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Enable Clipboard History Sync Across Windows 11 PCs

Clipboard history lets you reuse previously copied text and synchronize supported items between Windows PCs. Enable synchronization and verify it works without installing additional software.

by@guidox updated:10/30/26 time:5 min level:Beginner works on:Windows 10, Windows 11
TL;DR

Enable Clipboard history and Clipboard history across your devices under Windows Settings. Sign in with the same Microsoft account on both computers and select automatic text synchronization.

Before you start

Requirements

  • Two Windows 11 PCs with an internet connection.
  • The same Microsoft account signed in on both computers.
  • Permission to modify Windows Settings.
Step by step

Instructions

01

Check your Windows account

Open **Settings > Accounts > Your info** on the first computer. Confirm that Windows is signed in with the Microsoft account you intend to use for synchronization. Repeat this check on the second computer.

02

Enable clipboard history

Open **Settings > System > Clipboard** on the first PC. Set **Clipboard history** to **On** to allow Windows to retain multiple copied items. The clipboard history panel will now be available through the Windows key + V shortcut.

03

Enable cross-device synchronization

Stay in **Settings > System > Clipboard** and find **Clipboard history across your devices**. Switch it to **On** and select **Automatically sync text that I copy**. This enables automatic synchronization of supported text entries through your account.

04

Configure the second computer

Open **Settings > System > Clipboard** on your second PC. Enable **Clipboard history** and **Clipboard history across your devices**, then select **Automatically sync text that I copy**. Both computers should now have matching synchronization settings.

05

Test clipboard synchronization

Copy a short sentence in **Notepad** on the first computer using Ctrl + C. On the second computer, press Windows key + V after allowing time for synchronization. Select the copied text when it appears to confirm that cross-device synchronization works.

⚠ warningAutomatically synchronized text is uploaded through Microsoft's clipboard sync service. Avoid copying passwords, recovery codes, or other sensitive information while automatic synchronization is enabled.
Troubleshooting

Common issues

Clipboard history is empty when pressing Windows key + V.

Open Settings > System > Clipboard and confirm Clipboard history is enabled. Copy a new text item and reopen the panel.

Clipboard items do not appear on the second computer.

Confirm both devices are online, use the same Microsoft account, and have Clipboard history across your devices enabled. Check that Automatically sync text that I copy is selected.

Older clipboard entries keep disappearing.

Clipboard history has a 25-entry limit and normally clears unpinned items after a restart. Open the clipboard panel and use the item's three-dot menu to pin entries you need to preserve.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Does clipboard synchronization work without a Microsoft account?

Local clipboard history works without cloud synchronization, but cross-device synchronization requires a supported Microsoft or work account.

Does Windows synchronize every copied file?

No. Clipboard synchronization primarily supports text; it does not function as a complete file-sharing service.

Where is the official documentation?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/using-the-clipboard

How to undo this

Open Settings > System > Clipboard on both PCs and turn off Clipboard history across your devices. Turn off Clipboard history as well if you no longer want local history, and select Clear under Clear clipboard data to remove existing history except pinned items.

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