How Can I Fix Grayed Out Copy and Paste Options?

Symptom

After remotely logging in to a Windows ECS, I cannot copy or paste content and find that the Paste option grayed out.

Possible Causes

• Local drive is not mapped.
• An error has occurred in the rdpclip.exe process.
• Data cannot be copied and pasted between the ECS and the local server.

Solution

• The local drive is not mapped. Figure 1 uses local drive C and drive D as an example.
  1. Open the Run dialog box, enter mstsc, and click OK to start Remote Desktop Connection.
  2. Click the Local Resources tab and select Clipboard in the Local devices and resources pane. Click More and select the drives you want to use in the remote session.
  3. Click OK and check whether the copy and paste options work.
     Figure 1 Local resources
     
• An error has occurred in the rdpclip.exe process.
  1. Enable remote desktop connection, start Windows Task Manager, and stop the rdpclip.exe process on the Processes tab page.
     Figure 2 Ending the rdpclip.exe process
     
  2. Open the Run dialog box, enter rdpclip.exe, and click OK to restart it.
     Figure 3 Starting the rdpclip.exe process
     
  3. Check whether the copy and paste options work.
• Data cannot be copied and pasted between the ECS and the local server.
  1. Choose Start > Run. In the Run dialog box, enter gpedit.msc and click OK to start Local Group Policy Editor.
  2. Choose Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Device and Resource Redirection.
  3. Set Do not allow Clipboard redirection, Do not allow COM port redirection, Do not allow drive redirection, and Do not allow LPT port redirection to Disabled.
     Figure 4 Device and resource redirection
     
  4. Restart the ECS and check whether the copy and paste options work.