can't open snipping tool

Julie Carney 0 Reputation points
2026-07-01T12:13:31.37+00:00

I just got a new surface pro 13 in 12th edition. After opening it and getting started, I found that I can't open Snipping Tool or Microsoft Store. Also jpeg and png files won't open.

Surface | Surface Pro | Install and update
0 comments

2 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Clary-N 12,235 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-07-02T00:09:09.2933333+00:00

    Hi Julie Carney,

    Since this is a brand-new Surface Pro and multiple built-in apps appear to be affected, I'd also recommend testing with a new user account to help determine whether the issue is related to the current Windows profile.

    Go to Settings > Accounts > Other users > Add account. Select "I don't have this person's sign-in information", then choose "Add a user without a Microsoft account" and create a temporary test account. After signing in to the new account, check whether Microsoft Store, Snipping Tool and JPG/PNG files open normally.

    Additionally, please let me know whether you set up the device with a Microsoft account or a local account and whether you're seeing any specific error messages when trying to open these apps or files. That information may help narrow down the cause.

    Please keep me updated on know how it goes and I'll be happy to continue troubleshooting if needed.

    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.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

  2. AI answer

    2026-07-01T12:13:51.3333333+00:00

    Snipping Tool, Microsoft Store, and image file opening issues on a new Surface Pro can all be symptoms of Store/app corruption or Store not being available/working. Use these steps in order:

    1. Check and open Microsoft Store
      • Select Start and enter Microsoft Store.
      • If it appears in results, select it to open.
      • If it opens, try searching for Snipping Tool and reinstall/repair it if needed.
      If Microsoft Store is missing from Start search:
      • Make sure the device is signed in with a Microsoft account, not a local account. The Store app may not be available on a local account.
      • If this Surface is managed by work/school, contact the administrator; the Store app might have been turned off.
    2. Reset the Microsoft Store cache
      This can fix Store not opening and app install issues:
      1. Press Windows key + R to open Run.
      2. Type wsreset.exe and select OK.
      3. A blank Command Prompt window opens; after about 10 seconds it closes and Microsoft Store should open automatically.
      4. Once Store opens, search for Snipping Tool and install/repair it.
    3. Repair/Reset Microsoft Store app (if available)
      If Microsoft Store appears but still doesn’t work properly, use app repair/reset (Windows 10/11):
      • Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft Store > Advanced options (from the three dots).
      • Select Repair, test Store. If still failing, select Reset.
    4. Reinstall Snipping Tool directly
      If Snipping Tool still will not open after Store is working, reinstall it using the official installer for your architecture (most Surface Pro devices are 64-bit):
      • Download the appropriate installer:
        • Snipping Tool Windows 64-bit (most common)
        • Snipping Tool Windows 32-bit
        • Snipping Tool Windows ARM64
      • Open the downloaded file and follow the setup workflow until complete.
        After installation, try launching Snipping Tool again.
    5. Fix JPEG/PNG opening issues
      Once Microsoft Store is working, install or repair the default image app (e.g., Photos) from Store. If JPEG/PNG files still won’t open, right‑click an image file, choose Open with > Choose another app, select the desired app (e.g., Photos), and choose Always use this app to open .jpg/.png files.

    If none of these steps work and this is a brand‑new device, contact the seller or support, as there may be a deeper OS or profile issue.

    References:

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

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.