The transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11 was smooth. However, Windows 11 users have reported issues after the upgrade, and copy-and-paste error is one of them. According to Windows users, the keyboard shortcut for copy and paste is more likely to malfunction.
This might not sound like a serious glitch except for those reliant on copy-and-paste functions. Yet, it’s easy to fix the copy and paste not working on Windows 11. Check out the following solutions to resume the copy-and-paste shortcut like on Windows 10.
1. Use the Mouse Instead of the Keyboard Shortcut
Keyboard shortcuts for copy and paste are Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, respectively. If you can’t copy and paste using these shortcuts, you should try copying and pasting through the mouse or trackpad. Select what you need to copy and right-click your mouse over there.
Furthermore, select the Copy option and go back to the space where you want it to stay or pasted. Now, right-click again and choose the Paste option from the pop-up menu. This should provide you with the scope to handle the copy-paste keyboard shortcut trouble. If your mouse works perfectly for the copy and pastes function, then this hack should work. However, this isn’t a permanent solution to the keyboard shortcut hassle.
2. Quit Background and Unnecessary Tasks
Too many background programs can turn your computer unresponsive, no matter how strong your processors and memory are. Unnecessary background programs can interfere with each other and can trigger system bugs. Users have confirmed that they could fix the copy and paste issue only after they closed the editing or video-playing applications.
You can give the same method a try. Instead of closing every application one by one, you can try these instructions:
- Right-click your Windows 11 computer’s Start menu. Select the Task Manager option from the menu.
- Check if you are under the Processes tab. If not, click on the Processes tab.
- Next, you have to right-click each process that you need to quit.
- After that, you need to click on End Task.
This will end the corresponding process. Repeat this to end every process that you don’t require right now.
3. Restart rdpclip.exe and Explorer.exe Processes
If quitting all the inessential processes wasn’t enough to revive the copy and paste functionality on your Windows 11 PC, you can try this method. Restarting the rdpclip.exe process is crucial if you can’t copy and paste while operating a remote desktop. You have to restart two processes via Task Manager and check if it works. Here’s what you need to follow:
- Right-click the Taskbar and click on Taskbar Settings.
- Afterwards, you need to find out the rdpclip.exe process and right-click it.
- Proceed with the End Task process.
- Once you have ended the task, go to the File tab. Navigate to the Run New Task option.
- Type in rdpclip.exe and press the Enter key to recover the copy and paste shortcut functionality.
You can restart File Explorer or Explorer.exe on Windows 11 using the following guidelines:
- Open Task Manager from the Context menu. You can use the Windows+X shortcut or right-click the Start menu to bring the Context menu.
- After you have opened Task Manager, you need to find out the Windows Explorer process.
- Right-click on explorer.exe or the process for Windows Explorer.
- Then, you need to select the Restart option.
Test if you can use the Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V shortcuts for copy and paste, respectively.
4. Resolve Corrupt System Files
Broken or corrupt system files might hinder your experience with copy and paste shortcuts on your Windows 11 PC. You must use an administrator account to execute the right commands and patch corrupt system files.
Therefore, sign into your PC’s admin account and follow the steps below:
- Hit the Windows button on the keyboard.
- Start typing ‘cmd’ and wait for Command Prompt to appear in search results.
- Make a right-click on the Command Prompt option. Choose the option that tells, ‘Run as administrator’.
- You have to execute sfc commands when the Command Prompt appears. Now, type in ‘sfc/scannow’ command and hit the Enter key.
- Your computer will immediately launch a system verification process, which can take longer than you think.
Hold tight until the verification reaches 100%. Don’t withdraw the scan in the middle of the process. You’re good to go if your PC notifies you with a message saying, ‘Windows resource protection did not find any integrity violations. You can type in ‘exit’ on the Command Prompt and press the Enter key. Check if the copy and paste issue is still there.
5. Erase History Log on the Clipboard
Users have complained that a full clipboard cache can restrict the copy-paste availability. Hence, you should clear the clipboard history to fix the issue. If you have enabled clipboard on your Windows 11 PC, then you should not ignore the following steps:
- Hit the Windows key and V key all together to explore the Clipboard.
- Next, you have to select the Clear All option.
This will free up the clipboard cache. Test if it helps you with the cop-paste situation.
6. Go for a Clean Boot on Your Windows 11 PC
Clean Boot allows a Windows device to carry on with minimal startup programs and drivers. In addition, it’s a great tool to diagnose if anything is not working on your Windows system.
You can perform a clean boot on your Windows 11 PC to solve the copy-paste not working issue. Here’s what you need to do:
- Click the Windows icon and start typing ‘MSConfig’. Select the System Configuration Utility from search results.
- Next, head towards the General tab. Under that tab, you need to choose the Selective Startup option.
- Ensure that you uncheck the box next to the Load Startup Items option. However, check the boxes next to the Use Original Boot Configuration and Load System Services options.
- After that, you have to go to the Services tab. Check the box besides the option that says, ‘Hide All Microsoft Services’.
- You have to select the Disable All option. Now, you can click the OK button and reboot your device.
Your Windows device will be put into a Clean Boot state. If you can use the copy-paste keyboard shortcut, the error is fixed. Otherwise, you must uncheck the Load System Services option under the General tab and repeat the process. You can simply undo all these changes if you need to go back to the usual startup state.
Additional Solution
Chances are there that your Windows 11 installation is corrupted if you still can’t use keyboard shortcuts for copy-paste functions. You can install the Refresh Windows Tool to reinstall Windows 11 and start fresh.
Install the tool from Microsoft Store and navigate to its Settings. Go to Update, followed by the Recovery option. Then, you have to hit the Reset This PC option.
On a contrary note, you can keep your personal files with a clean installation of Windows 11 on your PC. However, this will remove the old Windows 11 installation and the applications installed on the device.
Make sure that you agree to the UAC confirmation and Licence terms. Hopefully, you will be able to mitigate the copy-paste
Book a Service with Urban Clap
If none of the fixes works for you, you can contact Urban Clap for any laptop issues and eliminate them once and all. The proficient technician will help you to resolve every glitch in no time, and you will get the service within your budget. So, ask for a service quote today!
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