The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 (accessed via Windows Key + Shift + S) is essential for taking quick screenshots. However, because Microsoft frequently pushes background updates to it via the Microsoft Store, its core application files can become corrupted. When this happens, pressing the shortcut keys might result in a brief screen dimming followed by an immediate crash, or the app might fail to save the screenshot to your clipboard entirely.
Because the Snipping Tool is deeply integrated into the Windows 11 shell experience, simply “repairing” it in the Settings app rarely works. To truly fix persistent crashing loops, you must completely uninstall the tool via PowerShell and force the Microsoft Store to download a factory-fresh copy.
How to Completely Reinstall the Windows 11 Snipping Tool
You must use an administrative PowerShell window to force the removal of this core system app.
- Click the Start button and type PowerShell.
- Right-click on the “Windows PowerShell” result and select Run as administrator. (Click “Yes” on the UAC prompt).
- You must now execute a command to forcefully uninstall the Snipping Tool package for all users on the PC. Carefully copy and paste the following exact command:
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.ScreenSketch* -AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage - Press Enter. A brief progress bar will flash across the screen. The Snipping Tool is now completely gone from your PC.
- Close the PowerShell window.
- Now, open the Microsoft Store app from your Start menu.
- In the search bar at the top, type Snipping Tool and press Enter.
- Click on the official Microsoft app in the search results (it will have a blue icon with a pair of scissors).
- Click the Get or Install button.
The Microsoft Store will download a pristine, uncorrupted version of the app and automatically reintegrate it with the Windows shell. You can immediately press Windows Key + Shift + S to verify that your screen capture tool is working perfectly again.