Copy and paste through Remote Desktop (and fix the clipboard)

Copy and paste between your computer and the remote desktop is handled by a small program in the session called rdpclip. When it gets stuck, paste stops working in one or both directions. Here is how to turn the clipboard on, fix it when it breaks, and when to use something else.

Make sure the clipboard is enabled

Windows (mstsc): Show Options → Local Resources, tick Clipboard under Local devices and resources, then connect.

Windows App (Mac, iPhone, Android): edit the PC and make sure clipboard redirection is turned on in its device or redirection settings.

The setting applies only to new connections, so disconnect and reconnect after changing it.

Fix a clipboard that stopped working

Restart rdpclip inside the remote session. Open PowerShell (or Command Prompt) in the session:

taskkill /IM rdpclip.exe /F
rdpclip.exe

Try copying again. This fixes the large majority of cases without disconnecting.

If it still does not work:

1. Disconnect (do not sign out) and reconnect.
2. Copy plain text first, for example from Notepad, to rule out problems with one particular app.
3. On your own computer, close apps that monitor the clipboard (clipboard managers, some remote-support tools) and try again.

Copying files, not just text

You can copy files in File Explorer and paste them across, in both directions. It suits a few small files. For large files or folders, share a local drive instead, or use SFTP: Transfer files to a Windows server.

Keyboard shortcuts inside RDP

• Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V work as normal. On a Mac, Cmd + C / Cmd + V are mapped for you in Windows App.
• Ctrl + Alt + End opens the Windows security screen in the remote session.
• Windows key shortcuts go to the remote session only in full screen (configurable under Local Resources → Keyboard in mstsc).

Next steps

• Multiple monitors and display scaling in RDP
• Set up a private remote work desktop