Win+shift+s (Snipping tool) not working for anyone else ?

ive noticed that the quick snip hotkey feature just simply wont work anymore. ive tried reinstalling the app and resetting it but it just refuses to work most times when im needing it. and the time it does work which is rarely its as if nothing has happened. Directly opening the app and snipping that way still works but if you do ctrl+shift+s first and try to snip something and then procedd to open the app manually then create new and snip etc nothing will happen. its as if the preview clipboard is currently being used and in task manager it shows this.


half of the app especially the quickest way to snip just doesn't work anymore for me. and i have no idea on how to fix it! 90% the shortcut hotkey doesn't work and the 10% it does its only after multiple before it finally works.

Hi, DiBBz!

This happened to me a while back in Windows 10, and I tried everything I could think of (or find on the Web), and nothing worked. I discovered Brink's tutorial here on TenForums for doing an in-place upgrade install, and it worked like a charm. Everything was unchanged when I finished, with the exception of a few customized icons, and everything worked correctly again, including some things I had forgotten were broken (cuz I seldom used them, and had forgotten).

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Actually mate I just use an icon on my taskbar / run/ type snipping tool/ right click /pin to taskbar

I've always used the PrtScn key for Snip & Sketch. Just be aware, it doesn't usually function with some System apps.

On those occasions, I use the Win key + PrtScn, paste into Paint and then use the PrtScn key to launch S&S.

DiBBz said:

print screen for snip & sketch isn't a different function its the exact same as win+shift+s, nothing is different about it thus subsequently the same problem arises.

Given that your testing has shown that both methods do not function correctly or consistently, Wizewiz' recommendation is a logical direction to go.
Before beginning a Repair Install I would suggest the following steps;

1) Create a restore point.
Create System Restore Point in Windows 10

2) Create an image backup using Macrium Reflect Free or other.

3) Use DISM online to confirm the Windows Component Store files are not corrupt.
Use DISM to Repair Windows 10 Image

4) Use SFC utility to confirm there are no damaged System files.
Run SFC Command in Windows 10


Should the SFC utility show it has corrected errors, run the process again until it shows no errors. Sometimes this can be running the SFC utility up to 3 times.

Should DISM or SFC show corruption or errors, after correcting same, test the function of Snip & Sketch again using your preferred method.

If the app still fails to function consistently & correctly, follow the direction from Wizewiz & perform a Repair Install.

Yes well I will keep on using the snipping tool as described just pinned to my taskbar as I do with Settings, This PC and the command prompt icon just for quick access. As for the snip an sketch option I find it very hard to use and have in the past ended up making a real mess of the snip I have saved.