Some devices, be it a computer or a smartphone, force us to get acquainted with various kinds of concepts as we use them. So, the question of how to clear the clipboard can lead to a dead end. But if you consistently understand everything, then later it turns out that there is nothing complicated in this process.
Clipboard
Before you know where it is and how to clean it, we will find out what it is. So, the clipboard is a conditional repository for information. But unlike flash drives, the data here is not permanent. This is an intermediate sector that provides any software.
It is needed in order to transfer or copy fragments between applications. The transportation process itself is carried out by operations familiar to all: copying, cutting or pasting.
general information
Before you understand how to clear the clipboard, you need to find out basic information about this repository. The operating system or other similar medium is responsible for activating the buffer through the desired interface. There are applications that have their own storage, where temporary information is saved.
The program can store data and send it to the buffer, using several formats. The most important of them is placed first, and then the least needed are located. During transportation, the most informative option that the software recognized is used.
For example, if a word processor uses a buffer to copy text, then the RTF format is used, if the picture is WMF. Such a text element is placed in any other application with its own markup and formatting.
Storage
It is important to understand, before searching where the clipboard is, that an element from there can be pasted an unlimited number of times. If you copy a new item, the previous one is deleted. Although there is a set of operations that make it possible to put several items in the repository and select the one you need from the list.
What for?
Those who simply decide to get acquainted with the topic rarely understand why to understand how to clear the clipboard. In general, there can be many reasons. This usually happens in a couple of cases. For example, you use a PC as a family, but you don’t want your parents to keep track of what you did.
Perhaps you have copied a password or login to enter social networks, and after you a third-party user will come in and be able to find out personal data. There is an option that the copied item is too voluminous. In this case, memory overload may occur. In order not to turn off the PC or restart the smartphone, you can simply delete the contents of the buffer.
Prompt cleansing
There may be many options for clearing the clipboard. But there is, as always, the easiest way. If you copied the password, but immediately want to delete it, copy any other element. Your data will disappear from the buffer.
To do this, select any word and right-click "Copy", or use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + C". So all data from the storage will be replaced with new ones.
You can, for example, copy any shortcut from the desktop. It takes up very little space, so it will not load RAM. Or in extreme cases, take a screenshot of the desktop screen. This will also remove previous material from the buffer and replace it with a screen image. But such a copied element weighs a lot because it is an image.
Command line
You can use the command line to clear the Windows 7 clipboard. Prior to this version of the operating system, there were several ways to call a service, but the simplest combination was “Win + R”. After that, in the window that appears, enter “clipbrd.exe”.
Now using the command line. To start it, go to the "Start". Then you can drive in the search “Command line”, or you can go to “All programs” and click “Standard”. The desired section appears in the list.
Now at the command prompt we enter “echo off | clip ". After we press "Enter". But as you know, such a cleansing takes a lot of time, so it can be automated.
To do this, you do not have to look for where the clipboard is, but save the shortcut with the command. It can stay on the desktop or sit on the taskbar. To do this, click RMB on the desktop, select to create a shortcut and in the "Object" field, enter "C: \ Windows \ System32 \ cmd.exe / c" echo off | clip "" without quotes.
Remember to give the file a name to understand its purpose.
Android
The clipboard on Android is not as easy to find as on a PC. Therefore, you should immediately understand that you cannot find a separate file with temporary data in the system. In a smartphone, this storage is an integral part of RAM. In fact, the same self-cleaning works here as on a computer. To delete the previous data, copy the new, less important for you.
There are some phone models that still make it possible to clear the clipboard. “Android” usually saves several fragments in such devices at once, and then suggests inserting the desired fragment. In this case, it will be enough just to perform a long press on the touch screen. In addition to the options “Paste” or “Copy”, you will see “Clipboard”.
When you go to this menu, all saved options will be available to you, you can clear everything.
Programs
There are special programs on both the computer and the smartphone that help clear the clipboard. For example, you can download ClipTTL to your PC. The software automatically cleans the clipboard every 20 seconds.
Clipdiary has more features. For example, it manages all the contents of the buffer and supports the use of hot keys.
There is a good application “Clipboard Manager” for a smartphone. Helps to easily manage all temporarily stored data and free up RAM.