Windows 10: Why does my PrtSc. button only take screenshots using Snipping Tool?

Discus and support Why does my PrtSc. button only take screenshots using Snipping Tool? in Windows 10 Gaming to solve the problem; I used to be able to press windows + prtsc and take a normal screenshot, which saved to my downloads file. Now, it only opens Snip and Sketch. I want... Discussion in 'Windows 10 Gaming' started by AnnaDT, Apr 22, 2025.

  1. AnnaDT Win User

    Why does my PrtSc. button only take screenshots using Snipping Tool?


    I used to be able to press windows + prtsc and take a normal screenshot, which saved to my downloads file. Now, it only opens Snip and Sketch. I want to be able to take a screenshot write away without having to drag or click anything else. Also, Snip and Sketch only saved in clipboard, and I have to manually go 'Save as' it to one of my files. I've also tried turning off 'open screen capture by pressing prtsc.' in the keyboard accessibility setting, but that did not work. I saw someone say that a reason may be the fact that my screenshots save to OneDrive. On my previous computer, they also sa

    :)
     
    AnnaDT, Apr 22, 2025
    #1

  2. Cannot screenshot with Snipping Tool

    Thanks for replying! I've done everything you suggested, but the issue still persists. To make it easier to troubleshoot, I've listed all the things I've tried so far.

    System Model: OMEN Laptop 15-ek1xxx

    Symptom: The Snipping Tool app opens as expected but when trying to take a screenshot by clicking on "New" inside the app or using its shortcuts (PrtSc or Windows + Shift + S), the cursor briefly changes to buffer and the app minimizes, but nothing happens.

    Troubleshooting Steps Taken:

    • Terminated Snipping Tool
    • Repaired Snipping Tool
    • Reset Snipping Tool
    • Updated Windows and drivers
    • Set time automatically
    • Set time to October 30/31, 2021
    • Enabled/disabled settings inside Snipping Tool
    • Enabled delay and fullscreen options inside Snipping Tool
    • Enabled notifications and priority notifications for Snipping Tool
    • Changed Snipping Tool to run "Always" as a background app
    • Enabled Clipboard History
    • Enabled "use PrtSc to use Snipping Tool"
    • Clicked on "New" inside Snipping Tool
    • Used the PrtSc key and Windows + Shift + S shortcut
    • Checked that the keyboard hardware is up to date and not faulty
    • Pinned Snipping Tool to the taskbar
    Advanced Troubleshooting Steps:

    • Disabled "Do not allow Snipping Tool to run" in gpedit (Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Tablet PC > Accessories)
    • Created the "DisableSnippingTool" key in registry (HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\TabletPC and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\TabletPC) and set it to 0
    • Created the "EnableSnippingTool" key in registry (Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Applets\SnippingTool) and set it to 1
    • Ran sfc/scannow
    • Ran DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    • Restarted Windows Explorer
    • Uninstalled and reinstalled Snipping Tool via PowerShell/cmd
    • Perfomed a Clean Boot
    • Created a new user profile
    What I have not tried:

    • Enabled App Permissions Picture on Snipping Tool (the option does not show on advanced options)
    • Ran the Windows 11 Snipping Tool Directly from the "Windows.old" folder (I do not have Windows.old folder)
    • Reset Windows
     
    Vinicius Valins, Apr 22, 2025
    #2
  3. How to capture screenshot using PrtSc Key without opening Snipping Tool?

    Hi,

    I used to be able to press the PrtSc key and would automatically get a full-screen capture saved to clipboard. On other computers pressing PrtSc led to a sort of menu popping up, allowing for the capture of part or all of the screen. After making a selection, it would automatically save the image to the clipboard. No pop-ups or apps opening.

    I'm now using a new laptop with the newest version of Windows 11 and am experiencing a very annoying behavior where pressing the PrtSc key takes a full-screen capture and then opens Snipping Tool which I have to use in order to save the screenshot to the clipboard. Very inefficient. Is there a way to configure the PrtSc key to capture the full screen, save the image to clipboard and then not trigger any pop ups or open Snipping Tool?

    It seems this has been asked a bunch already but none of the solutions provided in other forums seem to work:

    1. Disabling the Print Screen key to open the Snipping Tool:

    (Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > "use print screen key to open Snipping Tool")

    I turned that off. The only effect that had is that while snipping tool still opens upon pressing the key, it no longer takes a screenshot.

    Great ;( . Turning it back on has no effect; changing that setting somehow permanently screwed up Snipping Tool. Restarting doesn't help. This setting is misleading and seems to not work as it is supposed to.

    2. Disabling Snipping Tool executable using services.msc

    Press Windows Key + R Key->Type “services. msc”->hit Enter Key -> Search for Snipping tool.exe -> ...

    The Snipping Tool executable doesn't appear in this menu. Comments in other forums suggest this is a common problem. There are other tutorials suggesting using some .msc to disable Snipping Tool .exe but none worked for me. It never appears in the menus.

    3. What does work? Pressing Windows + Shift + s. This auto-captures screenshot and saves to clipboard. Unfortunately this also causes Snipping Tool to pop up, but that's not the end of the world I guess. I would greatly appreciate the option to screen capture in-background using the PrtSc key though.

    Thanks in advance
     
    Martin Determann, Apr 22, 2025
    #3
  4. gdstuart Win User

    Why does my PrtSc. button only take screenshots using Snipping Tool?

    How can I stop the snipping tool from using PrtSc key?

    I have tried several suggested fixes for this and none have worked:

    1. My PC does not have gpedit.msc, so I cannot view or change the Group Policy.
    2. Services does not contain the Snipping Tool, so I cannot control it from there.
    3. I can get to the Properties dialog for the Snipping Tool, but I cannot change the Shortcut entry.
    So please don't suggest any of these paths. There are so many variations online for which hotkey combo should work the Snipping Tool. All I want is to DISABLE PrtSc from Snipping Tool so I can use it for another app.

    I would be just as happy totally disabling the Snipping Tool, because I use SnagIt. So if anyone can tell me how to accomplish that, I'd be grateful.

    Please assist if you can and thanks in advance.
     
    gdstuart, Apr 22, 2025
    #4
Thema:

Why does my PrtSc. button only take screenshots using Snipping Tool?

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