How to Enable Multiple Windows in Snipping Tool on Windows 11
Snipping Tool in Windows 11 version 11.2309.20.0 or later can open every new screenshot in its own separate window instead of stacking them inside tabs. Older versions force all of your captures into one cluttered window. You can change this in the app settings, and it works the same on Home and Pro.
Turn on the option to open each screenshot in a new window. You can then compare several images side by side without losing your place. The setting is called Multiple windows, and it is a single on/off switch.
Open Snipping Tool, click the three dots menu, select Settings, and toggle “Multiple windows” to On. This allows each new screenshot to open in its own independent window for easier management.
Why use Snipping Tool multiple windows?
With several Snipping Tool windows open, you can see and manage more than one snip at once. You can keep a “before” and “after” capture next to each other, copy from one while you mark up another, or leave a reference image on screen while you capture the next one. That saves a lot of clicking between tabs.
What happens when done?
When this setting is on, every new screenshot opens in its own standalone window. Each window has its own markup tools and its own Save and Copy buttons, so editing one snip does not affect another.
How to enable or disable multiple windows
With the setting off, a new screenshot replaces the image in your current window. To change this, open Snipping Tool, click the three dots menu in the top right corner, choose Settings, and turn the Multiple windows switch on or off, depending on how you want to work. The steps below walk through it.
- Open the Start menu and search for Snipping Tool.
- Click on the app to launch it.
- Click the three horizontal dots (the menu icon) in the top right corner.
- Select Settings from the list.
- Look for the Multiple windows option.
- Toggle the switch to On to allow separate windows, or Off to keep them in one.
Your change takes effect the moment you flip the switch. You do not need to restart the app or sign out. Close the menu and keep taking screenshots, and the next snip will follow the new behavior. To go back to the old behavior, open the same Settings page and switch Multiple windows off again.
You need a recent version of Snipping Tool to get this option. The first part of this guide gives version 11.2309.20.0 as the point where it is available. Some sources quote an earlier build, 11.2305.30.0, so the safest approach is to update to the latest version from the Microsoft Store (the official marketplace for Windows applications). Updates there are free and do not need a restart.
Troubleshooting and Error Handling
If you can't find the Multiple windows option in Snipping Tool, your app is probably out of date. Open the Microsoft Store, go to Library, and check for updates. Install the Snipping Tool update, then reopen the app and look in Settings again.
Technical Considerations
Running Snipping Tool with several windows open uses more memory, because each window holds its own image. On a modern PC you will rarely notice it. If your machine is short on RAM, close the windows you have finished with, or turn the setting off.
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Summary
With an independent window for every capture, managing screenshots takes fewer clicks and causes fewer headaches.
Does this setting affect the Snipping Tool shortcut (Win + Shift + S)?
No, the shortcut remains the same. The shortcut still triggers the capture overlay. With multiple windows enabled, the new capture opens in a new, separate window instead of replacing the previous one in the existing instance.
Can I open more than two windows simultaneously?
Yes, you can open as many windows as you need. Each time you take a new screenshot while the setting is active, a new instance of the Snipping Tool launches. This works well for complex screenshot workflows where you need to reference many images simultaneously.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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