What Is the Purpose of the Clipboard?

The Clipboard is a handy tool intrinsic to the Microsoft Windows operating system. It operates behind-the-scenes and makes your computing ability easier without your even knowing it.

Function

The Clipboard stores temporary information, typically when you copy/cut and paste data from applications on your computer or the web.

Benefits

The Clipboard allows you to transfer information from one place to another without having to retype it.

Identification

The Clipboard viewer is stored in C:\Winnt\system32\clipbrd.exe. Later releases of Windows renamed it to "ClipBook Viewer," but it is stored in the same place.

Effects

The Clipboard makes cut-and-paste operations seamless and quick.

Considerations

Different versions of Windows treat viewing the clipboard contents differently. Versions before Windows XP and Windows 2000 have a Clipboard Viewer available.

Resources

• More Info on Clipboard Operations
• How to Find the Clipboard Viewer