Your Windows Clipboard is a powerful tool that can do much more than copy and paste. From pinning frequently used items to syncing them across devices, here are four great tips to help you get the most out of the Windows Clipboard.
Paste Clipboard Items Without Text Formatting
When you copy text to the Clipboard, Windows preserves its original formatting. This can be helpful in some cases. However, it can sometimes disrupt the appearance of your document and may require extra effort to remove unwanted formatting.
Fortunately, the Windows Clipboard provides an option to paste text without the original formatting.
To do this, you first need to enable Clipboard History if you haven’t done so already. Then, open the Clipboard by pressing Win + V. Find the text you want to paste without formatting.
Now, click the three-dot menu icon next to the item and select the Paste as text icon.
This option is especially useful when you are gathering information from multiple sources. You can use it to integrate copied text into your notes or reports without an inconsistent look.
Pin frequently used Clipboard items
One of the best features of the Windows Clipboard is the ability to pin copied items so that they remain accessible indefinitely. This is especially useful for text snippets, URLs, or images that you frequently refer to.
For example, if you often paste your email address, a specific paragraph, or an important image into documents or forms, pinning these items can save you the hassle of having to repeatedly search for them or re-copy them each time.
Using this feature is straightforward. First, copy the item to the Windows Clipboard. Then press Win + V to open Clipboard history and click the pin icon in the bottom-right corner of that entry.
Once pinned, the item will remain accessible, even if you clear the Clipboard history or restart your PC.
Sync Clipboard history across devices
Windows 10 and 11 offer a handy Clipboard sync feature that allows you to seamlessly share your copied text across multiple devices. You can sync your Clipboard from your desktop, laptop, and Android phone, provided they’re signed in to the same Microsoft account.
This lets you copy text, images, and other content on one device and paste it on another, saving you the need to email yourself notes or retype information across multiple devices.
To enable Clipboard syncing in Windows, open Settings > System > Clipboard and turn on Clipboard history across devices.
By default, Windows will sync every item you copy, giving you access to it across all your connected devices. However, if you want more control over what gets shared, you can set it to manually sync only specific items.
Similarly, you need to enable this feature on other Windows devices as well. If you want to sync your PC’s clipboard history with your Android phone, you need to download the Microsoft SwiftKey AI keyboard on it and enable the clipboard syncing feature from its Settings menu.
Clear unnecessary clipboard items regularly
In addition to pinned items, the Windows clipboard can store up to 25 items at a time on your device. This may not seem like a lot, but it can quickly clutter your clipboard and force you to scroll multiple times to find the copied item. Removing unnecessary items from your clipboard history helps keep it manageable and ensures there’s always room for important items when you need them.
You can delete individual items in the Clipboard history by clicking the three-dot menu next to an entry and selecting the trash icon. Alternatively, you can use the Clear All button to instantly erase the entire Clipboard history. This won’t affect your pinned items, so your essential content will remain saved.
The Windows Clipboard is a great tool for boosting productivity. It’s something everyone can benefit from, whether you’re a student, a professional, or just trying to stay organized. By using these tips, you can enhance your Clipboard experience, save time, and streamline your workflow. So go ahead, make the most of these features, and change the way you work with Windows.