One Way Clipboard Sharing and Drag and Dropped Files

from Stardock Forums

Background
I have been using version 3 happily for a long time.
I have just purchased a new Win 11 computer and decided to upgrade Multiplicity.
I am now on 4.01 pro trial version.

My Setup
Three computers:  two win10;  one Win11.  All with current windows updates.
Multiplicity 4.01 is installed on all three, Seamless mode.
All three are hard-wired on same home network.

The Issue
1. Clipboard Sharing
   It works between the two win10 machines
   It works from the two WIn10 machines to Win11
   It does NOT work from Win11 to either WIn10. (it shows a wait icon for a few seconds and nothing happens).

2. Drag and Drop Files

  Same behavior as with the clipboard

One set of mouse and keyboard work as expected.

Here are my settings on the Primary Computer

Thanks

clipboard sharing drag and drop multiplicity
2,932 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

It sounds like the Windows 11 firewall is blocking the clipboard sharing.  When a clipboard item is shared from machine A to machine B, it is machine B that connects to machine A to get the contents.  So the machine that has the data already in the clipboard is the one thats blocking incoming connections.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for your reply.


The fire wall is indeed the culprit.
However, I noticed that my win10 were set as private network while win11 was set as public. (I followed Microsoft recommendation to chose Public).
I changed the network profile on win11 from Public to Private, assuming that the lesser restrictions on private network will allow clipboard and file sharing, but it did not.

I tried to use "Allow an app through firewall" (found on the Firewall & network protection tab), but neither Stardock nor Multiplicity appear in the pre-populated list, and I could not see an option to add an app manually.

I am looking for a solution which does not involve compromising my computer security.
Turning off the Firewall for my Private network is not an option.
If this is the only solution, I will kiss Multiplicity goodbye.

There must be a better and secure way to handle it.


By the way, win10 firewall is on for all networks and it allows the sharing. See pic below




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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Your network must be set to private.

For security reasons we only open the ports in the Microsoft firewall for private networks.  Typically this would be your home/work network.  Public would be say the WiFi network in a coffee shop.

If you reboot after your firewall changes does that help?

On install we open the ports required automatically.  There are many processes involved in Multiplicity.  It uses ports 39564-30569.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Bingo!!!

Neil, thank you very much!

When I disabled the firewall earlier, the clipboard/file sharing worked immediately, without having to reboot, so I wrongly assumed that it was not necessary. My bad.
The reboot was not necessary in both cases: when my Win11 was set as Public network, as well as after I changed it manually to a Private one.

Following your advice, I realized why it was necessary. Upon reboot, Windows asked me if I want to allow access to the software, with granular permission to either or both network types.  As per your instructions, I approved access to the private network only.

I was curious to see if Stardock / Multiplicity was added to the list of "Allow an app through firewall". It was indeed.

Now everything works.

Thanks again!

 

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting dovyrr007, reply 4

Bingo!!!

Neil, thank you very much!

When I disabled the firewall earlier, the clipboard/file sharing worked immediately, without having to reboot, so I wrongly assumed that it was not necessary. My bad.
The reboot was not necessary in both cases: when my Win11 was set as Public network, as well as after I changed it manually to a Private one.

Following your advice, I realized why it was necessary. Upon reboot, Windows asked me if I want to allow access to the software, with granular permission to either or both network types.  As per your instructions, I approved access to the private network only.

I was curious to see if Stardock / Multiplicity was added to the list of "Allow an app through firewall". It was indeed.

Now everything works.

Thanks again!

 
End of dovyrr007's quote

That's great to hear.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Just for the record.  Public Education...
I want to share new information (at least for me).

I previously wrote:

 -- I tried to use "Allow an app through firewall" (found on the Firewall & network protection tab), but neither Stardock nor Multiplicity appear in the pre-populated list, and I could not see an option to add an app manually" --

Well, it is possible to manually add an app to the exception list.
You need to sign in as Admin by clicking Change settings and then click on Allow another app...

 

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Well this thread was mighty useful thank you all.

I too was struggling with this, I could both drag & drop and copy & paste from the primary computer to the secondary ones but not the other way around.

I did gather that in all likelihood the Windows Firewall was to blame for the behaviour - the Multiplicity FAQ suggested as much:

https://forums.stardock.com/486104/multiplicity-support-faq#cantcopy

Alas it wasn't until I read the post by @Neil Banfield that I realised that I was tinkering with the firewall on the wrong computer! (primary) hence my actions having zero effect on the problem.