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How to Clear Clipboard in Windows 10

Copy and paste is a frequently used feature in Windows 10. Windows 10 has added a new feature to make accessing the clipboard easier with Win + V. With it, you’ll be able not only to see what has been copied but allows you to clear the clipboard in Windows 10.

Gaining access to your clipboard history has never been easier. Not only that, but you now have far more ways to clear your clipboard history in Windows 10. Being able to clear the Clipboard in Windows 10 is especially important when working with sensitive data. This makes learning how to empty your Clipboard not only handy but imperative.

Method 1. Clear Clipboard in Windows 10 via Settings

Going through Windows Settings is likely the simplest way to clear the clipboard in Windows 10.

Step 1. Head into Windows Settings and select System.

System in Windows 10 settings

Step 2. In the left side menu, select Clipboard.

Step 3. Then, in the main window, below Clear clipboard data, click the Clear button.

Clear clipboard data in Windows 10 settings

This method will clear out all of your Clipboard histories.

To no longer save pinned items to your clipboard history, toggle off the Clipboard History toggle.

Chipboard history in Windows 10 settings

Method 2. Empty Clipboard in Windows 10 via Command Prompt or PowerShell

You can empty the clipboard in Windows 10 using both Command Prompt and PowerShell.

Step 1. Launch Command Prompt as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the following command into the command line:

cmd /c “echo off | clip

Empty clipboard in Windows 10 using Command Prompt

Step 3. Press Enter.

Step 4. Close Command Prompt.

To perform the same command in PowerShell use the following:

[System.Windows.Forms.Clipboard]::Clear()

Empty clipboard in Windows 10 using PowerShell

Read More: How to Open PowerShell in Windows 10

Method 3. Clear Clipboard in Windows 10 by Using Windows + V

The new Win + V keyboard shortcut can also assist in clearing the clipboard in Windows 10. It’s also a highly efficient way to separate the various items saved to your clipboard.

Step 1. Press Win + V keys simultaneously to pull up the Clipboard window.

Step 2. To delete a specific item, select that item, click the triple dots in the top-right, and select Delete.

Delete specific item in Windows 10 clipboard

Step 3. To clear all history from the clipboard, click Clear all instead.

Clear all history in Windows 10 clipboard

Method 4. Empty Clipboard in Windows 10 by Creating A Shortcut

Did you know that you could clear your entire clipboard history in Windows 10 by using a shortcut? Well, you can. It’s a great way to clean up your clipboard quickly.

Step 1. Right-click an empty area on your desktop.

Step 2. From the window, click New, and then Shortcut.

Create a new shortcut in Windows 10

Step 3. In the “Type the location of the item:” section, type in the following:

cmd /c echo.|clip

Create a shortcut to clear chipboard in Windows 10

Step 4. Click Next.

Step 5. In the name box, type in “Clear Clipboard” or anything you can remember to associate with the purpose of the shortcut. Click Finish.

Create a Clear Clipboard shortcut in Windows 10

Step 6. Now, whenever you need to quickly clear your Clipboard History, just double-click the newly created shortcut.

Clear Clipboard shortcut in Windows 10

FAQs About Clipboard History in Windows 10

How Can I Disable Windows 10 Clipboard History?

To disable the option to track your Clipboard History, you can do the following:

  1. Head into Windows Settings and select System.
  2. In the left panel, select Clipboard.
  3. In the main window, toggle Clipboard History to Off.

This will remove the Win + V function and no longer track your Clipboard History.

The Above Methods Aren’t Working For Some Reason. Is There Anything Else I Can Try?

You’ve tried all of the above methods, and you still cannot manage to clear the Clipboard in Windows 10, there is still one more thing you can try. Just restarting your computer will clear everything from the Clipboard.

All things pinned to the Clipboard are automatically removed every time you restart or power down your computer. This is the definitive way always to ensure you can completely clear the clipboard in Windows 10.

Conclusion

You now know multiple ways to clear the Clipboard in Windows 10. Though your reasons may vary, clearing your clipboard is a wise practice that you should develop a habit for.

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