The Snipping Tool is a built-in program in Windows that lets you capture screenshots. You can use this tool if you want to share something with someone or if you need to save a copy of what is on your screen.

However, if you don't use it to take screenshots or rely on other third-party applications instead, you might not need this tool on your device. As such, if you would like to disable the Snipping Tool on your Windows 11 PC, this guide will help you in doing so.

What Is the Snipping Tool?

The Snipping Tool is a screen capture utility on the Windows operating system that allows you to take screenshots and crop them in various ways. The tool offers different features, such as Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, Full-screen, and Free form mode, for taking screenshots on the computer.

The best thing about this tool is that it comes pre-installed with all versions of Windows. This means you don’t need to download anything to use it. Take a look at our article on why you should use the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 which highlights its superiority over other screen capture methods.

How to Disable the Snipping Tool in Windows 11

You can disable the Snipping Tool through the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor.

1. How to Disable the Snipping Tool via the Local Group Policy Editor

The Local Group Policy Editor is an excellent tool that you can use to configure a wide range of system settings on your Windows 11 PC. So, if you're not a fan of the Snipping Tool, you can disable it using the Local Group Policy Editor.

This tool is only available in the Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows 11. Therefore, if you are running the Home edition of the OS, you will first need to enable the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows Home. Alternatively, you can skip it and move directly on to the next solution if it seems too complicated.

Here’s how you can disable the Snipping Tool using the Local Group:

  1. Press the Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. In the text field, type "gpedit.msc" and then click the OK button to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
  3. Navigate to the following locations when you're in the Local Group Policy Editor:: 
            User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Tablet PC > Accessories
  4. From the left pane side, select the Accessories folder, then double-click on the Do not allow Snipping Tool to run on the right
    Do not allow Snipping Tool to run
  5. Select the Enabled radio button in the dialog box that appears.
  6. After you've made your changes, click Apply and OK to save them.
    Disable Snipping Tool using Group Policy

You will need to restart your computer after completing the steps above in order for the changes to take effect. When you restart your computer, check if the Snipping Tool is disabled. For this, press the Win + Shift + S keyboard shortcut, and you will see the following error message:

Windows cannot open this program because it has been prevented by a software restriction policy. For more information, open Event Viewer or contact your system administrator.

If you ever need to enable the Snipping Tool again, open the Local Group Policy Editor again. Then, set the Do not allow Snipping Tool to run radio button to "Disabled". After making the changes, make sure you click Apply > OK.

2. How to Disable the Snipping Tool Using the Registry Editor

The Windows Registry is another method you can use to disable the Snipping Tool in Windows 11. One issue with this tool is that it's pretty sensitive, so if you accidentally edit the wrong keys, it could seriously damage your device. In such a case, it’s always advisable to back up the Registry first before making any changes to its settings.

This guide will walk you through the process of disabling the Snipping Tool in Windows 11.

  1. Press the Win + R keys to open the Run Command dialog box.
  2. In the text field, type "regedit" and press the Enter key.
  3. The UAC window will appear on the screen. Click the Yes button to confirm your action.
  4. Once you've opened the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location: 
            HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\ Microsoft\TabletPC
  5. In case the TabletPC key does not exist, you will need to create it. For this, right-click on Microsoft and select New > Key.
    Adding a New Registry Key
  6. Give it the name "TabletPC" and then hit Enter to save it.
  7. Now right-click on TabletPC and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
    Disable Snipping Tool using Registry Editor
  8. Name the value as DisableSnippingTool and then press Enter.
  9. Double-click on the newly created DWORD key, which will open a pop-up window.
  10. Make sure the Hexadecimal base is selected and change the value data to 1.
    Tweak Registry to Disable Snipping Tool.
  11. Click OK to save your changes.

After making the above changes, close the Registry window and restart your computer. When you restart, the Snipping Tool will no longer be available.

In case you need to use the Snipping Tool at any time, you can enable it at any time. For this, you should open the Registry Editor and right-click the DisableSnippingTool key. From the Context menu, select Modify and select 0 as Value data.

Tweak Registry to Enable Snipping Tool

To save your changes, select Hexadecimal as your base and click OK. Once you have done so, close the Registry window. Also, don't forget to restart your device after making these changes.

Now the Snipping Tool Is No Longer Available

Taking screenshots on your computer is quite easy when you use Windows' Snipping app, but this is not your only option. Different third-party tools and Windows hotkeys can also be used to capture your screen.