How to see your clipboard history on Windows
To see your clipboard history on Windows, press Win + V. If a panel does not show your copies, clipboard history is off, so turn it on in Settings, System, Clipboard. For a history that lasts longer than a restart, use Pastidy.
Last updated 21 October 2026
Step 1: press Win + V
Press the Windows key and V together. The clipboard panel opens near your cursor and lists your recent copies.
Step 2: turn it on if the panel is empty
The first time, Windows asks you to turn clipboard history on. Click Turn on. You can also go to Settings, System, Clipboard, and switch on Clipboard history. Only items you copy after turning it on are saved.
Step 3: pick an item
Click any item to paste it into the app you are using. Use the pin icon to keep an item, or the cross to remove it.
How far back can you see?
Windows keeps up to 25 items and clears them when you restart your PC, except pinned ones. If you need something older, it is gone.
See a longer history with Pastidy
Pastidy saves everything you copy on your PC, so older copies stay available. Open it from the notch or press Ctrl + Alt + V, then scroll or search. It also reads the text inside copied screenshots.
Questions and answers
Why does Win + V show nothing?
Clipboard history is probably off. Turn it on in Settings, System, Clipboard. Only copies made after that are saved.
Can I see something I copied yesterday?
Not with the built-in history if you restarted since, because it clears on restart. A clipboard app such as Pastidy keeps older copies.