Win + Shift + S Stops working after one use

Question

Win + Shift + S Stops working after one use

Nathan deGruyter 0

I'm a big fan of the snipping tool shortcut for taking screenshots. In Windows 10, I used it frequently; however in Windows 11, I can only use the shortcut once before it stops working.

I've noticed that when I use the shortcut, the snipping tool shows up in Task Manager. By ending the Snipping Tool task, I'm then able to use the shortcut again. It would seem that the shortcut is broken by default while the application itself is open.

Repairing and resetting the software does not resolve the issue.

3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Sumit D - IA 146.9K Independent Advisor

Hi Nathan,

This seems like a one-off case since Microsoft does not document this as a known issue.

"Does the issue persist in a clean boot state?

Type “msconfig” (without quotes) and press Enter.

In the System Configuration window, select the Services tab.

Check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services”. Ensure you do it carefully, and not disable all Microsoft services.

Click on “Disable all”.

Select the Startup tab and click on “Open Task Manager”.

In the Task Manager window, select each startup item and click on “Disable”.

Close Task Manager and click on OK in the System Configuration window.

Restart your computer.

More details: https://aka.ms/wincleanboot

I hope you find this information useful. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Otherwise, please take a moment to accept the answer. Wishing you good luck!

Nathan deGruyter 0 Reputation points

2025-11-01T08:23:07.93+00:00

Hi Sumit, I'd like to point out that this is a known issue, at least according to this unresolved and locked thread https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/answers/questions/4147500/win-shift-s-stops-working-after-one-use

I did some investigating using the method you suggested. I disabled all non-microsoft services, but then slowly re-enabled them one-by-one in order to attempt to find the conflicting software (an OS should be able to run 3rd party software without losing core functionality). I now have everything re-enabled and the issue is no longer present.

This solution feels dubious at best. I don't really feel like we can call it a solution. This computer is fairly fresh (I bought the system about a month ago) and has mostly standard 3rd party software. I feel like standard windows features should be working out of the box, even with 3rd party software in the mix...

This also feels like a band-aid fix where the issue will most certainly resurface.

Answer 2

Sumit D - IA 146.9K Independent Advisor

Thanks, Nathan. This is kind of a very old thread, dating back to 2023. Maybe this was a glitch, and a service stopping and starting using the clean boot fixed it.

If it happens again, I am here to help you.

I hope you find this information useful. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Otherwise, please take a moment to accept the answer. Wishing you good luck!

Nathan deGruyter 0 Reputation points

2025-11-01T08:34:07.4533333+00:00

I'll accept the answer in a week if the problem hasn't resurfaced in that time

Answer 3

Sumit D - IA 146.9K Independent Advisor

Perfect!

If it happens again, I am here for the next steps.

Nathan deGruyter 0 Reputation points

2025-11-04T22:36:44.1133333+00:00

Sadly, the issue appears to have resurfaced today. Was okay for a few days though!

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Win + Shift + S Stops working after one use

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