# ScreenClippingHost.exe

Windows Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called screenclippinghost, screen clip, snip overlay

Windows, System Component

Screen clip host. Win+Shift+S starts the snip overlay. SnippingTool.exe is the Snipping Tool app that can open after the clip.

## What you need to know

This is the Win+Shift+S overlay, not the full Snipping Tool app.

ScreenClippingHost.exe draws the dimmed snip rectangle. The editor that opens after can be Snipping Tool. Ending the host cancels the snip.

- **Safe?**: Yes. You started a snip

  **Same as Snipping Tool?**: No. That app is SnippingTool.exe

  **Should I end it?**: The overlay closes

Feex says

If the screen is dim and this host is running, I am in the middle of a snip. Ending SnippingTool.exe would be the wrong process if the editor is not open yet.

## What is ScreenClippingHost.exe?

ScreenClippingHost.exe is the screen clipping overlay in the Client CBS package.

## What does it do?

It captures a region to the clipboard and can hand off to Snipping Tool. It does not record video. That is a different Snipping Tool mode.

## Why is it running?

You pressed Win+Shift+S or a Print Screen setting that launches snip. The host should exit after the capture.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

The CBS clipping host is Microsoft. A ScreenClippingHost.exe in a "screenshot pro" zip is not.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_*\ScreenClippingHost.exe`

- Snip overlay
- Editor may be SnippingTool.exe
- Clipboard gets the image

## Can I end it?

Cancels the snip

Ending ScreenClippingHost.exe closes the dim overlay and cancels that snip. SnippingTool.exe is only involved if the editor already opened.

## Can I remove it?

No

Do not delete the CBS host. Change Print Screen behavior in Settings if you want a different tool.

## Should it start with Windows?

The hotkey starts it. Not Startup Apps.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: A short spike while capturing

  **GPU**: Fullscreen dim

  **Memory**: Follows resolution

  **Disk**: None unless you save

## File information

| Executable name        | ScreenClippingHost.exe                                                       |
| ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS\_\*\ScreenClippingHost.exe |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation                                                        |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows                                                  |

## Common problems

### Overlay stuck dim

End ScreenClippingHost.exe. That is the overlay, not DWM.

### People uninstall Snipping Tool and the hotkey still works

The overlay host can remain. Two pieces.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Print Screen

Whether Print Screen opens snip.

### Do not replace the host

CBS package.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name | ScreenClippingHost.exe |
| ---------- | ---------------------- |
| Role       | Screen snip overlay    |

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[SnippingTool.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/snippingtool.exe)[PickerHost.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/pickerhost.exe)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Microsoft Support: snipping ](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/use-snipping-tool)· Win+Shift+S
- [Microsoft Learn: Windows ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows)· Primary Windows documentation
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

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Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Type**: Windows Process

  **Publisher**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Executable**: ScreenClippingHost.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS\_\*\ScreenClippingHost.exe

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/process/screenclippinghost.exe/)

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