These Are the Best Clipboard Managers for Windows

The moment you copy something to your computer, it goes to the clipboard. When you paste, the item is removed from the clipboard and copied to a new location. Unlike Macs , your Windows PC comes with a competent clipboard manager, but it still falls short in some areas. If you’re looking for a way to have more control over copied items, consider installing one of these clipboard manager alternatives for Windows.

You can use the default option

On Windows 10 and 11, you can simply use the Windows-V keyboard shortcut to open a floating menu where you can enable the Clipboard Manager. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > System > Clipboard > Clipboard History and enable it there. This clipboard manager can handle your most important tasks and store multiple clipboard entries including text and images. However, it is limited to only 25 entries and does not allow you to easily edit what is on the clipboard.

Ditto offers more settings

Photo: Khamosh Pathak.

If you’re looking for a lightweight, free alternative that does more than Windows’ built-in clipboard manager, Ditto is a good option. Ditto allows you to customize how many entries you want to keep in your clipboard history and when those entries should be deleted. There’s a handy search feature to help you find anything you’ve copied previously, and you have the option to merge multiple entries together. Ditto will save everything that can be copied to the Windows clipboard.

ClipClip keeps your clipboard organized

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For advanced users, ClipClip is one of the best options on Windows. One of its biggest advantages over other options is organization: the app lets you sort copied items into neat tree menus, making them easier to find later. If you took multiple screenshots, they will all appear in a separate folder. In fact, each post type will have its own folder, and ClipClip’s search feature will help you find what you need. This app also allows you to create your own workflows to automate tasks, such as quickly converting full URLs into shortened versions. You can see ClipClip’s activities on this page .

1Clipboard synced on Windows and Mac

Credit: 1Clipboard

Those looking for a free clipboard manager that syncs between Windows and macOS should consider 1Clipboard. It uses your Google Drive account to sync your clipboard between devices, meaning no data is sent to unknown third parties. 1Clipboard stores your clipboard history, allows you to mark your favorite clipboard items, and syncs quite well. However, it lacks automation or other advanced features.

ArsClip allows you to create your own macros.

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ArsClip is a lightweight, free clipboard manager with advanced features that some other free options lack. It lets you record your own macros (one command that automatically runs multiple commands) to automate copy and paste, and even lets you enable a feature that syncs your clipboard with Android and other Windows devices. ArsClip is a portable app that doesn’t require installation, but its interface is basic and only supports Windows 10, which can be a deal breaker.

Pasteboard has a clear user interface.

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If a nice user interface is your top priority, you should choose Pasteboard. It has the basic features you need, such as unlimited clipboard history and the ability to organize your saved items. The app doesn’t yet support automation and synchronization between devices, but it looks great and is very easy to use.

Clipboard Fusion is an advanced cross-platform option.

Credit: Clipboard Merge

Clipboard Fusion is an advanced clipboard manager for people who want a cross-platform option. The paid version allows you to sync your clipboard history between your Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices, which is useful for those who switch between ecosystems. Note that this runs through the company’s servers, which can be a privacy issue since you’re trusting the third-party software developer with everything you copy. Notably, apps on non-PC platforms aren’t as good as the Windows version, so the sync feature works best if you copy the data to Windows first and then paste it through other non-Windows devices. However, the Windows version has many great features that allow you to set up triggers to automate clipboard management and write your own macros.

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