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Disable clipboard history

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script deactivates the clipboard history feature in Windows, a feature that is enabled by default 1 2. Regularly, users copy sensitive data such as usernames and passwords to their clipboard, making clipboard history valuable to attackers for gathering information for post-exploitation activities like lateral movement.

Microsoft introduced clipboard history in the Windows 10 October 2018 Update 1, offering enhanced functionality, including multi-device sync and customizable history management 1. Despite these benefits, clipboard history poses several security risks:

  • Plain Text Storage: Clipboard data is stored unencrypted, making it vulnerable to access by malicious applications 3.
  • Persistent Memory: The data remains in memory until overwritten or the machine restarts, exposing it to unauthorized access by other users or malware 3.
  • Process Accessibility: Most running processes and applications can access clipboard data, increasing the risk if any are malicious 3.
  • Open Network Threats: Malicious website scripts could potentially access clipboard data, leading to data theft 3.
  • Windows Clipboard History: Stores the last 25 copied text and image items, which could include sensitive information 3.
  • Increased Attack Surface: Clipboard history is susceptible to exploitation by malware that silently accesses and logs clipboard data 3.

Microsoft's privacy statement also indicates that clipboard data could be used for marketing and advertising purposes 4.

Given these risks, especially when handling sensitive data like passwords or credit card numbers 5, it is advisable for users concerned about security to disable clipboard history to safeguard their privacy.

This script modifies Windows Registry keys to turn off clipboard history and sync features:

  • HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Clipboard!EnableClipboardHistory: Disables the local clipboard history for the current user 6 7 8.
  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!AllowClipboardHistory: Disables the policy for storing clipboard contents 2 9.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable clipboard data collection category. This category includes scripts that focus on disabling various aspects of clipboard data collection in Windows. The clipboard is a critical component of the operating system, often containing sensitive data such as usernames, passwords, and other personal information. However, features such as... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable clipboard history.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Clipboard!EnableClipboardHistory"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Clipboard'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Clipboard' /v 'EnableClipboardHistory' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!AllowClipboardHistory"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System' /v 'AllowClipboardHistory' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Delete the registry value "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Clipboard!EnableClipboardHistory"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Clipboard' /v 'EnableClipboardHistory' /f 2>$null"
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!AllowClipboardHistory"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System' /v 'AllowClipboardHistory' /f 2>$null"

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