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Guide How to Get the Old Snipping Tool Back on Windows 11

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Reverting to the Old Snipping Tool in Windows 11

The Windows Snipping Tool has undergone major changes in Windows 11. Microsoft merged it with the Snip & Sketch app to create an all-new modern Snipping Tool. This redesigned app comes with a fresh look and useful additions like delayed snipping. However, not everyone is happy with the update. Some users report performance issues and miss certain functionalities of the classic Snipping Tool. If you wish to bring back the old Snipping Tool in Windows 11, there are a few simple steps to achieve this.

What’s New in the Windows 11 Snipping Tool

Let’s first understand what has changed in the new Snipping Tool:

  • It has a completely revamped interface with modern aesthetics.
  • The new app combines features from both the old Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch.
  • You can now set a delay of 3, 5 or 10 seconds before capturing a screenshot.
  • It allows you to annotate and share snips directly within the app.
  • The snip is copied to the clipboard instead of opening in a window.

These upgrades aim to provide a richer screenshotting experience for Windows 11 users. But not everyone seems impressed.

Why Some Users Prefer the Old Snipping Tool

According to first-hand accounts on forums like Reddit and Microsoft Answers, some users face issues with the new Snipping Tool in Windows 11:

  • It is slow to launch and capture screenshots.
  • The app often crashes or fails to work.
  • Annotations are hard to use due to lag and unintuitive interface.
  • The lack of a preview window makes it hard to verify snips.
  • It lacks certain functionalities of the old Snipping Tool.

For these reasons, many users pine for the old Snipping Tool that works faster and more reliably. If you wish to go back to the original, lightweight Snipping Tool in Windows 11, there is a simple workaround.

How to Restore the Old Snipping Tool in Windows 11

Follow these steps to get back the old Snipping Tool in Windows 11:

  1. Open Task Manager using Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Go to File >Run new task and type cmd.
  2. In the Command Prompt, type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  3. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced.
  4. Create a new DWORD value named AllowSnippingToolLegacy and set its value to 1.
  5. Close Registry Editor and Command Prompt.
  6. Copy SnippingTool.exe and SnippingTool.exe.mui from C:\Windows\System32 to your desktop.
  7. Rename the copied files to SnippingToolLegacy.exe and SnippingToolLegacy.exe.mui.
  8. Move the renamed files back to C:\Windows\System32.
  9. Search for Snipping Tool Legacy to launch the old snipping tool.

This brings back the original Snipping Tool while keeping the new one intact. The old snipping tool should now work normally, allowing you to capture screenshots just like before. Make sure to follow the steps carefully to avoid issues.

The Key Differences Between the Two Snipping Tools

To summarize, here are some of the major differences between the old and new Snipping Tools in Windows 11:

  • The old Snipping Tool opens captures in a window while the new one copies to the clipboard.
  • The new Snipping Tool offers delays and annotations but lacks robustness.
  • The old Snipping Tool is lighter and more responsive according to user reports.
  • The new app has modern aesthetics while the old one uses the classic Windows look.
  • The new tool combines the functionality of Snip & Sketch and old Snipping Tool.

Depending on your preferences and needs, either tool may be better suited for you. Fortunately, it is possible to use both side-by-side in Windows 11 thanks to this simple trick.

Conclusion

The redesigned Snipping Tool in Windows 11 comes with nifty additions but suffers from performance and reliability complaints. Many cling to the old Snipping Tool that feels faster and more stable. By tweaking the Registry and transferring files, you can restore the classic Snipping Tool in Windows 11. This offers the best of both worlds – new features plus old-school utility. Have you tried reverting to the legacy Snipping Tool? Share your experience in the comments below!

Sources

How to Use Snipping Tool in Windows 11 – https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-use-snipping-tool-in-windows-11/

Where did the old Snipping Tool go in Windows 11? – https://www.elevenforum.com/t/where-did-the-old-snipping-tool-go-in-windows-11.5001/

What’s new in Snipping Tool for Windows 11 – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/what-s-new-in-snipping-tool-for-windows-11-aebf88f0-4479-4d0f-a982-682da18a2962

How to Get the Old Snipping Tool Back in Windows 11 – https://www.hellpc.net/restore-snipping-tool-in-windows-11/

References

  1. https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-restore-old-snipping-tool-in-windows-11
  2. https://windowsreport.com/old-snipping-tool-windows-11/

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