Snipping Tool Ruler Missing? How to Add It Back

Recent Windows updates removed the ruler from the Snipping tool app. It is not a bug, but an intentional move by Microsoft.

A user got the below response when asking for support and posted it in a Microsoft Answers thread.

However, you can restore the older version and add it back.

How do I get back the missing ruler in Snipping Tool?

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Create a new folder called SnippingTool.
3. Go to the path C:\Windows.old\Windows\System32
4. Copy the SnippingTool.exe file and paste it in the folder you created in step 2.
5. Create another folder inside the parent folder of Snipping Tool and name it en-US (or whatever your default language is).

6. Now, go to C:\Windows.old\Windows\System32\en-US
7. Copy and paste the SnippingTool.exe.mui file into the new en-US subfolder that you created.
8. Exit File Explorer after you are done.

Microsoft has made improvements to Snipping Tool and introduced the Shapes option in the toolbar, but at the same time, they ditched the Ruler tool that helped users to make a straight highlight

When the Snipping Tool was missing for a few users, we provided a few tweaks to get it back but now it’s gone for good and Microsoft didn’t say anything about bringing it back.

The only way to get the Ruler back in Snipping Tool is to get an older version of the app.

If you know of another way to fix the problem, share it with our readers in the comments section.