ScreenClippingHost.exe

Windows ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called screenclippinghost, screen clip, snip overlay

WindowsSystem Component

Screen clip host. Win+Shift+S starts the snip overlay. SnippingTool.exe is the Snipping Tool app that can open after the clip.

What you need to know

This is the Win+Shift+S overlay, not the full Snipping Tool app.

ScreenClippingHost.exe draws the dimmed snip rectangle. The editor that opens after can be Snipping Tool. Ending the host cancels the snip.

Safe?: Yes. You started a snip
Same as Snipping Tool?: No. That app is SnippingTool.exe
Should I end it?: The overlay closes

Feex says

If the screen is dim and this host is running, I am in the middle of a snip. Ending SnippingTool.exe would be the wrong process if the editor is not open yet.

What is ScreenClippingHost.exe?

ScreenClippingHost.exe is the screen clipping overlay in the Client CBS package.

What does it do?

It captures a region to the clipboard and can hand off to Snipping Tool. It does not record video. That is a different Snipping Tool mode.

Why is it running?

You pressed Win+Shift+S or a Print Screen setting that launches snip. The host should exit after the capture.

Is it safe?

Usually safe

The CBS clipping host is Microsoft. A ScreenClippingHost.exe in a "screenshot pro" zip is not.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_*\ScreenClippingHost.exe

Snip overlay
Editor may be SnippingTool.exe
Clipboard gets the image

Can I end it?

Cancels the snip

Ending ScreenClippingHost.exe closes the dim overlay and cancels that snip. SnippingTool.exe is only involved if the editor already opened.

Can I remove it?

Do not delete the CBS host. Change Print Screen behavior in Settings if you want a different tool.

Should it start with Windows?

The hotkey starts it. Not Startup Apps.

Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

CPU: A short spike while capturing
GPU: Fullscreen dim
Memory: Follows resolution
Disk: None unless you save

File information

ScreenClippingHost.exe file information
Executable name	ScreenClippingHost.exe
Common legitimate path	C:\Windows\SystemApps\MicrosoftWindows.Client.CBS_*\ScreenClippingHost.exe
Publisher	Microsoft Corporation
Signature expectation	Signed by Microsoft Windows

Common problems

Overlay stuck dim

End ScreenClippingHost.exe. That is the overlay, not DWM.

People uninstall Snipping Tool and the hotkey still works

The overlay host can remain. Two pieces.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard > Print Screen

Whether Print Screen opens snip.

Do not replace the host

CBS package.

Technical details

ScreenClippingHost.exe technical details
Image name	ScreenClippingHost.exe
Role	Screen snip overlay

Sources and verification

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

Microsoft Support: snipping · Win+Shift+S
Microsoft Learn: Windows · Primary Windows documentation
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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