How can I copy&paste from the host to a KVM guest?

The solution is simple. Just install the package spice-vdagent in the guest virtual machine:

sudo apt install spice-vdagent

The clipboard is automatically shared - we can copy and paste between the host and the guest.


For my Linux Mint 18.2 Sonya machine timelf123 provided the answer:

  • In my Windows guest (Windows 7) downloaded and installed spice-guest-tools-latest.exe.
  • Before That, back in my QEMU/KVM Virtual Machine Manager I had to switch the guest machine's display to Spice.
  • Before That, back in my Linux host I had to fire up Synaptic Package Manager and install gir1.2-spice-client-gtk-3.0.

In case the question pops up - what if it's Ubuntu server or similar?

Don't run around in circles - install openssh-server on the vm, and when you ssh in you cut and paste into your favourite terminal.

Tags:

Kvm