Snipping Tool has no option for recording the screen.

RY 0 Reputation points
2026-04-08T04:28:41.6+00:00

The shortcut for screen recording, Windows+Shift+R doesn't work, it only lets me screenshot.

When I open the app itself, it only displays four options without any sign of screen recording options.

  1. Rectangle Mode.
  2. Windows Mode
  3. Full Screen Mode
  4. Free-form Mode.

All of which are only in screenshot mode.

The button for the option of creating an image or a video is now gone, only replaced by a button with the label "New" for a image snip it.

I was making many video recordings before, but after an update, it is now unavailable.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

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  1. AI answer

    2026-04-08T04:28:55.8333333+00:00

    Screen recording in Snipping Tool is a Windows 11 feature. After some updates, it can be temporarily missing or the app can revert to an older build that only supports image snips.

    To restore screen recording, use these steps:

    1. Confirm Windows 11 is installed and updated
      • Go to Settings > Windows Update and install all available updates.
      • Screen recording in Snipping Tool was introduced for Windows 11 devices and depends on being on a recent Windows 11 build.
    2. Update or reinstall Snipping Tool from Microsoft Store
      • If Snipping Tool is missing recording options, install or update it from the Microsoft Store (search for “Snipping Tool”). The updated app includes the Record / Video capability.
    3. Check the correct shortcut and UI
      • On Windows 11 with the updated Snipping Tool:
        • Press Windows logo key + Shift + R to open the Snipping Tool overlay for a video clip.
        • Or open Snipping Tool from Start and look for the Video / Record icon next to New. Selecting it should enable Video snip.
    4. If recording is still not available
      • Use one of the alternate built-in tools for screen recording:
        • Xbox Game Bar: Press Windows logo key + G to record the screen (primarily for games/apps).
        • Clipchamp: On Windows 11, search for Clipchamp and use its screen recording feature.

    Once the correct Windows 11 build and updated Snipping Tool are in place, the Video snip option and Windows logo key + Shift + R shortcut should again allow recording a selected area of the screen.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  2. GsN5034 - IA 77,990 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-04-08T05:14:29.39+00:00

    Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

    May I please know which version of the Snipping Tool app is installed on your device?

    Screenshot 2026-04-08 103956

    (Go to Settings on the Snipping Tool app > See which version is currently installed).

    If you have version 11.2601.20 (latest version) installed, you should see the option to record video, as shown in the image below.

    Screenshot 2026-04-08 104207

    ==================================================================

    If this option is missing, just uninstall and reinstall Snipping Tool on your device.

    Search for Snipping Tool in the search bar on the taskbar, right-click the results, and click Uninstall.

    Once uninstalled, search for the Snipping Tool in the Microsoft Store to reinstall it.

    Let me know if you still need more help.

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  3. Anonymous
    2026-04-09T04:18:54.1933333+00:00

    Hi RY,

    I understand how frustrating it is when a feature you were actively using suddenly disappears after an update. Have you already tried the Q&A Assist suggestions? In addition, please try the following.

    Step 1: Repair Snipping Tool

    1. Open “Settings” > “Apps” > “Installed apps”
    2. Find “Snipping Tool” > select “Advanced options”
    3. Click “Repair” (do not reset yet)
    4. Restart Windows and reopen Snipping Tool

    Step 2: Force the Microsoft Store version refresh

    1. Open Microsoft Store
    2. Go to “Library” > “Get updates”
    3. Make sure Snipping Tool updates successfully (no pending or failed state)

    Step 3: Quick verification

    When working correctly:

    • You should see a video/record icon next to “New”
    • Win + Shift + R opens the video snip overlay, not screenshot mode

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".    

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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