Can I copy and paste between Windows and Mac?
Yes. Install DeskJoin Clipboard on both computers, connect them on the same local network, then copy on one computer and paste on the other.
DeskJoin Clipboard · Windows and macOS
How to copy and paste between Windows and Mac.
Connect the two computers on your local network, then use the copy and paste commands you already know. No account or cloud folder is required.
The short answer
Install once. Copy here. Paste there.
Windows and macOS normally keep separate clipboards. DeskJoin Clipboard connects a Windows PC and Mac directly over the same local network, so supported clipboard content copied on one computer is ready to paste on the other.
Before you start
What you need
- A Windows PCWindows 10 or later, x64
- A MacmacOS 11 or later, Apple Silicon or Intel
- One local networkBoth computers on the same trusted Wi-Fi or Ethernet network
- IPv6The current Windows version requires IPv6 on the local network
Set up DeskJoin Clipboard
Copy and paste in three steps
- 01
Install it on both computers
Download and install DeskJoin Clipboard on the Windows PC and Mac you want to connect.
- 02
Choose Connect from the menu
Open the app on both computers. From the Windows system tray menu, select Connect to … and choose the nearby Mac.
- 03
Copy, switch, and paste
Copy on either computer, move to the other one, and paste. Previously connected devices can reconnect automatically when they become available again.
What you can share
Text, images, files, and folders
Reuse a link, move a screenshot into a document, or paste a file into the folder where you need it without sending yourself a message.
- Text
- Sentences, links, code snippets, and Unicode text.
- Images
- Copied images and screenshots that are ready to paste into another app.
- Files & folders
- Copy on one computer and paste into a destination folder on the other.
Files and folders transfer when you paste. Copy them on one computer, then paste them directly into Windows Explorer or macOS Finder on the other, with transfer progress and cancellation controls.
Local connection
Keep the two computers nearby
DeskJoin Clipboard transfers clipboard and file contents over your local network. It does not require an account, and those contents are not uploaded to DeskJoin.
Use a trusted local network. The current transfer protocol does not provide end-to-end encryption or device authentication. Some guest or public Wi-Fi networks also prevent nearby devices from communicating with each other.
Questions
Copy and paste between Windows and Mac FAQ
Can I copy from Mac to Windows as well?
Yes. Once connected, DeskJoin Clipboard shares supported clipboard content in both directions between the Windows PC and Mac.
What can I copy between the two computers?
DeskJoin Clipboard supports text, images, screenshots, files, and folders. Copy files or folders on one computer, then paste them directly into Windows Explorer or macOS Finder on the other.
Do I need an account or cloud storage?
No account is required. Clipboard and file contents are transferred over your local network rather than uploaded to DeskJoin.
Does DeskJoin Clipboard require IPv6?
The current Windows version requires IPv6 on the local network. Both computers must also be able to communicate with each other over the same trusted Wi-Fi or Ethernet network.