How to Restore the Snipping Tool After Accidental Removal on Windows 11

The Snipping Tool is a built-in utility in Windows 11 for capturing screenshots and screen recordings. Accidentally removing it can happen after a system cleanup, a misconfigured group policy, or using a PowerShell command to uninstall default apps. This article explains three reliable methods to restore the Snipping Tool without reinstalling the entire Windows operating system.

The Snipping Tool is part of the Windows 11 operating system image and is managed through the Windows Package Manager and Settings app. When removed, it does not affect other system components, but the user loses quick access to screen capture features. The methods below cover restoration via Settings, PowerShell, and the Microsoft Store.

Follow the steps in order based on your comfort level with command-line tools. The first method is the simplest and requires no technical expertise.

Why the Snipping Tool Disappears From Windows 11

The Snipping Tool is a UWP app that ships with Windows 11 as part of the operating system image. It is not a traditional desktop program that can be uninstalled through the Control Panel. Instead, it is removed through the Settings app’s Installed apps page, via a PowerShell command such as Get-AppxPackage SnippingTool | Remove-AppxPackage, or by a third-party cleanup tool that targets Windows default apps.

When the Snipping Tool is removed, the app package is deleted from the current user profile but remains in the system image at C:\Windows\SystemApps\Microsoft.ScreenSketch_8wekyb3d8bbwe. This is why the restoration process does not require downloading a new installer from the internet. The methods below re-register or reinstall the existing package for the current user.

Method 1: Restore Through Windows 11 Settings

This is the fastest method for users who prefer a graphical interface. It works if the Snipping Tool is listed in Installed apps but is not functioning or is missing from the Start menu.

1. Open the Settings app
   Press Windows + I on your keyboard. Alternatively, click the Start button and select the gear icon.
2. Navigate to Installed apps
   Go to Apps > Installed apps. Wait for the list to load completely.
3. Find the Snipping Tool entry
   Type Snipping Tool in the search box at the top of the Installed apps page. If the app appears in the list, click the three-dot menu on the right side of its row.
4. Click Advanced options
   From the drop-down menu, select Advanced options. A new page opens with repair and reset options.
5. Repair or Reset the app
   Click the Repair button. Windows 11 will attempt to fix the app without removing your data. If Repair does not restore functionality, click Reset. Resetting deletes the app’s data and reinstalls the package from the system image.
6. Launch the Snipping Tool
   After the process completes, press the Start key and type Snipping Tool. Click the app icon to verify it opens correctly.

If the Snipping Tool does not appear in the Installed apps list at all, proceed to Method 2 or Method 3.

Method 2: Reinstall Using PowerShell

PowerShell provides a direct way to re-register the Snipping Tool package for the current user. This method works even if the app entry is missing from Settings.

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator
   Press Windows + X and select Terminal (Admin) from the menu. If PowerShell is not the default tab, click the down arrow and choose Windows PowerShell. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
2. Run the re-registration command
   Type the following command and press Enter:
   Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers SnippingTool | ForEach-Object {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppxManifest.xml"}
   This command locates the Snipping Tool package in the system image and re-registers it for all user accounts on the device.
3. Verify the installation
   After the command finishes without errors, close PowerShell. Press the Start key and type Snipping Tool. The app should appear in the search results.

If the command returns an error stating that the package cannot be found, the system image may be corrupted. In that case, run the Deployment Imaging and Servicing Management tool first: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. After DISM completes, repeat the PowerShell command.

Method 3: Install From the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store hosts the Snipping Tool as a separate app entry. This method is useful if the system image does not contain the package or if the previous methods failed.

1. Open the Microsoft Store
   Click the Start button and type Microsoft Store. Click the app icon to open it.
2. Search for Snipping Tool
   In the Store’s search bar at the top, type Snipping Tool and press Enter. The official app from Microsoft Corporation should appear first in the results.
3. Click Install
   On the app page, click the Install button. The Store will download and install the latest version of the Snipping Tool. This process requires an active internet connection.
4. Launch the app
   After installation completes, click the Open button in the Store, or press the Start key and search for Snipping Tool.

The Store version may receive updates more frequently than the system image version. After installation, you can pin the app to the taskbar for quick access: right-click the app icon in the Start menu and select Pin to taskbar.

Common Restoration Problems and Their Fixes

PowerShell command returns access denied error

This error occurs when PowerShell is not running with administrator privileges. Close the terminal window, right-click the Terminal icon, and select Run as administrator. Then repeat Method 2. If the error persists, check if your user account has standard user permissions. Standard users cannot register app packages for other users.

Microsoft Store shows the app as not available in your region

The Snipping Tool is available in all regions where Windows 11 is sold. If you see this message, your Store cache may be corrupted. Reset the Store cache by running the wsreset.exe command. Press Windows + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. The Store will open automatically after the cache clears. Try the installation again.

Snipping Tool opens but crashes immediately

This indicates a corrupted app data file. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Snipping Tool, click the three-dot menu, and select Advanced options. Click Reset to clear the app data. If the problem continues, uninstall the app using PowerShell with Get-AppxPackage SnippingTool | Remove-AppxPackage and then reinstall using Method 3 from the Store.

Snipping Tool Restoration Methods Comparison

Item	Settings Reset	PowerShell Re-register
Requires admin rights	No	Yes
Works if app is missing from Installed apps	No	Yes
Requires internet connection	No	No
Preserves app data	Reset does not preserve data	Yes
Time to complete	1-2 minutes	30 seconds

Restoring the Snipping Tool is a straightforward process that does not require downloading third-party tools or reinstalling Windows. Start with the Settings method if the app entry is still visible. Use PowerShell if the app is completely removed from the system. The Microsoft Store method serves as a reliable fallback when system files are damaged.

After restoration, try the Windows + Shift + S keyboard shortcut to open the Snipping Tool directly in screen capture mode. This shortcut bypasses the Start menu and launches the tool instantly. For advanced users, the Snipping Tool can be configured to save screenshots automatically to a folder of your choice through the app’s Settings menu.