I had a peculiar issue with copying and pasting files from my local computer to a Remote Desktop session. I could copy and paste locally, but the option to paste would be grayed out on the Remote Desktop computer. There are several ways to solve this problem depending on what you are trying to copy and paste.
Client Settings
- Right-click on the RDP icon that you use to connect, then select “Edit“.
- Select the “Local Resources” tab.
- Check the “Clipboard” option. To allow file copying and pasting, select “More…” and proceed to step 4. If you just need the ability to copy and paste text and not files, stop here and click “OK“.
- Select the “Drives” option. Click “OK“, then “OK” again.
Server Settings
Windows 2016
In Windows 2016, these settings are controlled within Group Policy.
- Launch “gpedit.msc“.
- Navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “Remote Desktop Services” > “Remote Desktop Session Host“.
- Ensure “Do not allow Clipboard redirection” is set to “Not Configured” or “Disabled“.
Windows 2012
- Open “Server Manager“.
- Select “Remote Desktop” Services.
- Select “Collections“.
- Select “Tasks“, then choose “Edit Properties“.
- Under the “Client Settings” tab, ensure the “Clipboard” and “Drive” is enabled.
Windows 2008
- Launch “Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration” from the server.
- Under “Connections“, right-click the connection and select “Properties“.
- Select the “Client Settings” tab, and make sure the “Clipboard” box is unchecked. If you want to allow copying and pasting of files, make sure the Drive selection is unchecked. Click OK when done.
I should also note that if you have all of these settings configured correctly and things still don’t work, you may need to restart the server or just kill the rdpclip process.
This should be all you need to enable copying and pasting of files to your Remote Desktop session. I hope this tutorial has helped you. Please share your experience in the Comments section below.
David says
Thank you so much. Killing the process worked for me.
Raj says
I have a weird issue.. I can copy/paste various types of docs but not ooutlook files. I can not paste an email from outlook into RDP session, though I was able to do it in the past. any suggestion will be appreciated..
Thanks,
Gilbert says
Go to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services and make fDisableCdm = 0.
umer says
( Moky says
May 11, 2020 at 6:41 pm
Kill rdpclip.exe worked for me. But you have to do it on both computers (i.e. local and remote computers))
thanx man it helped
phil says
It did not help… But reducing the size of the RDC from full screen to 1366×768 (second tab) did the trick ! I then had my local desktop and applications visible, and I could click on Notepad text area : the text was actually in the clipboard and bridge-Paste worked !!
Hope it can help some of you !!!
Jan G says
Yes, it helped, thank you
SB says
Working very well. thanks
Moky says
Kill rdpclip.exe worked for me. But you have to do it on both computers (i.e. local and remote computers)
Donna says
YAY thank you so much!!!! I couldn’t believe a quick google search and picking the first link I found would actually solve my problem!!!!-
Aurelio Silvestroni says
I did edit the RDC (indeed DRIVE was not selected) but still doesn’t work. Do you think the problem is in the other end, that the administrator have to give permission? It worked a few days ago and suddenly stop working.
Please help
Ana says
Thanks a lot!!! I’ve made only ‘Client Settings’ and it’s helped
chris kershaw says
perfect thx!!
debabrata Mandal says
For Me the solution provided for Windows 2012 worked on Windows 2016
Thanks for sharing this article.
**************Working *************
Open “Server Manager“.
Select “Remote Desktop” Services.
Select “Collections“.
Select “Tasks“, then choose “Edit Properties“.
Under the “Client Settings” tab, ensure the “Clipboard” and “Drive” is enabled.
christine says
Thank you very much for sharing. This is very insightful.
I know about the killing the rdpclip clip process but somehow I keep forgetting “rdclip”.
I have to google it all the time with “i can’t copy from remote access”
Maryps says
Thanks for all the help!
Kill rdpclip.exe worked for me.
Erik Grahn says
This was relevant for me today;
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/2258090/copying-files-larger-than-2-gb-over-a-remote-desktop-services-or-termi
7-elephant says
Kill rdpclip.exe then close and reopen remote connection. It works, nice.
anudeep says
Thanks Mitch , it solved my problem.
Dheeraj says
How can i do this only for users not for administrator
ahmed says
Thanks bro
The problem solved after killing rdpclip process
CML says
Problem solved thnk you
Tejal says
thank you so much.
kill the rdpclip process worked for me.
gabriel says
Not work for me.
The option is under “Device and Resource Redirection”
regards
Arun C says
You are awesome Mitch, saved me in the nick of the time. I did exactly what is mentioned here and it did exactly what it was mentioned, problem solved!!
Michel says
Bingo!! you solved my issue here, really appreciated bud!
Supaporn says
Thank you so much. This post is very helpful.
JM says
Thanks for your help, Mitch. This is exactly what I need.