Illustrator Crashes When Copying - Illustrator 29.6.1 / Win 11

[Boon23853857gxj4]

I’m experiencing an issue with Adobe Illustrator where I cannot copy anything. Both Ctrl+C and right-click > Copy cause the software to crash immediately. This has been happening repeatedly throughout the day.

Could you please advise on the cause and any possible solution? It’s really frustrating that Illustrator can’t handle such a basic function like copying without crashing.

[Grrambo]

Work IT department believe it's a Microsoft Defender Issue as that was recently updated. If you are able to disable that, then restart and test it, that will fix it. If you are working for a company that does not let you disable it then message your IT department and let them know that it's likely the culprit.

[philip_7696]

Did this work?

[John23873686q4wy]

I have two Windows 11 machines, both are running defender, but the issue only appears on one machine. Not conclusive, but just a datapoint.

[Grrambo]

Running the latest Microsoft Defender update will fix this issue. Confirmed this morning.

I assume one of your systems might have installed their incompatible version automatically which is why only one system has this issue. The latest update is to resolve the copy paste issue.

[Grrambo]

It's been confirmed that it's a Microsoft Defender issue for PC computers. If you run yesterdays update (Aug 14, 2025) it'll fix the copy and paste issue with illustrator. 

[ZSS-S]

I wanted to give an update to Adobe based on what I've been testing out. Still no solution, however it definitely seems like it's somewhat related to opening Illustrator files. 

I'm on my work laptop so I can't disable Defender on Windows to test that out. I've tried many times to copy/paste when starting a brand new document and it works perfectly, but once I open a previously created file, copy/paste freezes the program and crashes. I also tried the other way around; I opened the previously created file and then created a brand new file and the crash happens then, too. The common factor between the two is the freezing/crashing happens once an old file is opened up at any point in the process.

I've also tried installing Illustrator (Beta) and the problem persists. 

I did one last test by creating a brand new document, knowing that anything I create can be copy/pasted. I tested it to make sure it worked (it did) I then saved the file to my desktop and closed out of Illustrator. I opened the file again, directly from the .exe file on the desktop, tried to copy/paste and it froze/crashed.

I guess, luckily, we can ALT (Hold) to duplicate, but that'll be small learning curve to make that stick for the time being, haha.

[dana_3537]

Has there been any resolve to this issue? I need to copy and paste to multiple layers in my file, so using the Alt+drag to copy is not an option for me. AI is provided on my work computer so I cannot work in safe mode or turn off Window defender. Any help would be appreciated..

[defaulthm3xq0he6tbh]

I'm having the same issue. Cannot use the copy function without Illustrator crashing instantly.

[Ton Frederiks]

I can find only one vote (edit: has become 10 since August 8) on this UserVoice report:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/50302284-illust...

[efficient_captain1991]

@Abhish @anubha Adobe is facing a potentially severe problem and the response so far is uncertain. Whether the company is truly addressing the matter or simply letting it linger is unclear. This is not a minor glitch it’s a critical threat to the design community’s trust. Are Adobe’s developers actively working to fix it, or are they offloading the responsibility to AI?

Or worse has the issue itself emerged from their rush to embed AI into the core of the software? Either way the silence and delay are unacceptable.

[JZ000]

Guys, use Alt+drag to copy befor it is solved!

[KYASARA]

Man you've literally saved my day today, thank you!

[efficient_captain1991]

This guy seems pretty chill and laid-back.

[LadyFife]

Unfortunately alt + drag doesn't help if you need to copy graphics from one document to another, like from an EPS to an AI file.

[Yiannis Leontoudis]

There is a technique. You can alt+drag the graphic you want to copy, and then drag it upon the tab of the file you want to paste it. 

[ViniciusUWA]

My adobe was working fine last week. Then, today I cannot use the Copy or Ctrl+C option on opened projects, just on new ones. I cannot deactivate Defender as it is the university laptop nor initiliaze on safe mode. Another colleagues of my lab are facing the same issue. I let the computer run the Windows 10 update last weeked (maybe the issue?).
Adobe illustrator v.29.7.1
Windows 10 Enterprise version 22H2
OS build 19045.6093

[Paul Vincent314431886qek]

Temporary Fix: Change copy, paste and cut shorcut keys

Try other "ctrl + letter" to be able to use those functions

[Drewt...]

Nice idea, but unfortunately doesn't work. I reassigned Ctrl+C to Ctrl+Alt+D, but it still fires off the same copy command which crashes Illustrator.

[Paul Vincent314431886qek]

I added mine to Ctrl + N for Cut and Ctrl + M for copy and is currently working

[Yiannis Leontoudis]

Temporary solution:

1. If you want to copy a graphic into the same file just use alt+drag
2. If you want to copy a graphic to another file, alt + drag to copy it and the drag it upon the new file's tab to instert it into the new file

.

I hope Adobe to fix it soon!!!

[ZSS-S]

This definitely needs to be upvoted more for those who aren't aware of ALT+Drag and Dropping into other windows on Illustrator. It's new muscle memory you have to learn but its actually our only work-around right now.

[KatJot_13]

This crashes mine as well tho

[ZSS-S]

That's interesting that it does. It's currently my only work around for it. I can ALT+Drag anything to duplicate it as much as i want but as soon as I try copy/paste (after opening up an illustrator file) it's an immediate crash.

[KatJot_13]

The irony is, alt+drag as it is my usual way of copying, it just works well for me. That's how I encountered the issue this morning first time. When I do use "copy" Illustrator just straight up goes away, no typical crash with a report. Fully dissapears as if it was never opened. When I use alt+drag it freezes for a bit and then gives me the report option (which I filled out like 10 times today god knows what for). 

[katarzynam62509421]

Me and my team are having the exact same issue (OS Name Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise). Trying to paste something inside illustrator or other programs (Figma, Power Point) crashes the program immiedietaly! Going back to previous version or disabling Microsoft Defender does'nt fix the problem!