Copy Gmail image attachment directly to clipboard

Question

What is the easiest way to copy an image attachment in gmail onto the clipboard so I can paste it into another program? I would like to avoid littering my downloads directory with temporary files.

I feel like this is so simple and useful that I must be missing something.

My current process is:

1. Download image
2. 'Show in folder' from bottom bar (chrome, or download menu in firefox)
3. Open image from folder
4. Ctrl + C from image viewer
5. Close image viewer
6. Delete downloaded image from download directory
7. Close folder view
8. You are now back where you started but with the image on your clipboard

Example Email view

The preview window doesn't help, also only allowing downloading

Answer 1

I do not think this solution would be compatible with any programs (I tried Photoshop, GIMP, and MS Paint), but in Windows 10 you can simply drag images or attachments to an explorer window which would save some keypresses. You can also drag attachments or images to a new email message in Gmail. Not exactly what you want but this sounds more appropriate to submit as a feature suggestion for Gmail.