With the publication of Windows 10, first, and the release of Windows 11, then, Microsoft has finally introduced the concept of clipboard history in its operating system. In the past, selecting text then pressing the key combination CTRL+Cthe operating system copied the information to the Windows clipboard. The clipboard area is a feature that allows users to copy and paste text, images, and other types of data from one application to another. When you copy an item (such as text or an image) in Windows, that content is temporarily stored in the clipboard area. Later, you can paste it to another location or application using the key combination CTRL+V.
The Windows clipboard just got smarter
We were saying that with the launch of Windows 10, Microsoft has finally “rejuvenated” the Clipboard area. The special key combination Windows+V allows you to access a list of information gradually copied to the Windows clipboard. The clipboard history allows you to store (locally and possibly also on the cloud) not only the last data copied into memory but also host all those previously saved. In other words, pressing CTRL+C several times, nothing is lost.
The beauty of Windows 10 and Windows 11 is that after logging in with a Microsoft account and activating the synchronization on the cloudthe contents of the clipboard can be shared between different devices, not only within the same local network but also remotely (it is not necessary for the devices to be connected to the same local network).
Typing Clipboard settings in the Windows search box, you can activate the Clipboard History then choose the way in which the information copied into memory is shared between devices belonging to the same user (same Microsoft account).
The most careful, those who don’t want to risk share a password with Microsoft’s cloud, they can choose the option Manually synchronize the copied text. In this way, sharing with other Windows devices occurs only upon explicit user request. Pressing Windows+V then by clicking on the dots “…”, you will find a button or an item Syncdepending on the version of Windows you are using.
At the top of the list that appears by pressing Windows+Vyou will see the item appear Copied from another device leaving the mouse pointer for a few moments on the entry in the clipboard. We talk about it in more detail in the article dedicated to how to share notes between Windows 10 and 11.
Ditto: The Windows Clipboard as it should be
Unfortunately, the Windows Clipboard – even in the version it appears in Windows 10 and 11 – suffers from some important limitations. Clipboard history always works locally, by pressing Windows+Vhowever to share information between multiple devices you must log in with a Microsoft account and enable cloud synchronization.
Furthermore, this is not possible at the moment look for information stored in the clipboard just as it is not possible to customize the functioning of the history.
Ditto is an open source application whose primary objective is to improve the Windows clipboard history.
Downloadable from this page, even in a portable version, Ditto is designed to work in the local network, without therefore relying on any remote server. The information copied to the clipboard by each individual user therefore remains on the individual device and at most can be shared between devices connected via LAN. In order for Ditto to receive data from other clients connected to the local network, it is essential to verify that the Windows firewall is correctly configured.
Configure the Windows firewall
Regardless of the version of Windows you use, after starting Ditto for the first time, we suggest typing Allow apps through Windows Firewall. You then need to click on the button Change settings top right.
Scrolling through the list, it is essential to check that there is aexception call Ditto and that only the box Private network appears ticked.
In this way, Ditto is configured to receive the contents of the clipboard only and exclusively when the system in use is connected to a private network. In another article we saw the differences between private and public networks.
If the Ditto item does not appear in the list, you need to click Allow another appchoose Browsesearch for the executable Ditto.exe then check the box Private inside the button Network types.
How to use Ditto to share clipboard between local Windows devices
The default key combination to access the clipboard area is CTRL+@ in the case of Ditto. As you can see in the image, the application shows the history of your notes and with a simple double click you can paste what you have in front of you into the open window.
To translate theinterface by Ditto in Europenjust right-click on the program icon, displayed in the traybar Windows then choose Options. In the tab Generalnext to Linguayou can select Europen and then restart the application.
In the tab Amici, you can indicate private IP addresses or the names of Windows devices authorized to send information. By removing the check mark from the box Disable receiving clipsyou authorize any local computer to send notes to your system.
Pressing CTRL+@ At this point you can try sharing notes. Just choose one or more pieces of information stored in memory (you can also help with the keys CTRL e MAIUSCexactly as in File Explorer), click on SendTo so up Prompt for name to specify the name or local IP address of the target PC.
All shared data is automatically routed to the Ditto instance running on the other Windows device. Here they can be recovered using the key combination again CTRL+@ (possibly customizable via the card Keyboard shortcut of the application).
Some final thoughts
Don’t be fooled by Ditto’s “old-fashioned” interface. This is an application that is truly an excellent tool for those who often find themselves exchanging information between different devices connected to a local network.
The program, by clicking with the right mouse button, even allows you to edit notes directly, to carry out a “special pasting” operation (modifying the content of the texts), supports multiple document formats (not just pure text and images…), to compare the content of multiple pieces of information contained in the clipboard, to import ed export data and much more.
To work, Ditto must remain in memory: its presence is signaled by the icon in the area traybar. Closing the program (right button, You go out) implies the impossibility of receiving any message from devices connected to the local network.
What we hope for is the possibility of encrypt the contents of the database SQLite on which Ditto bases its operation. In our opinion it is a feature that could and should be added as soon as possible.