Windows 11 users get into another issue recently and that is related to launching the Snipping Tool. In this, when you try to start the Snipping Tool, this either fails on Error “This app can’t open”, or the system crashes immediately. You may get an error message as well that reads the following –
"This app can't open - A Problem with Windows is preventing Screen Snipping From the opening. Refreshing your PC might fix it."
If you are also getting this error message while trying to open the Snipping Tool, this must have been because of a recent Windows 11 update. Let’s explore why it occurs and what can you do to fix it on Windows 11 in detail –
Why is my Snipping Tool shortcut not working?
As per various reports, and users commenting on Reddit, Windows Forums, Snipping Tool stops working after you upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10. The users who have fresh installed Windows OS on their devices aren’t getting this issue and the Snipping Tool is working all good.
Comparing both the scenarios, it is quite clear that there must be some internal glitches that activate only during the upgrade and not during the clean install. It could be because of some expired certificate or the app itself become corrupted after you switch to Windows 11. Whatever are the reasons behind it, you may solve this error following the below fixes –
Fix “This app can’t open” Error while opening Snipping Tool
To Fix the Snipping Tool launching issue “This app can’t open”, try out these solutions sequentially –
1] Modify Date & Time
Snipping Tool fails to start when the system reads a date exceeding 31st Oct. As we have already passed that date, you may change the system date back to 31st Oct 2021, and the issue resolves. Here’s how can you do that –
- Press Win + I to launch the Settings app.
- Click Time & language on the left pane and “Date & Time” on the right side.
- Turn off both toggle switches i.e. “Set time automatically” and “Set time zone automatically”.
- Now, that you have disabled the automatic change in Date & Time, locate the setting “Set the date & time manually”, and click the Change button.
- Set the date to 31st Oct or earlier than that.
- Restart your PC next and open Snipping Tool from when the system reloads. This tool should start fine without getting into any issues.
Note: Microsoft is well aware of this issue, and is working on a resolution. The tech giant has even pulled out that buggy patch from Microsoft Store to prevent additional system crashes. Windows 11 users may receive a permanent fix to this in upcoming releases.
2] Manually start Snipping Tool
If you don’t want to change the automatic Date & Time setting on your PC, see if you can manually launch the Snipping Tool or not. To do so, use these steps –
- First of all, press Win + E to open the File Explorer.
- Go to your root drive (usually C:\), and navigate to the path below –
C:\Windows.old\Windows\System32\SnippingTool.exe
- Once you reach out to the above path, double-click on this tool.
- The Snipping tool should run fine.
3] Rollback Latest Cumulative Update
If you are getting this error after installing a security/non-security patch on your device, uninstalling that cumulative update should resolve the Snipping tool “This app can’t open” Error as well. Here’s how can you remove/uninstall recently installed updates on your computer.
4] Try installing Optional updates
Many a time, Microsoft brings optional updates that contain a fix to resolve recent bugs or issues. You should check this out and run them (if you do find any optional updates). To do so, follow the steps underlined below –
- Right-click on the Windows icon or press Win + X to open the Power menu.
- Select Settings and then Windows update.
- Hit the Check for updates button on the right page.
- The system will connect to the Microsoft servers and find if any patch is available for your device or not.
- In case it does find any pending update, download and install that on your computer.
I hope the Snipping Tool “This app can’t open” Error resolves by now. In case it doesn’t, wait for the next Tuesday patch as they are likely to bring a resolution to this via the next Cumulative update.
