Does Windows Sandbox Keep Clipboard History?

No. Windows Sandbox doesn't keep clipboard history between sessions: when you close it, Microsoft says all software, files and state inside it are deleted, and the next launch starts fresh. While it's running, the sandbox shares your PC's clipboard by default, so you can copy and paste text and files in both directions. You can turn that sharing off with a .wsb configuration file.

What happens to the clipboard in Windows Sandbox

Restarting Windows from inside the sandbox is different. Starting with Windows 11, version 22H2, data persists through restarts you start within the sandbox. Only closing the Sandbox app discards it.

Why Win+V is empty or asks you to turn it on

Each launch is a clean Windows installation, and Windows clipboard history is off until you turn it on. Press Win+V inside the sandbox and select Turn on if you want history for that session. Your PC's own history and pinned items don't appear inside the sandbox; they're separate Windows installations.

How to keep something you copied in the sandbox

Don't rely on the sandbox for anything you need later. Before you close it:

• Paste text into an app on your PC. With clipboard sharing on, copy in the sandbox and paste into Notepad or your notes app on the host.
• Save files to a mapped folder. A .wsb file can share a folder from your PC with write access. Microsoft says changes made to a write-enabled mapped folder persist after the sandbox is closed.

Here is a minimal .wsb file that maps a folder with write access. Change the host path to a folder that already exists on your PC; the sandbox won't start if it doesn't.

<Configuration>
  <MappedFolders>
    <MappedFolder>
      <HostFolder>C:\SandboxShare</HostFolder>
      <SandboxFolder>C:\Share</SandboxFolder>
      <ReadOnly>false</ReadOnly>
    </MappedFolder>
  </MappedFolders>
</Configuration>

Save it with the .wsb extension and double-click it to start the sandbox with that setting. Keep in mind Microsoft's warning: a writable mapped folder lets anything running in the sandbox change files on your PC.

How to turn clipboard sharing off

If you're opening suspicious files, you may not want the sandbox touching your clipboard at all. Add ClipboardRedirection to a .wsb file:

<Configuration>
  <ClipboardRedirection>Disable</ClipboardRedirection>
</Configuration>

Microsoft documents three values:

You can combine it with other options in the same file, for example <Networking>Disable</Networking>. Microsoft also notes that Protected client mode, <ProtectedClient>Enable</ProtectedClient>, may restrict copying and pasting files in and out of the sandbox.

Copy and paste between your PC and the sandbox isn't working

1. Make sure you started the sandbox from the Start menu or from a .wsb file that doesn't set ClipboardRedirection to Disable or ProtectedClient to Enable.
2. Test with plain text in Notepad on both sides.
3. Close the sandbox and start it again.

If paste fails between ordinary apps on your PC too, the problem isn't the sandbox; see how to test if the Windows clipboard is working. For VirtualBox, VMware or Hyper-V VMs, see VM copy-paste not working.

FAQ

Which Windows editions have Windows Sandbox?

Microsoft lists Windows Pro, Enterprise, Pro Education/SE and Education. It isn't supported on Windows Home.

Can something in the sandbox read my clipboard?

With clipboard sharing on, apps in the sandbox can paste what's on your PC's clipboard, so clear or replace anything sensitive before you open untrusted files, or disable clipboard redirection. Can other apps read everything you copy? explains the general risk.

Does copying in the sandbox affect my PC's clipboard history?

What you copy in the sandbox can reach your PC's clipboard, and once it's there Windows can record it in your PC's history like any other copy. Clear it with Win+V if you don't want it kept. Clipboard history vs the single live clipboard explains the difference between the two.

Related reading

• VirtualBox, VMware or Hyper-V Copy-Paste Not Working? Fixes
• How to Enable Clipboard History in Windows 11
• Clipboard vs Clipboard History in Windows (Ctrl+V vs Win+V)
• How to Clear Clipboard History on Windows 11

Sources

• Windows Sandbox (Microsoft Learn) — closing deletes all state; persistence through restarts from Windows 11 22H2; supported editions; not on Home.
• Use and configure Windows Sandbox (Microsoft Learn) — clipboard redirection on by default for text and files, ClipboardRedirection values, Protected client, mapped folders.
• Using the clipboard (Microsoft Support) — clipboard history is off until turned on with Win+V.

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