How to Make Snipping Tool Default to New Snip when Launched

Snipping Tool is a handy screenshot tool included in Windows Vista and higher, with the annotation feature. Running Snipping Tool in Windows Vista and 7 would start the utility in capture mode (New rectangular snip) automatically, but this has changed in Windows 8 and Windows 10.

In Windows 8 and 10, the user needs to click the arrow mark near the New button and then select one of the snip modes. Microsoft made this change after considering users’ feedback.

However, there are some neat workarounds to make Snipping Tool default to “New” rectangular snip or capture mode when started.

Make Snipping Tool Default to New Snip when Launched

You can start Snipping Tool in the New rectangular snip capture mode by default, using one of the following tools or methods. The idea is to automate the keypress event in the Snipping Tool.

Using NirCmd

NirCmd is a multipurpose command-line tool that can automate many complicated tasks in Windows. You can automate keystrokes in any program using NirCmd.

Let’s use NirCmd to send keystrokes Alt + M and then R, which would invoke the Mode → Rectangular Snip option automatically.

For Windows 10 v1809 and higher

In Windows 10 v1809, Microsoft has moved the snip options to the Mode menu from the New button/menu.

This means that you’ll need to send the keystroke Alt + M instead of Alt + N.

1. Download NirCmd from Nirsoft
2. Copy NirCmd.exe to your Windows directory.
3. Copy the following code and paste it into Notepad.
4. Save the file with a .vbs extension, let’s say C:\Windows\sniptool.vbs

   'Starts Snipping Tool in screen capture mode automatically.
   Set WshShell = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
   WshShell.Run "SnippingTool.exe"
   'Wait for 500 milliseconds
   Wscript.Sleep 500
   WshShell.Run "nircmd win activate class Microsoft-Windows-Tablet-SnipperToolbar"
   WshShell.Run "nircmd sendkeypress alt+M r"
   Set WshShell = Nothing

For Windows 10 versions earlier than v1809

In Windows 10 versions earlier than v1809, and Windows 8, use NirCmd to send keystrokes Alt + N and then R, which would automatically invoke the New → Rectangular Snip.

4. Use this script in Windows 10 v1803 and earlier, and Windows 8:

   'Starts Snipping Tool in screen capture mode automatically.
   Set WshShell = CreateObject("Wscript.Shell")
   WshShell.Run "SnippingTool.exe"
   Wscript.Sleep 500
   WshShell.Run "nircmd win activate class Microsoft-Windows-Tablet-SnipperToolbar"
   WshShell.Run "nircmd sendkeypress alt+N r"
   Set WshShell = Nothing

5. You may create a desktop shortcut to the script as below, and Pin the shortcut to your taskbar or Start screen.

   wscript.exe c:\windows\sniptool.vbs

6. Name the shortcut as Snipping Tool, and change the shortcut icon via Properties. Select Windows\System32\SnippingTool.exe and choose the Snipping Tool icon from there.

Clicking this shortcut would now start Snipping Tool in New rectangular snip mode automatically.

Using an AutoHotKey Script

If you’re fond of AutoHotKey scripting and automation tool, you may use the following script to accomplish the same thing. Thanks to mrautomation.com for the script at GitHub.

For Windows 10 v1809 and higher

If WinExist("Snipping Tool")
{
	WinActivate
	WinWaitActive
	Send !m
	Send r
}

else

{
	Run, %windir%\System32\SnippingTool.exe
	WinWait, ahk_class Microsoft-Windows-Tablet-SnipperToolbar
	WinActivate, ahk_class Microsoft-Windows-Tablet-SnipperToolbar
	WinWaitActive, ahk_class Microsoft-Windows-Tablet-SnipperToolbar
	Send !m
	Send r
}
return

For Windows 10 v1803 & earlier, and Windows 8

If WinExist("Snipping Tool")
{
	WinActivate
	WinWaitActive
	Send !n
	Send r
}

else

{
	Run, %windir%\System32\SnippingTool.exe
	WinWait, ahk_class Microsoft-Windows-Tablet-SnipperToolbar
	WinActivate, ahk_class Microsoft-Windows-Tablet-SnipperToolbar
	WinWaitActive, ahk_class Microsoft-Windows-Tablet-SnipperToolbar
	Send !n
	Send r
}
return

Using Win + Shift + S keyboard shortcut

Using the Winkey + Shift + S shortcut (available only in Windows 10) lets you start the Snipping tool in new rectangular snip mode and capture an area of the screen. However, the Snipping Tool interface doesn’t show up on the screen, and the image is only copied to the Windows clipboard.

Use this shortcut key combination if you don’t plan to annotate the captured image using Snipping Tool. For more information on this keyboard shortcut, check out the article Screenshot a Portion of the Screen in Windows 10 [Winkey+Shift+S].

To take screenshots like a pro or want tons of additional screenshot features, take a look at GreenShot or ShareX utilities.