Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Bug Breaking Down Snipping Tool

The company says it’s already working on a full fix

Microsoft has finally confirmed a bug in Windows 11 that causes some apps, including the Snipping Tool, to no longer work. Furthermore, Microsoft says, some other apps and OS components could be affected as well.

Users relying on Snipping Tool discovered the problem a few weeks ago when they noticed the app was no longer launching all of a sudden. Microsoft now explains that the whole thing is caused by an expired certificate, while at the same time revealing that Snipping Tool isn’t the only app affected by this problem.

“Starting on November 1, 2021, some users might be unable to open or use certain built-in Windows apps or parts of some built-in apps. This is caused by an issue with a Microsoft digital certificate, which expired October 31, 2021,” Microsoft said.

A full fix is already in the works

In addition to Snipping Tool, Microsoft says other OS components might be impacted as well, including the Getting started experience and Tips, the Input Method Editor user interface, the Accounts page and landing page in the Settings app on Windows 11 in S mode, and the Touch Keyboard, the Voice Typing, and the Emoji panel.

“To mitigate the issue with Snipping Tool, use the Print Screen key on your keyboard and paste the screenshot into your document. You can also paste it into Paint to select and copy the section you want,” the company explains.

Everyone else running Windows 11 and struggling with the rest of the problems should just install update KB5006746, which was released on October 21 specifically with fixes aimed at the glitch.

In the meantime, the Redmond-based software giant says it’s already working on a full fix for all the problems mentioned above, but for the time being, there’s no ETA available as to when this one could be shipped to users.