Snipping Tool

ApplicationMicrosoft Corporation

Also called snip and sketch, snippingtool, win+shift+s

Microsoft CorporationSystem

The Windows 11 capture app that absorbed Snip & Sketch. The editor is SnippingTool.exe. It is not ShareX.

What you need to know

Snipping Tool is the Windows capture app. ShareX is the third-party suite.

Windows 11 Snipping Tool absorbed Snip & Sketch. SnippingTool.exe is the editor. Win+Shift+S starts the overlay. ShareX is a separate install from getsharex.com.

What is it?: The Windows capture and markup app
Same as ShareX?: No. ShareX is third-party
Win+Shift+S?: Overlay is ScreenClippingHost. Editor is this app

Feex says

If I already have a snip open for markup, that is Snipping Tool. If you want scrolling capture and upload workflows, I would install ShareX. I would not download a random snip exe.

What is Snipping Tool?

SnippingTool.exe is the Screen Sketch / Snipping Tool editor. The Win+Shift+S overlay is ScreenClippingHost.exe. ShareX.exe is a different tray app you install from getsharex.com.

If you have never used it

If you press Win+Shift+S, Windows dim the screen and Snipping Tool is the app that opens the markup. Windows 11 folded Snip & Sketch into this name. You can also record. It is not ShareX, not Greenshot, and not Paint.

What is it used for?

Capture a rectangle and mark it up

Win+Shift+S then the editor. ShareX can replace this if you install it and steal the hotkey.

Record the screen on current Windows 11

Recording is a Snipping Tool feature. Greenshot is still-image first. ShareX can record too as a third-party tool.

Pin or delay a snip

Delay and pin extras live in this app. Paint only edits after you paste.

Who is it for?

Anyone who uses Win+Shift+S
People who still search for Snip & Sketch
Users deciding whether they need ShareX

Current status

Snipping Tool (2002) is a current screenshot and screen record from Microsoft Corporation. The vendor still points Windows users at https://support.microsoft.com/windows/snipping-tool.

How old is it?

Snipping Tool appeared with Tablet PC (2002) and Vista. Windows 10 added Snip & Sketch. Windows 11 merged those names into one Store app. ShareX remains a third-party install.

Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Windows 11 Snipping Tool

Legacy System32 Snipping Tool on older Windows

System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements
Operating system	Current Snipping Tool is the Windows 10/11 Store package. Recording extras are a current Windows 11 story
RAM	Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more.

Resource profile

CPU demand: Higher while recording
RAM demand: Follows resolution and recording length

Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

Installed processes
SnippingTool.exe	Editor and recorder
ScreenClippingHost.exe	Win+Shift+S overlay host

Startup components

Snipping Tool starts on demand or after a snip. A Startup shortcut is unusual.

File locations

Common Snipping Tool locations
Typical install	C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ScreenSketch_*\SnippingTool\

File formats

PNGJPEGGIFMP4 for recordings

Common problems

Hotkey works after you uninstall the editor

ScreenClippingHost.exe is a separate host. ShareX can also own Print Screen.

People paste into Paint and hunt SnippingTool

Two apps. Check which window is open.

Getting unstuck

Win+Shift+S, then look for SnippingTool after you mark up

Overlay first, editor second. ShareX is a tray icon if you installed that instead.

Do not download a "snip tool" exe. Use the Store app

The package is Microsoft.ScreenSketch. Repair it in Settings > Apps.

If Print Screen opens ShareX or Greenshot, change that app's hotkey

The in-box tool is Snipping Tool. Third-party hooks steal the key.

Alternatives

ShareX for power capture. Greenshot for simple arrows. Paint for edits after you paste.

Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

Official contacts
Download	support.microsoft.com/windows/snipping-tool Official installer or vendor page
Help	apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mz95kl8mr0l Vendor support
Official site	support.microsoft.com/windows/snipping-tool Start here, not a random exe host

Related hardware

Recording uses CPU, GPU, and disk. A still snip is cheap.

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

Snipping Tool official site · Vendor product page
Snipping Tool help · Vendor support
Microsoft Support: Snipping Tool · Capture and record
Microsoft Store: Snipping Tool · Screen Sketch package
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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