Most of us do it without thinking because copying and pasting are such staples of our technological lives. However, there are situations when we make a mistake and copy something over instead of pasting it. It’s as if something irreplaceable has been gone.
Which is why I absolutely require a clipboard manager. If someone sends you a hilarious meme that you just have to share in the company Slack channel, you may use these tools to go back and review everything you copied so that you don’t accidentally delete a crucial phone number or address.
While there are many different clipboard managers available for download, users of Windows 7 and later will not need to instal a third-party programme because one is already included in the operating system. The catch is that it’s not simple to locate.
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Introduction to Clipboard History in Windows 10
Clipboard History in Windows 10 is an advanced version of the classic clipboard feature. It allows users to save multiple items to the clipboard, such as text, images, and HTML content, and access them later. This feature fundamentally changes how users interact with the copy-paste function, making it more versatile and efficient.
Evolution of the Clipboard
Historically, the clipboard in Windows could only hold one item at a time. If you copied something new, it replaced whatever was previously there. With Windows 10, Microsoft revolutionized this by introducing Clipboard History, allowing users to store and access multiple items.
Key Features of Clipboard History
1. Multi-Item Storage
Stores multiple items (text, images, HTML) that you copy, allowing you to access a list of recently copied items.
2. Easy Access
Clipboard items can be easily accessed using a simple keyboard shortcut (Windows key + V).
3. Pinning Important Items
Users can pin items they use frequently, ensuring they are not cleared away when the history is full or when the device is restarted.
4. Synchronization Across Devices
Clipboard History can sync across devices when signed in with a Microsoft account, allowing for seamless access to clipboard contents on any Windows 10 device.
Benefits of Using Clipboard History
1. Enhanced Productivity
Saves time and effort by keeping a history of copied items, eliminating the need to copy-paste the same items repeatedly.
2. Improved Workflow
Facilitates a smoother workflow, especially for those who frequently use copy-paste for data entry, coding, or content creation.
3. Easy Information Management
Helps in managing information more effectively, particularly when dealing with multiple data sources.
4. Cross-Device Convenience
Syncing across devices offers the convenience of accessing clipboard contents whether you’re on your laptop, tablet, or desktop.
Activating the Windows Clipboard History
Get started by launching your computer’s Settings menu. The Clipboard menu item can be found in the System menu. To activate the clipboard history, simply toggle the switch on.
If you have this feature enabled, pressing Win+V will bring up a pop-up window where you may see your 25 most recently clipped things.
Use the up and down arrow keys or your mouse to browse through your most recent clips. When you click an item (or press enter if you’re using the keyboard), the selected text will be copied and pasted into the active programme.
Remember that you can save items for later by clicking the pin button in the right-hand corner of each one. This is helpful if, for instance, you find yourself reiterating the same point again and over.
Joining Forces With Other Machines
We’ve covered how some apps enable cross-device copy and paste, but Windows users already have this functionality at their fingertips. Synchronizing your clipboard is helpful if you frequently switch between devices or if you need to transmit information from your phone to your laptop quickly and efficiently.
To begin, go to the Clipboard settings page again and toggle on the Sync option for all of your devices. If you have more than one device logged into the same Microsoft account, Windows will prompt you to sign in before copying anything.
It’s important to remember that you’ll need to activate the feature individually for each gadget. I did the test between two machines, one running Windows 10 and the other Windows 11. It synced perfectly, albeit I had to restart one of the PCs after turning it on before the clips appeared.
Clipboard synchronisation requires the October 2018 update or later for Windows 10, so keep that in mind if you’re using Windows 10.
Android-Compatible Clipboard Syncing
Having a clipboard that is compatible with both your computer and your phone is quite convenient if you find yourself frequently jumping between the two devices. If you’re using an Android device with version 5.0 or later, you can sync your clipboard with a computer running Windows 10 or Windows 11, but only if you instal the Swiftkey keyboard on your phone.
That’s fine, though, because Swiftkey is a fantastic alternative to other keyboard programmes. Set Swiftkey as your default keyboard to share your clipboard throughout all of your devices. The next step is to access Swiftkey’s preferences and activate Sync clipboard history.
After logging into the app with your Microsoft account, you’ll be able to paste content from your phone onto your computer and vice versa. While Swiftkey is compatible with iOS and iPadOS, this clipboard management capability is not yet available on Apple devices.
How to Use Clipboard History in Windows 10
1. Enabling Clipboard History
Clipboard History is not enabled by default. To turn it on, go to Settings > System > Clipboard and toggle on ‘Clipboard History.’
2. Accessing Clipboard History
Press the Windows key + V to bring up the Clipboard History interface, which shows a list of items you’ve copied recently.
3. Managing Clipboard Items
Hover over an item in the Clipboard History and click the pin icon to keep it or the delete icon to remove it.
4. Syncing Across Devices
In the Clipboard settings, under ‘Sync across devices,’ toggle on ‘Sync text that I copy’ to enable synchronization.
Tips for Maximizing Clipboard History
1. Regularly Clear Unneeded Items
To keep Clipboard History organized, regularly clear items that are no longer needed.
2. Use Pinning for Frequent Items
Pin frequently used items like email templates or code snippets for quick access.
3. Be Mindful of Sensitive Information
When syncing across devices, be cautious about copying sensitive information that you may not want to access on all devices.
4. Utilize Third-Party Clipboard Managers
For more advanced features, consider using third-party clipboard managers that offer additional functionalities.
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Conclusion
Clipboard History in Windows 10 is a game-changing feature that significantly enhances the copy-paste functionality, offering greater flexibility and efficiency in handling multiple items. By understanding and utilizing this feature, users can streamline their workflow, boost productivity, and enjoy a more cohesive experience across Windows devices.
As part of Windows 10’s suite of productivity tools, Clipboard History stands out as a simple yet powerful feature, making everyday computing tasks more manageable and efficient.
