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

Copy and Paste which was working as usual suddenly stopped working one fine day. Had the following setting enabled Restarted the following process on the remote machine, but that also didn't help. Finally updating the following setting on the remote machine helped fix the issue Go to command prompt – open Local Group Policy Editor. Nov 15, 1989  Download this app from Microsoft Store for Windows 10, Windows 10 Team (Surface Hub). See screenshots, read the latest customer reviews, and compare ratings for Copy/Paste. Oct 27, 2015  In the past RDC came with the MacBook and I could copy text from my Mac and paste it into my remote session, and vice versa. However I'm running OS X 10.9 using the latest Microsoft Remote Desktop app and it won't let me cut and paste. As far as I can. Jul 31, 2018 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“.

  • Mar 20, 2019 On your Windows, Android, or iOS device: Open the Remote Desktop app (available for free from Microsoft Store, Google Play, and the Mac App Store), and add the name of the PC that you want to connect to (from Step 1). Select the remote PC name that you added, and then wait for the connection to complete.
  • Nov 05, 1934  Download this app from Microsoft Store for Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows 10 Team (Surface Hub), HoloLens. See screenshots, read the latest customer reviews, and compare ratings for Microsoft Remote Desktop.
  • Feb 28, 2018 I prefer Windows Remote Desktop 8 over 10 because the picture is better on my macbook pro retina display. But I cannot copy/paste from Mac Desktop to Windows remote environment. My workaround is Bootcamp. I urge MSFT to update and repair this glitch.
  1. Right-click on the RDP icon that you use to connect, then select “Edit“.
  2. Select the “Local Resources” tab.
  3. 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“.
  4. Select the “Drives” option. Click “OK“, then “OK” again.

Server Settings

Windows 2016

In Windows 2016, these settings are controlled within Group Policy.

  1. Launch “gpedit.msc“.
  2. Navigate to “Computer Configuration” > “Administrative Templates” > “Windows Components” > “Remote Desktop Services” > “Remote Desktop Session Host“.
  3. Ensure “Do not allow Clipboard redirection” is set to “Not Configured” or “Disabled“.

Windows 2012

  1. Open “Server Manager“.
  2. Select “Remote Desktop” Services.
  3. Select “Collections“.
  4. Select “Tasks“, then choose “Edit Properties“.
  5. Under the “Client Settings” tab, ensure the “Clipboard” and “Drive” is enabled.

Windows 2008

  1. Launch “Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration” from the server.
  2. Under “Connections“, right-click the connection and select “Properties“.
  3. 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.

Use RealVNC instead

<https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer>


On Linux

On a PC Reinstall of the application,even over the top of the original install Replace files called Registry Keys. If they are already there they are not replaced so could have corruption thesefiles. If my reply has helped, mark accordingly - Helpful or Answer Phillip M. Macs do not make use of Registry keys and, all Preference file are generated at the time of the install. My microsoft word isn't working on my mac. Go to Microsoft website and look for proper uninstall directions.Disclaimer:The questions, discussions, opinions, replies & answers I create, are solely mine and mine alone and do not reflect upon my position as a Community Moderator.

vncconfig &

should be running in the VNC session so the clipboard is shared between Linux and macOS. Microsoft onedrive for business mac el capitan.


Basically, RealVNC keeps the clipboard in sync, between the 2 platforms, and you just use the native copy & paste commands on each platform.


The following Copy/Paste behavior is based on '/bin/gnome-terminal'. This may or may not work with xterm. Your milage may vary for other Linux based terminal emulators.


Linux to Mac

  • The selected text seems to be transferred to the Mac automagically.
  • Control-Shift-C - also copies text to the clipboard
  • Command-V pastes the Linux loaded clipboard on the Mac.


Mac to Linux

  • Command-C - on the Mac copies selected text to the clipboard
  • Control-Shift-V - pastes in a terminal window on Linux

Microsoft Remote Desktop App Mac Copy Paste Keyboard

Jul 20, 2018 5:21 PM