5 Fixes for Remote Desktop Copy-Paste Not Working on Windows

Pankil is a Civil Engineer turned freelance writer. Since his arrival at Guiding Tech in 2021, he delves into the world of how-tos, and troubleshooting guides for Android, iOS, and Windows. Besides his new-found love for mechanical keyboards, he’s a disciplined footfall fan and loves international travel with his wife.

Fix 1: Configure Remote Desktop Connection Settings

A common reason you may be unable to copy and paste data during a Remote Desktop session is if you have previously disabled clipboard usage. Hence, it’s the first thing to check.

Step 1:Click thesearch iconon the taskbar > typeremote desktop connection> pressEnter.

Step 2:Click onShow Options.

Step 3:Switch to theLocal Resourcestab > check theClipboardbox. Then, click theMorebutton.

Step 4:Select theDrivescheckbox > clickOK.

Fix 2: Enable Clipboard History

When you copy any text or image on Windows, it is automatically saved to the clipboard history. However, if you have disabled the clipboard history feature on Windows, it may stop the copy-paste function from working during Remote Desktop sessions. Here’s how to fix it.

Step 1:Press theWindows key + Ito launch the Settings app > head toSystem > Clipboard.

Step 2:Turn on the toggle next toClipboard history.

Step 3:Enable the toggle forShare across your devices.

Fix 3: Run the RDP Clipboard Monitor Process

The RDP Clipboard Monitor process (rdpclip.exe) on Windows manages the copy-paste function during Remote Desktop sessions. If this RDP clipboard service is not working properly for some reason, you cannot copy and paste data during your Remote Desktop session. Here’s how to fix that.

Step 1:PressCtrl + Shift + Escto open the Task Manager > clickRun new task.

Step 2:Typerdpclip.exein the Open field > clickOK.

Fix 4: Modify Group Policy Settings

Incorrectly configured Group Policy settings can also stop the copy-paste functionality from working during Remote Desktop sessions on Windows. To rule this out, review the Group Policy settings on your PC using these steps:

Note:The Group Policy Editor is only accessible on Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. If your PC is running Windows Home, skip to the next solution.

Step 1:Press theWindows key + Rto launch the Run dialog box > typegpedit.mscin the Open field > pressEnter.

Step 2:In the Local Group Policy Editor window, use the left pane to navigate to the following folder:

Step 3:Double-click theDo not allow Clipboard redirectionpolicy in the right pane.

Step 4:SelectDisabled> hitApply>OK.

Step 5:Similarly, set theDo not allow drive redirectionpolicy toDisabled.

Fix 5: Modify Registry Files

If you can’t access the Group Policy settings or if the issue persists, try modifying a few registry files to allow clipboard redirection.

Step 1:Press theWindows key + Rto launch the Run utility. Typeregeditin the Open field and pressEnter.

Step 2:In the Registry Editor window, paste the following path in the address bar at the top and pressEnter.

Step 3:Right-click on theTerminal Serviceskey > go toNew> selectDWORD (32-bit) Value> name itDisableClipboardRedirection.

Step 4:Double-click theDisableClipboardRedirection DWORD> type0in the value data field > clickOK.

Step 5:Right-click on theTerminal Serviceskey again > go toNew> selectDWORD (32-bit) Value> name the DWORDDisableDriveRedirection.

Step 6:Double-clickthe newly created DWORD > set the value data to0> clickOK.

Restart your PC after this, and you should not experience any problems.

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Last updated on 07 August, 2024

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