Windows normally keeps only the last thing you copied, but clipboard history saves the last 25 items, including text, links and images, so you can paste something you copied earlier. You open it with Windows + V. This guide shows how to turn it on, view and paste items, pin favorites, sync across devices, and clear it, in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Quick Answer
Press Windows + V. If clipboard history is off, click Turn on. From then on, Windows + V shows the items you’ve copied; click one to paste it.
Turn On Clipboard History
- Press Windows + V and click Turn on, or
- Go to Settings > System > Clipboard and switch on Clipboard history.
Only items copied after turning it on are saved.
View and Paste From Clipboard History
- Click where you want to paste.
- Press Windows + V.
- Click an item to paste it, or use the arrow keys and press Enter.
Click the ⋯ on an item to Pin it (pinned items stay after restarts and when you clear history) or Delete it. In Windows 11, the panel also includes emoji, GIFs, kaomoji and symbols, and newer builds offer paste as plain text.
Clipboard History Limits
- Up to 25 items; older unpinned items drop off.
- Each item can be up to 4 MB; larger images or text aren’t saved.
- Supports text, HTML and bitmap images, not files copied in File Explorer.
- History (except pinned items) clears when you restart.
Sync Your Clipboard Across Devices
- Go to Settings > System > Clipboard.
- Turn on Sync across your devices (sign in with a Microsoft account).
- Choose Automatically sync text that I copy or Manually sync.
Only text syncs, and only to PCs signed in with the same account. The Microsoft SwiftKey keyboard on Android can also sync clipboard text with your PC.
Clear Clipboard History
- Press Windows + V and click Clear all, or
- Settings > System > Clipboard > Clear clipboard data > Clear.
Clear it after copying passwords or sensitive details, or turn clipboard history off on shared PCs.
View Only the Current Clipboard
Without history turned on, the only way to “see” the clipboard is to paste it (Ctrl + V) into a document or text box. Older Windows versions had a Clipboard Viewer (clipbrd.exe), but it isn’t included in Windows 10 or 11.
For all the copy, cut, and paste shortcuts, see how to copy and paste on Windows 11.
Troubleshooting
- Windows + V does nothing: check Settings > System > Clipboard. On work PCs, a policy may disable clipboard history.
- Items missing: the item may be over 4 MB, copied from a private browser window, or from an app that excludes its content (like password managers).
- Clipboard not working at all: restart Windows Explorer in Task Manager, or restart the PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the clipboard stored?
In memory. Pinned items are stored on your device so they survive restarts.
Is clipboard history private?
It’s stored locally unless you turn on sync. Anyone using your account on the PC can open it.
Is it the same on Windows 10?
Yes. Windows + V and Settings > System > Clipboard work the same. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025.
Summary
- Press Windows + V and click Turn on.
- Press Windows + V to paste earlier items.
- Pin favorites and clear sensitive items.
- Turn on sync to share text across PCs.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.