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Windows 11 - Snipping Tool after capture opens Windows Explorer

Joanne 0 Reputation points
2025-12-04T23:06:13.1066667+00:00

Hello everyone,

I have been facing issues with Windows 11 Snipping Tool all day today. After completing a capture with the Snipping Tool, Windows then opens Explorer without consent, and of course, without my permission.

It all started after conducting an examination through an exam browser, which "takes over" Start menu and locks Win key.

What I have tried:

  • scanned for viruses twice, no particular issues
  • reset Windows Explorer process
  • created a Registry key in
  • turned off auto-save in Snipping Tool and back on
  • disabled “Show Recently Used Files / Folders”on Windows Explorer
  • used sfc /scannow & DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  • created a DWORD 32-bit value in registry, titled under NoNewFilesExplorerPopup of binary values (0-1) in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced in Registry

My laptop boots up normally, no viruses, no conflicts.

Is there any way I could make it go away forever and have Snipping Tool work as previously?

Any help, workaround or solution is welcome!

Thank you in advance!

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Apps
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  1. Emma1-N 1,135 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-12-05T04:41:46.8966667+00:00

    Welcome Joanne,

    Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A forum. I am sorry to hear about your issue where Windows 11 Snipping Tool opens File Explorer (often "My PC") after each capture.

    You can try the following steps to troubleshoot the issue:

    Option 1: Reset Snipping Tool

    • Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > find Snipping Tool > click the three dots and choose Advanced options > scroll down and select Reset.

    Option 2: Change the Accessibility Setting

    • Go to Settings > Accessibility > scroll down and find Keyboard > turn off “Use the Print Screen button to open screen snipping.”
    • Note: This step cuts the link between Snipping Tool and the Print Screen key, which may have been affected by exam software or keyboard drivers, causing File Explorer to open automatically.

    Option 3: Uninstall and reinstall Snipping Tool

    • Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > find Snipping Tool > click the three dots and choose Advanced options > Uninstall.

    Option 4: Turn off the auto-save feature in Snipping Tool

    • Open Snipping Tool > click the three dots > find “Automatically save screenshots” or “Auto save original screenshots” and turn it off.

    I really hope the information I provided above was helpful to you. Please feel free to reply below and let me know if you have any further concerns on this matter.

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