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Disable Cloud Clipboard (breaks clipboard sync)

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

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

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script disables the Cloud Clipboard feature 1, also known as the cross-device clipboard 2. The Cloud Clipboard, introduced in the Windows 10 October 2018 Update 3, synchronizes clipboard contents across Windows devices 1 2 4. While this feature enhances usability, it can pose a privacy risk as sensitive information like passwords or credit card details 5 might be inadvertently synchronized and stored on Microsoft servers.

Disabling Cloud Clipboard is recommended in secure environments where clipboard data should remain local to the system, avoiding potential exposure or misuse of sensitive information 6. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) recommends disabling this feature in such settings for enhanced security 6. Moreover, Microsoft acknowledges that disabling network connections linked to the Cloud Clipboard can improve privacy 1. This script secures your clipboard data by preventing unauthorized access from other processes on your computer or network, reducing the risk of data theft.

The script configures the following registry keys:

  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!AllowCrossDeviceClipboard: Disables the Cloud Clipboard feature, preventing clipboard synchronization across devices 1 2 6.
  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Clipboard!CloudClipboardAutomaticUpload: Stops the automatic upload of clipboard data to the cloud 7.
Caution

After running this script, clipboard contents will not synchronize across devices 1 2 6. Text or images copied on one device will not be accessible on other devices 3 4 5. This enhances privacy and security but limits the clipboard's functionality across your Windows devices.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

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  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Cloud Clipboard (breaks clipboard sync)" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Cloud Clipboard (breaks clipboard sync)" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable Cloud Clipboard (breaks clipboard sync)
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System!AllowCrossDeviceClipboard"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System' /v 'AllowCrossDeviceClipboard' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Clipboard!CloudClipboardAutomaticUpload"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Clipboard'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Clipboard' /v 'CloudClipboardAutomaticUpload' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Cloud Clipboard (breaks clipboard sync)" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

This category includes scripts that focus on disabling various aspects of clipboard data collection in Windows. The clipboard is a critical component of the operat...
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Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable clipboard data collection 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable clipboard history
Disable background clipboard data collection (cbdhsvc) (breaks clipboard history and sync)

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process