Windows Clipboard Turns Automatic

very good
key review info
application features
  • Automatically disable auto-copy function for specified windows
  • (5 more, see all...)

Most clipboard managers on the market boast extended memory compared to what the function in Windows offers. This sort of tools generally allows you to store multiple lines and call them whenever you need them. AutoClipX on the other hand has a different approach. It practically automates the copy/paste process and limits it to mouse action.

The application has been created to boost productivity by getting the keyboard out of the equation and allowing you to fill Windows clipboard as well as paste its contents by using the mouse alone. AutoClipX is free of charge and works only with text; file management tasks are carried out the old fashioned way, by means of Ctrl+C/X and Ctrl+V.

Unless you want your desktop cluttered with 3 new shortcuts that have nothing to do with AutoClipX you have to pay attention during installation. The process features a screen where you can opt out of placing shortcuts for One Click Privacy, Reg Tweaker or SpyBlaster on the desktop.

Even if you miss that screen, nothing else is installed but AutoClipX itself and you can delete the shortcuts at any time, with no impact on the system or well running of the program whatsoever.

You won’t benefit from a proper interface once installation process completes as the app sports only a configuration window. Also, it will place itself in the notification area so it is not intruding on your desktop.

As mentioned before, the program relies on the mouse to clip and release text content. The default setting assigns button the middle-click for pasting from the clipboard and clearing the content. Sending the string to Windows Clipboard requires you to simply select the text. The trick is that the selection can be done automatically only when the mouse cursor is in text selection mode.

Setting up the application is not a difficult task and all the options are easy to understand. Most of it consists in defining the mouse buttons for capturing text, pasting it and clearing it from the clipboard, or choosing the key combination to activate and deactivate the program.

Each of the options available come with a tooltip explain the purpose of the choice. However, we noticed that in some case further explanation is needed. When picking up the mouse button for pasting the text or clearing the clipboard there are several options: button 3, 4 or 5. Button 3 is generally the mouse wheel click, but plenty of users have no idea about the position of click 4 and 5; also their mouse may not even have more than three buttons. So, I guess in most cases you will not be able to change these settings because of hardware limitations.

To make sure that no wrong move causes unexpected text clipping or pasting, the developer lets you set the amount of time a button has to be pressed for the clipboard to be cleared. Also, you can adjust mouse movement so that insignificant motion does not capture the text under the mouse cursor.

Still as a precaution, you can modify the amount of time for displaying the message for successful text copy and clipboard clear. This way you will have confirmation of your actions.

An additional option available in the configuration panel makes sure that the app gets disabled for specific windows. You can create an ignore list of the apps you do not want AutoClipX to function. Suffice to punch in the titles of the windows and select a matching level (partial or exact) and the clipboard utility will avoid doing its bidding when the focus is on them.

Taking AutoClipX for a test drive we noticed that it handles extremely well once you get accustomed to the new copy and paste system. All the options function exactly as they should and we were impressed even by the ignore list and the title matching feature.

On the downside, a more elaborate set of options would definitely bring it a larger audience. Also, in most cases users are too accustomed to the copying and pasting the old fashioned way to be able to trade it for what AutoClipX offers.

Also, the simple fact that it requires configuration can be a deal breaker compared to the lack of any settings when using Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. On the upside, if you are working with text and need to copy and paste it quite frequently, hitting the keyboard shortcuts can become pretty annoying, so AutoClipX could come in as a life saver.


The Good

AutoClipX is one comfortable way to quickly copy and paste text without touching the keyboard. It is easy to configure and handle.

It can create a list of applications (identified through their title) and disable the copy or paste functions whenever they are in the foreground.

The Bad

It may take a while to get used to its functionality. We wish for more options available, such as copying files with middle click or double clicking words to send them to Windows clipboard. Storing multiple items and calling on the repository through a hotkey would also be of help to many users.

A heftier set of tooltips shedding light on mouse buttons to more inexperienced users would come in handy.

The Truth

Properly configured it can be of real help. The application is free of charge and all it needs to become a real productivity asset is time to get accustomed to the new copy/paste method.

A richer rack of options to expand its functionality beyond text support would probably appeal to a larger audience.

Thumbnail icon provided by visualpharm.com

user interface 3
features 4
ease of use 4
pricing / value 4


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
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Photo Gallery (2 Images)

Configuration panel in AutoClipX
AutoClipX pushes shortcuts not related to its purpose