the file you created in Nano by typing nano filename just as you did before. Method 2. This will open a new terminal in any version of Linux. Vi is one of the oldest and most standardized Unix-based text editors.

Vim stands for "Vi iMproved," which means it's like Vi but with more features. On most modern versions of Linux, running vi at the prompt will actually launch Vim instead. The basic commands are the same for both editors. Vi has more of a learning curve than Nano, but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy to use.

Go to the directory in which you want to create your file. Alternatively, you can type vim filename to make sure the file opens in Vim instead of Vi. The "vi" part of this command selects the Vim text editor as the program to use. Replace filename with the name you wish to assign to your new file. For a file named "sample. Press the i key. When you open Vi or Vim, it opens in a special mode called Command mode. Pressing the I key will place you into Insert mode, which is where you'll do your typing.

Type your text. While you're in Insert mode, you can simply type as you typically would for any other text document. To go to the next line, just press Enter.

Press the Esc key. This takes you back to Command mode. Command mode is where you'll do things like save, copy, paste, and quit. You can use the arrow keys to move around the document while you're in Command mode in both Vi and Vim. Vim also lets you use the arrow keys to move in Insert mode. Return to Insert mode at any time by pressing the i key.

Improve this answer. Majenko Majenko Didn't work Try using the Windows runas command then? Running cygwin as administrator allowed me to edit the file. Thanks for your help — Nope. Nope You should accept the newer answer posted by Philipp if you ever sign on again!

Sign up or log in Sign up using Google. Sign up using Facebook. Sign up using Email and Password. Post as a guest Name. If you have the disk space I recommend just letting the Cygwin installer have at it and deploy everything I am glancing at it every now and then while watching the F1 race. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

Create a free Team What is Teams? Collectives on Stack Overflow. Learn more. Asked 10 years, 5 months ago. Active 7 years, 1 month ago.

Viewed 78k times. Improve this question. Add a comment. Active Oldest Votes. Improve this answer. How quickly will I get my solution? We can't guarantee quick solutions - Experts Exchange isn't a help desk.

We're a community of IT professionals committed to sharing knowledge. Our experts volunteer their time to help other people in the technology industry learn and succeed. Plans and Pricing. Contact Us.