async clipboard when using RDP

[konosubakonoakua]

Describe the bug

Important

I'm running ubuntu22 on Vmware Workstation 17.6.0 build-24238078 on win11 23h2 (The host)

I also have another win11 PC (The guest).

The vmtools clipboard works properly on the host, after copying I can paste them in VM immediateyly.

I have the RDP (remote desktop protocol) clipborad working properly when not pasting something into the virtual machine, I mean there's no delay. I perss Ctrl-c on the host PC, then I can paste the contents immediately on the guest PC.

But, When I'm using RDP to paste something into VM, the clipboard behaves async.
I can not paste the content immediately, otherwise the clipboard on VM will retain the last time content, no new content is synced.

I also find that If I press something else on the host PC, i.e. the taskbar, then I have the vm clipboard synced with new content immediately. I can only paste after I click something on host.

Reproduction steps

1. run VM on computer A
2. connenct computer A by RDP on computer B
3. keep copying something on computer B
4. on computer B, try to paste to VM in RDP
5. try multiple times, observe if the clipboard is synced.
   ...

Expected behavior

VM clipboard should keep synced with HOST system clipboard when using RDP.
No click needed.

Additional context

No response

[konosubakonoakua]

Virtual Box does not have this issue.

[vmwkruti1111]

@konosubakonoakua ,

I couldn't reproduce this issue.
Steps I followed while trying to reproduce it:

• first Installed Vmware Workstation 17.6.0 build-24238078 (on physical host Win11 23h2),
• then created a Windows 11 (23H2) VM on the Workstation, installed vmtools 12.4.5 on the same Windows 11 Guest VM.
• joined to Windows 11 VM via RDP with clipboard enabled

I was able to copy any text from host to VM and from VM to host (VM connected via RDP) without any delay or need to enter any other key.

[konosubakonoakua]

Hi, @vmwkruti1111
I'm running ubuntu22 on vmware 17.6.0. Not sure about the win11 guest vm

[konosubakonoakua]

Now I switched to vmware 17.5.2 because of the kernel 6.8 issue with vmware 17.6.0.
I can also reproduce it on 17.5.2.

[vmwkruti1111]

Hi @konosubakonoakua ,

I tried on both workstation versions 17.5.2 and 17.6 for Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS as well and still couldn't reproduce the isssue,

Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS on workstation 17.5.2 on computer B (open-vm-tools 12.4.5)
Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS on workstation 17.6 on computer B (open-vm-tools 12.4.5)

copy paste worked well between guest<->host (i.e. computer B)

tried connecting the VM via RDP (clipboard enabled) from computer A (joined to same network), and still was able to copy the text from Comp A to the Guest VM (on Comp B) and vice versa.
There might be some issue with your RDP App ?

[konosubakonoakua]

Thanks for your effort, I'll check the RDP setting, I'm using the windows default RDP app BTW.

[konosubakonoakua]

I believe that it's not a RDP setup issue.
Because I have virtualbox worked well.

virtual.box.2024-10-05.19-34-49.mp4

[konosubakonoakua]

I have also found that the guest os ubuntu18.04 also has this issue, which means, I guess it's irrelevant to guest os.
Please watch this.

2024-10-05.19-45-04.mp4

Also, The clipboard works well on the host without RDP.
I think there must be something wrong when the clipboard interact with both rdp & vm-tool

[konosubakonoakua]

open-vm-tools 11.0.5 on ubuntu18

open-vm-tools 12.3.5 on ubuntu22

How can I update the open-vm-tools from 12.3.5 to 12.4.5? Should I try this version?

[konosubakonoakua]

I have also tried to swap computer A and B. The vm runs on computer A previously, now it runs on computer B, and I try to copy something from A then past to vm on B. I got the same result.

[konosubakonoakua]

I have also tried to connect via RustDesk instead of RDP, I can't paste anything in vm (both vbox & vmware).
It's a known issue: rustdesk/rustdesk#5701

[vmwkruti1111]

Well for me it worked with tools 12.3.5 too , also I don't think its tools issue as its working well on the same host and for me its working over RDP also.
Also tools support copy/paste functionality on the same host<->guest , but not for Guest VM on another host there RDP clipboard should work.

Screen.Recording.2024-10-05.180051.mp4

[johnwvmw]

Could this be another manifestaion of CnP and Drag-n-drop differences between using Xorg or Wayland.

Default desktop login is probably using Wayland. What is the behavior if you log out from the desktop and select a non-Wayland graphics client as you complete the password entry?

[konosubakonoakua]

@johnwvmw I tried to disable wayland and use X11.

# disable wayland
sudo sed -i "s/#WaylandEnable/WaylandEnable/" /etc/gdm3/custom.conf
# enable wayland
sudo sed -i "s/WaylandEnable/#WaylandEnable/" /etc/gdm3/custom.conf

Same result.