# SnippingTool.exe

Windows Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called snippingtool, snipping tool, snip and sketch

Windows, System Component

Snipping Tool. This is the editor and recorder app. The Win+Shift+S dim overlay is ScreenClippingHost.exe.

## What you need to know

This is the Snipping Tool app. ScreenClippingHost.exe is only the overlay.

SnippingTool.exe is Screen Sketch / Snipping Tool. It can record as well as capture. Ending it closes the editor. The hotkey overlay can still live in ScreenClippingHost.exe.

- **Safe?**: Yes. It is Snipping Tool

  **Same as Win+Shift+S?**: The overlay is a different host

  **Should I end it?**: You lose an unsaved snip or recording

Feex says

If I already have a snip open for markup, that is SnippingTool. If the screen is only dimmed, that is ScreenClippingHost. I treat them as two pieces.

## What is SnippingTool.exe?

SnippingTool.exe is the Windows Snipping Tool application in the ScreenSketch package.

## What does it do?

It opens captured images for markup and can record the screen. The rectangle overlay is ScreenClippingHost.exe. Paint is a different editor.

## Why is it running?

You opened Snipping Tool, or a snip handed off to the editor. A copy at logon is unusual unless you left a window open.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

The Microsoft.ScreenSketch package is Snipping Tool. A SnippingTool.exe in Downloads is not.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ScreenSketch_*\SnippingTool\SnippingTool.exe`

- Editor and recorder
- Overlay: ScreenClippingHost.exe
- Older Windows had System32\SnippingTool.exe

## Can I end it?

Closes the editor

Ending SnippingTool.exe drops unsaved markup or a recording in progress. The overlay host can still start on the next hotkey.

## Can I remove it?

Uninstall Snipping Tool

Uninstall Snipping Tool from Settings > Apps. The Win+Shift+S overlay can remain in ScreenClippingHost.exe, which is a different host.

## Should it start with Windows?

On demand, or after a snip hand-off.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: Higher while recording

  **Memory**: Follows resolution and recording length

  **Disk**: Saved captures

  **GPU**: During capture and record

## File information

| Executable name        | SnippingTool.exe                                                                      |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ScreenSketch\_\*\SnippingTool\SnippingTool.exe |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation                                                                 |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows                                                           |

## Common problems

### Hotkey works after uninstall

ScreenClippingHost.exe is a separate CBS host.

### People paste into Paint and hunt SnippingTool

Two apps. Check which window is open.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### Win+Shift+S then look for this process after you mark up

Overlay first, editor second.

### Do not download a "snip tool" exe

Use the Store app.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name | SnippingTool.exe |
| ---------- | ---------------- |
| Product    | Snipping Tool    |

## Related

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

[ScreenClippingHost.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/screenclippinghost.exe)[mspaint.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/mspaint.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 Tool ](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots)· Capture and record
- [Microsoft Store: Snipping Tool ](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mz95kl8mr0l)· Screen Sketch package
- [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**: SnippingTool.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ScreenSketch\_\*\SnippingTool\SnippingTool.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/snippingtool.exe/)

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