Snipping Tool Not Saving Anything

Connor Naaden 20 Reputation points
2026-08-31T13:59:50.1566667+00:00

Hello - I'm currently on Windows 10. After doing some desktop cleanup I am not unable to save anything captured with the Snipping Tool.

1000049894

Since I can't use the snipping tool to save anything right now I have to take pictures of my computer screen with my phone. These are the options available to me in the Snipping Tool Options - I can not see the location my snips are set to save to.

1000049895

I've seen some other answers to this question ask for the My Pictures file in the shown Registry Editor path. This is what it looks like.

Please help ASAP - I use snipping tool frequently in my line of work.

Windows for home | Other | Apps
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  1. Paulo GM 71,975 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-31T15:02:14.3133333+00:00

    Hi,

    If I remember correctly, the screenshot tool used in Windows 10 is Snip & Sketch, not the one shown in your screenshot, which is already obsolete. If you open the Microsoft Store and look for Snipping Tool, the app that opens on Windows 10 should be Snip & Sketch.

    That said, what happens when you press Windows + Shift + S? Does it bring up the snipping toolbar at the top and lets you select an area of the screen to capture?

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-31T14:00:15.91+00:00

    Try these steps in order:

    1. Capture a snip and save it manually.
      • Press Windows logo key + Shift + S.
      • Capture the area.
      • When the notification appears, open the snip in Snipping Tool.
      • Select Save in the upper-right and choose a local folder such as Pictures.
      • Expected result: the file saves normally to the folder selected.
    2. Use the clipboard as a workaround immediately.
      • Since Always copy snips to the Clipboard is enabled, after taking a snip, paste it with Ctrl + V into Paint, Word, or another app.
      • Then press Ctrl + S to save it.
      • This avoids any default save-location issue.
    3. Save to a local folder instead of a cloud-synced folder.
      • A reported fix for Snipping Tool save problems is to save to a local folder like Pictures instead of a cloud folder.
      • The registry screenshot shows My Pictures pointing to OneDrive\Pictures. That can be relevant if the save path is unavailable or not writable.
      • Expected result: saving works when the destination is local.
    4. Check the save location for permissions and available space.
      • Make sure the target folder has write permission and enough free space.
      • If the issue started after desktop cleanup or a system change, test with a newly created folder under Pictures.
    5. Reset Snipping Tool.
      • Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > Snipping Tool > Advanced Options > Reset.
      • This is a standard fix for Snipping Tool save failures.
      • Expected result: Snipping Tool returns to normal saving behavior.
    6. If reset does not help, repair or reinstall the app.
      • Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
      • Find Snipping Tool.
      • Open Advanced Options and run Repair, then Reset.
      • If the problem continues, uninstall Snipping Tool, restart Windows, and install the latest version from the Microsoft Store.
    7. If needed, use Print Screen temporarily.
      • Print Screen copies the full screen to the clipboard.
      • Alt + Print Screen copies only the active window.
      • Paste with Ctrl + V into an app and save from there.

    The most likely issue in this case is the save target under OneDrive\Pictures after the cleanup. Testing a manual save to a local Pictures folder is the fastest way to confirm it.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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