System.ArgumentException when trying to get items from IStorageFolder (from clipboard)

When trying to get items from folder, that is retrieved from Clipboard content System.ArgumentException: Value does not fall within the expected range. exception is thrown.

Here is sample code to reproduce issue:

var cb = Clipboard.GetContent();
var storageItems = await cb.GetStorageItemsAsync();
foreach (var item in storageItems)
{
    if (item is IStorageFolder)
    {
        var pastedFolderItems = await (item as IStorageFolder).GetItemsAsync() // <= Exception
    }
    else if (item is IStorageFile)
    {
        // With storage item everyting works.
    }
}

Exception Details

System.ArgumentException occurred HResult=0x80070057 Message=Value does not fall within the expected range. Source=System.Private.CoreLib

[oldnewthing]

I just confirmed with the feature team that this is a bug and it is being tracked on the product side. It occurs if the folder was placed on the clipboard by a non-UWP app.

[oldnewthing]

This turns out to be on purpose, for security reasons. Otherwise, UWP apps could “steal” any file copied to the clipboard. The code in this repo handles the issue correctly: By catching the exception and reporting that clipboard contents are not available.