PC users who have used Windows Vista (the version of Windows which was ahead of its time) know that the Snipping Tool was one of the features introduced with Vista. Snipping Tool, when launched with Vista, was a competent screen capturing tool.
Over the past decade, plenty of third-party alternatives have emerged for the Snipping Tool. Most users who once used Snipping Tool have now switched to free alternatives as the inbox program has not seen any significant updates over the past decade. For instance, we here at IntoWindows loved using the Snipping Tool to take screenshots for every article. However, somewhere in 2014, we switched to the popular Greenshot (free) as it allows adding arrows, count, and shapes to pictures.
About two years ago, Microsoft added another free screen capturing tool by introducing Snip & Sketch. It is a lot better than the original Snipping Tool in many ways but lacks several features that you can easily find in free third-party alternatives.
Because of various reasons, a good number of Windows 10 users are using third-party screen capturing tools. Those using third-party tools might want to uninstall the classic Snipping Tool and the modern Snip & Sketch.
Luckily, Windows 10 now allows uninstalling both Snip & Sketch and Snipping Tool. Both apps have been packaged together, starting with Windows 10 build 21354. So, if you are running 21354 or later, you can uninstall or reinstall both Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch.
Note that both these apps are different, but you cannot uninstall Snipping Tool without leaving behind Snip & Sketch and vice versa.
IMPORTANT: Users must be running build 21354 or later builds to uninstall Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch by following this guide.
Uninstall Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch in Windows 10
This guide will show you how to uninstall or reinstall Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch in Windows 10.
Step 1: Open the Windows 10 Settings. In the Settings app, navigate to Apps > Apps & features page.
Step 2: The Apps & features page lists all inbox apps and apps and programs installed by you. Look for Snip & Sketch and Snipping Tool entry. Note that, as said earlier, both these apps are combined into one.
Step 3: Click on the Snip & Sketch and Snipping Tool entry to reveal the hidden Uninstall button. Click on the Uninstall button, and when you see the small flyout click on the Uninstall button present on the flyout to remove these apps from your Windows 10 computer.
Reinstall Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch in Windows 10
Step 1: Once you uninstall these apps by following the instructions mentioned above, you need to launch the built-in Store app, search with Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch keyword.
Step 2: Click on the Snip & Sketch and Snipping Tool entry in the search result to open the app’s dedicated page.
Step 3: Finally, click on the Get/Install button to install the app. You have now reinstalled Snip & Sketch and Snipping Tool.
Reset or repair Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch
You can use the repair or reset service when one or both apps are not working well.
Step 1: Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features page.
Step 2: Click on the Snip & Sketch and Snipping Tool entry to see the Advanced options link. Click on the link.
Step 3: On the resulting page, scroll down to the Reset section. Click on either Reset or Repair button.
How to reinstall the Photos app in Windows 10 guide might also interest you.
