How to Create a "Clear Clipboard" Shortcut in Vista and Windows 7
Information
The Clipboard is a temporary storage area used by Vista and Windows 7. Information (such as text, files, graphics, sound, or video) can be copied to the Clipboard from one program or location and pasted elsewhere. The Clipboard can only hold one piece of information at a time. Whenever something is copied to the Clipboard, it replaces whatever was there before automatically. This will show you how to create or download a shortcut to clear the Clipboard content manually.
Tip
This can be handy if you just want to clear the Clipboard without having to copy something else to do so. This way you do not have potential sensitive information just sitting in the Clipboard.
Note
When you click on the Clear Clipboard shortcut, a command prompt window will open and close quickly. This will clear the content of the Clipboard.
OPTION ONE
To Download the "Clear Clipboard" Shortcut
1. Click on the download button below to download the file below.Clear_Clipboard.zip
2. Click on Save and save the ZIP file to the Desktop.
3. Right click on the downloaded .zip file and click on Open.
4. Click on Allow in the UAC prompt.
5. Extract the Clear Clipboard shortcut to the desktop.
6. Move the shortcut to where you like to use it at.
7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .zip file if you would like to.
OPTION TWO
To Manually Create the "Clear Clipboard" Shortcut
1. Right click on a empty area of the desktop.
2. Click on New and Shortcut.
3. Copy and Paste the location belowinto the location field. (See screenshot below step 4)%windir%\System32\cmd /c "echo off | clip"
4. Click on the Next button.
5. Type Clear Clipboard for the name. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You can name it anything you would like though.
6. Click on the Finish button.
7. Right click on thr new Clear Clipboard shortcut (on desktop) and click on Properties.
8. Click on the Change Icon button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: For more on how to change a shortcut folder or file icon, see: How to Change a Shortcut Folder or File Icon in Vista
9. Click on Browse and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\shell32.dll. (See screenshot below step 10)
10. Click on the icon highlighted in blue below, and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you have your own icon you would rather use, then just navigate to where you have it saved. Vista needs a 256 bit icon for the best viewing results.
11. Click on OK to apply. (See screenshot below step 8)
12. Move or copy the new Clear Clipboard shortcut to wherever you like for easy use.
That's it,
Shawn
