Windows has a number of in-built tools to help you with common day to day tasks. One such tool is the Snip and Sketch tool which can be rather helpful when taking screenshots.
Now the default Windows shortcut for Snip and Sketch is Windows Key + Shift + S, but starting the tool might not be as simple as just hitting the key combination due to occasional bugs and glitches in Windows. In this article, we’re taking look at what you can do when the Windows Shift+S shortcut isn’t working.
Enable Clipboard history
Although not directly related to Snip and Sketch, enabling Clipboard history can get the shortcut running again.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + I to open Windows Settings. Scroll down and select Clipboard under the System tab.
Step 2: Make sure the Clipboard history slider is enabled.
Now restart your PC and try again.
Also read: Snip and Sketch not working: 7 Fixes
Reset the program
Try resetting the Snip and Sketch program to check if it’s working.
Step 1: Press Windows key + X and click on Apps and Features.
Step 2: Find Snip and Sketch in the list and click on Advanced Features.
Step 3: Click on the Reset button to reset the program.
Check if the Windows Shift+S not working issue is resolved and Snip and Sketch is working again.
Reinstall the program
If resetting didn’t help, try removing the program and installing it again to see if that resolves your issue.
Step 1: Press Windows key + X and click on Apps and Features.
Step 2: Find Snip and Sketch in the list and click Uninstall.
Now reinstall the program from the Microsoft Store and check if that resolves your issue.
Run the Windows App troubleshooter
Windows 10 has a bunch of really useful troubleshooters that can fix several issues with your PC. If the problem is with Snip and Sketch itself, this is sure to fix the error.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Troubleshooters. Click the corresponding search result.
Step 2: Click on Additional Troubleshooters.
Step 3: Scroll down and run the Windows Apps Troubleshooter.
Restart and try again. The Windows Shift+S not working issue should be fixed,
Also read: How to fix isdone.dll error?
Use the Print Screen key instead
If the Windows key + Shift + S shortcut isn’t working for you, you can switch to the Print Screen key to see if you have any luck with that.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Toggle keys. Click the corresponding search result.
Step 2: Enable the Use the PrtScn button to open screen snipping slider.
Now Snip and Sketch should launch when you press the Print Screen key instead of the old shortcut.
Change the shortcut using Regedit
Alternatively, you can also change the default shortcut using the Windows Registry Editor.
Step 1: Press Windows key + R to open the Run prompt. Type regedit and hit enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the following directory.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office.0\OneNote\Options\OtherStep 3: Right-click the blank space on the right to create a new 32-bit DWORD.
Step 4: Set the name as ScreenClippingShortcutKey and the value to 5A.
Now you should be able to trigger Snip and Sketch using Windows key + Shift + Z instead.
Restore your system
You can also try to restore your system to a point in time where everything was fine. It’s a bit of an inconvenience, but it’ll fix most if not all issues you’re facing with your PC.
Step 1: Press the Windows key and search for Reset this PC. Launch the Recovery setting from the search results.
Step 2: Click on Open System Restore.
Step 3: Select the recommended restore point and click the Next button to proceed.
Repair your system
If nothing else works, the best way to get rid of the error is by simply reinstalling or repairing your OS.
The Windows Media Creation tool is a great way to install Windows and repair the OS. Using this, you can perform a clean installation or repair your OS without affecting your data.
You can download the Media Creation Tool here
Also read: What is Windows audio device graph isolation? Everything you need to know
