Enable Windows Clipboard History | Generated by AI
Enabling Clipboard History in Windows
Before using shortcuts, ensure the feature is enabled (it’s available in Windows 10 version 1809 and later, including Windows 11):
- Open Settings (press
Windows key + I). - Go to System > Clipboard.
- Toggle on Clipboard history.
This allows Windows to store up to 25 recent items (text, HTML, images) for 1 hour by default, or longer if synced to a Microsoft account.
Using Shortcuts to Access and Read Clipboard History
The primary keyboard shortcut to open and read your clipboard history is Windows key + V. Here’s how to use it step by step:
-
Copy multiple items: Use
Ctrl + Cto copy text, images, or other content as needed. Windows will automatically save them to history. -
Open clipboard history: Press
Windows key + V. This launches a searchable pane on the right side of your screen showing thumbnails or previews of recent clips (most recent at the top). - Navigate and read:
- Use arrow keys (↑/↓) to scroll through the list.
- Type to search: As the pane opens, you can immediately start typing to filter items (e.g., search for a keyword in copied text).
- Preview: Hover over or arrow to an item to see a preview without pasting.
- Paste from history:
- Select an item with arrow keys and press Enter to paste it at your cursor.
- Or click the item if using the mouse.
- Close the pane: Press
EscorWindows key + Vagain.
Additional Tips
- Pin items: In the pane, click the pin icon next to an item to keep it indefinitely.
- Clear history: Right-click an item > Delete, or go to Settings > System > Clipboard > Clear.
- Sync across devices: Enable Clipboard history sync in Settings for access on other Windows PCs signed into the same Microsoft account.
- If you want to customize the shortcut (e.g., remap it), use third-party tools like AutoHotkey, but the default
Win + Vis built-in and reliable.
For more details, see the official Microsoft guide: Clipboard History for Productivity.