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Snipping Tool is normally included with Windows 11, so you usually do not need to download or enable a separate feature. If it is installed, open Start, type Snipping Tool, and select it. You can also start an image capture immediately with Windows + Shift + S.
If the shortcut does nothing, the app is missing, or the Print Screen key is not launching Snipping Tool, use the steps below to install, repair, and enable the relevant settings.
Check whether Snipping Tool is already enabled
- Open Start.
- Type Snipping Tool.
- Select the app from the search results.
When Snipping Tool opens, select Snipping Mode and choose one of these capture types:
| Mode | What it captures |
|---|---|
| Rectangle | An area you draw around with the mouse or touchpad |
| Window | A selected application window |
| Full screen | The entire display immediately |
| Freeform | An irregular area traced by hand |
Select New, then make the selection if the chosen mode requires one. The image opens in the Snipping Tool editor.
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Enable Snipping Tool with the keyboard shortcut
The fastest way to activate the screenshot overlay is:
Windows logo key + Shift + S- Press Windows + Shift + S.
- Wait for the screen to dim and the capture toolbar to appear at the top.
- Choose Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform.
- Capture the required content.
The capture is copied to the clipboard. In current Windows 11 versions, it is also normally saved automatically in Pictures > Screenshots, unless automatic saving has been changed in Snipping Tool settings.
For screen recording, press:
Windows logo key + Shift + RThen select New, draw the rectangular recording area, select Start, and select Stop when finished.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchEnable the Print Screen key for Snipping Tool
Windows 11 can assign the Print Screen key to the screen-capture overlay. This is useful if you want one key instead of Windows + Shift + S.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Select Keyboard.
- Turn on Use the Print Screen key to open screen capture.
Pressing PrtSc, PrtScn, or PrntScrn should now open the capture overlay instead of only copying the full screen.
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If you prefer the traditional behavior, turn this setting off. The Print Screen key will then copy a full-screen image to the clipboard.
Install Snipping Tool if it is missing
If searching for Snipping Tool produces no result, install it through the Microsoft Store.
- Open Start and select Microsoft Store.
- Search for Snipping Tool.
- Choose the Microsoft-published app.
- Select Get, Install, or Update, depending on what the Store displays.
- After installation, select Open.
Do not install an unknown screenshot utility just because it uses a similar name. Windows 11’s current Snipping Tool combines the older Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch experiences.
Repair or reset Snipping Tool
If the app is installed but the shortcut or capture controls do not work, repair the app before reinstalling Windows components.
- Open Settings with Windows + I.
- Select Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Snipping Tool.
- Select the three-dot button next to it.
- Select Advanced options.
- Select Repair.
Test Windows + Shift + S again. If it still fails, return to the same page and select Reset. Resetting removes the app’s stored data and settings, but it does not remove your already-saved screenshots.
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Update Snipping Tool
Snipping Tool is delivered and updated through the Microsoft Store. An outdated app can cause a shortcut to fail or leave newer controls, such as recording or text extraction, unavailable.
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- Open Microsoft Store.
- Select Library.
- Select Get updates.
- Allow Snipping Tool to update if an update is listed.
You can also check for Windows updates under Settings > Windows Update. Feature availability can vary with the Windows build, the Snipping Tool app version, device hardware, region, and staged Microsoft Store rollouts.
Configure Snipping Tool after enabling it
Open Snipping Tool, select the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, and select Settings. Depending on your version, you can configure automatic saving, automatic copying, and whether the app opens after a capture.
To save a capture manually:
- Capture the screen.
- Select Save as, or press Ctrl + S.
- Choose a folder and file name.
- Select Save.
To paste a capture directly into another application, select Copy or press Ctrl + C. A capture being copied to the clipboard does not necessarily mean it has been saved as a file.
Enable delayed captures for menus and pop-ups
Menus often disappear as soon as you click another control. Use Snipping Tool’s delay option when a normal capture cannot preserve the menu.
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- Open Snipping Tool.
- Select the delay control.
- Choose a delay from 1 to 5 seconds.
- Choose the required snipping mode.
- Select New.
- Open the menu or pop-up during the countdown.
- Capture it when the screen dims.
For a menu that is already open, Ctrl + PrtSc can start a capture while helping preserve the menu.
What to do when the shortcut still does nothing
- Launch the app directly: search for Snipping Tool from Start. If it opens, the problem is probably related to the shortcut, keyboard, or notification rather than the app itself.
- Check the keyboard: try the on-screen keyboard or an external keyboard. On some laptops, PrtSc requires Fn.
- Update Windows and Store apps: use Settings > Windows Update and Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates.
- Repair the app: go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Snipping Tool > Advanced options > Repair.
- Reset the app: use the Reset button on the same page if Repair does not help.
- Check notifications: if the screenshot is captured but no notification appears, open Settings > System > Notifications and make sure notifications are allowed. Focus mode or Do not disturb can also hide the notification.
Even when the notification is missing, the image may still be available in the clipboard or in Pictures > Screenshots.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Snipping Tool features that may not be available
Not every Windows 11 computer receives every Snipping Tool feature at the same time. Screen recording is available on supported current versions, while features announced through Windows Insider releases may be limited to preview builds or staged rollouts.
Perfect screenshot and the Snipping Tool Color picker are Copilot+ PC features rather than standard features on every Windows 11 computer. Text actions and OCR also depend on the installed app version and work less reliably with blurry images, handwriting, unusual fonts, or low-contrast text.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf a feature mentioned online is absent, update the Microsoft Store app first. If it remains unavailable, check whether the feature requires a particular Windows build, Insider channel, region, language, or Copilot+ hardware.
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FAQ
Is Snipping Tool already enabled in Windows 11?
Usually, yes. Snipping Tool is included with Windows 11. Search for it from Start, or press Windows + Shift + S to open the screenshot overlay. If it is missing, install it from Microsoft Store.
Why does Windows + Shift + S not work?
Launch Snipping Tool directly, update it through Microsoft Store > Library > Get updates, and use Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Snipping Tool > Advanced options > Repair. Reset the app if Repair does not solve the problem.
How do I make Print Screen open Snipping Tool?
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and turn on Use the Print Screen key to open screen capture.
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They are normally saved in Pictures > Screenshots. If OneDrive folder backup is enabled, the effective location may be inside the OneDrive Pictures folder. You can also use Snipping Tool’s Save as command to choose another location.
Does Windows 11 have Snip & Sketch?
The current Windows 11 experience is Snipping Tool. Microsoft consolidated the older Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch experiences into the current app.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows 11 installations, enabling Snipping Tool means opening it from Start or pressing Windows + Shift + S. If it is missing, install it from Microsoft Store; if it is installed but unresponsive, update or repair it under Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Snipping Tool > Advanced options. To use the dedicated screenshot key, enable Use the Print Screen key to open screen capture under Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
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