> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/parallels-desktop-for-mac-27-users-guide/use-windows-on-your-mac/setting-how-windows-works-with-macos/sharing-items-between-macos-and-windows/copying-and-pasting-between-macos-and-windows.md).

# Copying and Pasting between macOS and Windows

Parallels Desktop allows you to copy and paste images and formatted text (italic, bold, underlined, and of various colors, fonts, and sizes) between macOS and Windows applications.

To enable copying and pasting between macOS and Windows:

1. Do one of the following:
   * Click the Parallels Desktop icon in the menu bar and choose **Configure.**
   * If the Parallels Desktop menu bar is visible at the top of the screen, choose **Actions** > **Configure**.
2. Click **Options** > **More Options**.
3. Select **Share Mac clipboard**.
4. To preserve text formatting when copying and pasting text, select **Preserve text formatting**.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** To enable copying and pasting between macOS and Windows, Parallels Tools must be installed. In most cases, Parallels Tools are installed by default. Copying and pasting between macOS and Windows is unavailable if you [isolate macOS from Windows](/landing/pdfm-ug/parallels-desktop-for-mac-27-users-guide/use-windows-on-your-mac/protecting-your-data/isolating-windows-from-mac.md).
{% endhint %}

### Copy and Paste Files

You can easily copy and paste files between Windows and macOS by doing the following:

1. Select a file (or multiple files) and press Command-ßC on your keyboard to copy it.
2. Open a folder or click the desktop in the other operating system and press Command-V to paste the file.


---

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