How to Disable the Snipping Tool in Windows 11
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 onwhy you should use the Snipping Tool in Windows 11which highlights its superiority over other screen capture methods.
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 toenable 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 it’s possible to disable the Snipping Tool using the Local Group:
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 theWin + Shift + Skeyboard 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 theDo not allow Snipping Tool to runradio button to “Disabled”. After making the changes, make sure you clickApply>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 toback up the Registryfirst before making any changes to its settings.
This guide will walk you through the process of disabling the Snipping Tool in Windows 11.
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 shouldopen the Registry Editorand right-click the DisableSnippingTool key. From the Context menu, selectModifyand select0as Value data.
To save your changes, selectHexadecimalas your base and clickOK. 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.
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