# Snipping Tool

Application: Microsoft Corporation

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

Microsoft Corporation, System

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

| 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.

| 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

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.ScreenSketch\_\*\SnippingTool\\ |
| --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |

## File formats

PNG, JPEG, GIF, MP4 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.

| Download      | [support.microsoft.com/windows/snipping-tool ](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/snipping-tool)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Help          | [apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mz95kl8mr0l ](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mz95kl8mr0l)Vendor support                              |
| Official site | [support.microsoft.com/windows/snipping-tool ](https://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

Technical details

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

## Related

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

[SnippingTool.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/snippingtool.exe)[Microsoft Paint: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/microsoft-paint)[ShareX: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/sharex)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

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

- [Snipping Tool official site ](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/snipping-tool)· Vendor product page
- [Snipping Tool help ](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9mz95kl8mr0l)· Vendor support
- [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.

- **Developer**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Category**: Screenshot and screen record

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

  **License**: Included with Windows

  **First released**: 2002

  **Official site**: [support.microsoft.com/snipping-tool](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/snipping-tool)

  **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/software/snipping-tool/)

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