Easily access all items previously copied to Windows 10 clipboard.
Not many people know this, but Windows 10 is capable of retaining much more than the last item copied to the clipboard. Microsoft’s operating system indeed includes a history capable of keeping several elements in the clipboard in memory, so that you can use them later without having to recopy it.
Disabled by default, Windows Clipboard History can also sync across all your devices signed in to the same Microsoft account, making it easy to find your clipboard content, no matter what device you use. Here’s how to activate and use it.
1. Open Windows settings
Click on the Start menu and then on the cogwheel to access the operating system settings. Then enter the System options.
Scroll through the options in the left column and go to the Clipboard menu.
2. Activate Clipboard History
In the Clipboard settings window, turn on Windows Clipboard History.
3. Enable clipboard data synchronization
This step is optional, but if you want, you can turn on syncing your clipboard content across all your devices signed in to the same Microsoft account.
Windows offers two options: automatically sync the text you copy or, if you’re worried about your confidential data, manually choose what to sync from the Clipboard History.
If the feature is available on Windows, you still have to wait on mobile. The feature is expected to be available soon on Android, through Microsoft’s proprietary Swiftkey keyboard.
4. Access the contents of the Clipboard
To paste an item from the Windows clipboard history, place the input cursor in the application where you want to paste the item.
Then use the Windows + V key combination to view the clipboard history at the bottom right of the screen, and simply click on the content you want to paste to make it appear in your app.
Windows Clipboard History not only stores text, but can also save the images you copy.
You can use it with all software that supports copy and paste, obviously including your usual office software, as well as your web browser.