Windows 10 removes Snipping Tool in future update
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The Snipping Tool is the screen capture utility included with Windows 10. However, the 17661 build preview showed off new screen capture utilities. That preview highlighted the snipping utility might be on its way out. Now Microsoft has confirmed in the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17704 that it will remove the Snipping Tool with a future update.
The latest build preview does still include the Snipping Tool. However, the Snipping Tool in the 17704 build preview includes a small side note. That side note states, “Just a heads up… Snipping Tool will be removed in a future update.” The side note also urges users to try out the Screen Sketch app.
Windows 10 could remove Snipping Tool for good in 2019
That side note confirms Microsoft intends to scrap the Snipping Tool. However, when that will happen is not entirely clear. The side note does not say when the snipping utility will get removed, and a Microsoft blog post states:
When you upgrade to today’s build you’ll see a note about this in the Snipping Tool. Currently, we are not planning to remove the Snipping Tool in the next update to Windows 10 and the consolidation work underway will be a feedback and data-driven decision. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to try out the Screen Sketch app and let us know how it’s working for you.
As such, the Snipping Tool will remain in Windows 10 after the Redstone 5 update. Thus, Microsoft will probably phase out the snipping utility in 2019. Nevertheless, the Screen Sketch app in the current preview builds will probably still be included with the next update.
Screen Sketch was previously a part of Windows Ink. Now Microsoft seemingly sees a separate Screen Sketch app as a replacement for the Snipping Tool. That app includes more options for annotating screenshots than the current snipper utility.
Windows 10 build previews also include a Screen Clip utility from which users can open Screen Sketch. Screen Clip provides a toolbar with a few screen capture options on it and automatically copies captured snapshots to the clipboard. As such, users don’t need to select to save images to hard drive as in the current snipping utility.
If you can’t wait for the new screen-capturing tools in the Redstone 5 update, check out some of the third-party screenshot software. There are plenty of great alternatives to the Snipping Tool that you can already add to Win 10. This software guide provides further details for some of the best Windows 10 screen capture software.
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