On Windows 10, copy and paste is one of those features that we use multiple times a day and we take for granted, but because the way we create content is changing quickly, starting with version 1809 (October 2018 Update), Windows 10 is introducing a new clipboard experience to overcome many of the limitations with the old experience, including the ability to sync your clips across devices.
In the new experience, you can still use the Ctrl + C to copy and Ctrl + V keyboard shortcut to paste, but if you use the Windows key + V keyboard shortcut, you’ll now access the new clipboard experience with your history.
Although it is handy to have access to the clipboard history, sometimes you may need to delete the history or remove certain items from your list, and the new experience offers multiple ways to do this.
In this guide, you’ll learn the different ways to clear the clipboard history on Windows 10 version 1809 (October 2018 Update).
- How to clear clipboard history on Windows 10
- How to completely clear clipboard history on Windows 10
- How to clear clipboard history items individually
How to clear clipboard history on Windows 10
In order to clear your clipboard history and those items synced across devices, do the following:
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Open Settings.
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Click on System.
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Click on Clipboard.
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Under “Clear clipboard data,” click the Clear button.
Clear clipboard history on Windows 10 version 1809
Once you’ve completed the steps, everything on your clipboard locally stored on your computer and on Microsoft will be deleted. However, items that you pinned in your clipboard experience will be preserved.
How to completely clear clipboard history on Windows 10
If you want to delete absolutely everything on the clipboard, including pinned items, you must turn off the clipboard experience using these steps:
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Open Settings.
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Click on System.
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Click on Clipboard.
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Turn off the Save multiple items toggle switch.
Completely clear dipobard history on Windows 10 version 1809
After completing the steps, you can turn on the toggle switch again to start with an experience completely clean. If you’re leaving the feature turned off, remember that disabling it does not disable the classic copy and paste functionality.
How to clear clipboard history items individually
Alternatively, if you’re only looking to delete a few items from the history, then you can use these steps:
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Use the Windows key + V to open the clipboard.
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Select the item.
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Click the delete (X) button on the top-right corner.
Delete clipboard items individually on Windows 10
Once you’ve completed the steps, only the items you deleted will be removed from your clipboard history.
Alternatively, you can also click the Clear all button in to top-right corner of the clipboard experience (Windows key + V).
If you can’t find these settings, it’s probably because you’re not running the version of Windows 10 that supports this feature. The clipboard experience is available starting Windows 10 October 2018 Update.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].