Clipboard Memory Sharing in Windows

 Last reviewed: November 2, 1995
Article ID: Q11654
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows versions 3.0 and 3.1
  • Microsoft Win32 Application Programming Interface (API) included with: 

        - Microsoft Windows NT versions 3.5 and 3.51
    - Microsoft Windows 95 version 4.0

The following are questions and answers on the topic of Clipboard memory sharing:

Q. Does the Clipboard UNLOCK before freeing the handle when I tell it to 

   SetClipboardData()?
A. Yes, the Clipboard UNLOCKs before freeing the handle when you 
   SetClipboardData().
Q. Does the Clipboard actually copy my global storage to another 
   block, or does it just retain the value of my handle for
   referencing my block?
A. The Clipboard is sharable; it retains the value of the handle.

Q. Does GetClipboardData() remove the data from the Clipboard, or 

   does it allow me to reference the data without removing it from
   the Clipboard?
A. The data handle returned by GetClipboardData() is controlled by 
   the Clipboard, not by the application. The application should
   copy the data immediately, instead of relying on the data handle
   for long-term use. The application should not free the data
   handle or leave it locked. To remove data from the Clipboard,
   call SetClipboardData().

Additional reference words: 3.00 3.10 3.50 3.51 4.00 95
KBCategory: kbui
KBSubcategory: UsrClp

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Last reviewed: November 2, 1995
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