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Loganiy's avatar
Loganiy
Iron Contributor
Sep 18, 2026

Question about Windows 10 Snipping Tool Download and Shorctcut

A weird issue. Windows 10 Snipping Tool seems to be missing from my Windows 10 PC, and I'd like to know the correct way to download or restore it. I'd also like to set up a quick way to launch it, l...
Lucaop's avatar
Lucaop
Brass Contributor
Sep 18, 2026

Manual Association is a reliable, completely free method for creating a windows snipping tool shortcut on Windows 10, especially when the Microsoft Store is broken or the app is missing. It bypasses the Store entirely by pointing directly to the system executable.

Step 1: Locate the Executable
The legacy Snipping Tool on Windows 10 lives at C:\Windows\System32\SnippingTool.exe . If the file is missing, you can try running sfc /scannow or DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in Command Prompt to restore system files .

Step 2: Create the Shortcut with a Hotkey

  • Right-click on your Desktop, go to New > Shortcut.
  • In the location field, paste: C:\Windows\System32\SnippingTool.exe .
  • Name the shortcut "Snipping Tool" and click Finish.
  • Right-click the new shortcut, select Properties, and click the Shortcut tab.
  • Click inside the Shortcut key box and press your desired combination (e.g., Ctrl + Alt + S).
  • Click Apply and OK.

 

This method bypasses the Store entirely and binds a global hotkey directly to the system executable.

Why This Fits Your Request

  • Completely Free: Uses only built-in Windows components.
  • No Third-Party Tools: Bypasses the Microsoft Store entirely.
  • Challenging: Requires manual path entry and shortcut configuration.
  • Reliable: Works even when the Store or Snip & Sketch fails.

 

The key limitation is that this binds to the legacy SnippingTool.exe, which may be phased out on newer builds. But for a pure, script-friendly windows snipping tool shortcut, this manual approach is the most direct solution available.