PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe

Application ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called colorpickerui, powertoys color picker, color picker

WindowsApplication

PowerToys Color Picker UI. The default shortcut is Win+Shift+C. It is not ScreenClippingHost.exe (Win+Shift+S).

What you need to know

Color Picker, not ScreenClippingHost.

PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe is Color Picker. Win+Shift+C (default) opens the eyedropper and copies a color. ScreenClippingHost.exe is the Win+Shift+S snip overlay. Ending Color Picker does not cancel a snip.

Safe?: Yes, from Color Picker
Same as snip?: No. ScreenClippingHost is Win+Shift+S
Should I end it?: The eyedropper closes

Feex says

If Win+Shift+C opens an eyedropper, I am in Color Picker. I do not end ScreenClippingHost to close that flyout.

What is PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe?

PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe is Color Picker, not ScreenClippingHost.exe. The snip overlay is a Windows SystemApp. This UI is a PowerToys module.

What does it do?

It samples a pixel color and copies a value. It does not save a PNG snip. ScreenClippingHost.exe and SnippingTool.exe do capture.

Why is it running?

Color Picker is enabled and you pressed its shortcut, or the editor is open. A leftover after you copied a hex is the flyout finishing.

Is it safe?

Usually safe

A Microsoft-signed ColorPickerUI under PowerToys is the picker. ColorPickerUI.exe in Temp is not. This is still not the snip host.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe

Default shortcut: Win+Shift+C
Snip overlay is ScreenClippingHost.exe (Win+Shift+S)
Not SnippingTool.exe

Can I end it?

The eyedropper closes

Ending ColorPickerUI closes the picker. An in-progress Win+Shift+S snip is ScreenClippingHost, not this file.

Can I remove it?

Turn off Color Picker, or uninstall PowerToys

Disable Color Picker in PowerToys Settings. Do not delete ScreenClippingHost.exe to remove this module.

Should it start with Windows?

The runner starts Color Picker when the module is on. Pressing Win+Shift+C shows the UI. It is not the snip Startup path.

Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

CPU: Low except while the magnifier tracks the pointer
Memory: Small
GPU: Overlay
Disk: History in PowerToys settings if you keep colors

File information

PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe file information
Executable name	PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe
Common legitimate path	C:\Program Files\PowerToys\PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe
Publisher	Microsoft Corporation
Signature expectation	Signed by Microsoft Windows

Common problems

Win+Shift+S versus Win+Shift+C

S is snip (ScreenClippingHost). C is Color Picker (this process). Mixing those shortcuts is the usual support call.

People reset Snipping Tool to fix the eyedropper

Wrong app. Color Picker lives in PowerToys. SnippingTool.exe is the editor after a snip.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

PowerToys Settings > Color Picker

Change Win+Shift+C or disable the module. Snipping Tool settings will not move this shortcut.

If you wanted a screenshot

Use Win+Shift+S. That starts ScreenClippingHost.exe. This article is the color eyedropper.

Technical details

PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe technical details
Image name	PowerToys.ColorPickerUI.exe
Role	PowerToys Color Picker
Default shortcut	Win+Shift+C

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

Microsoft Learn: Color Picker · Win+Shift+C eyedropper
Microsoft Support: snip · Win+Shift+S is ScreenClippingHost
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.