I'm writing a Python script to automate some tasks and need to take screenshots?

gw52brb5 · Post by **gw52brb5** » Sat Jan 10, 2026 2:10 pm

Yeah, I had the same problem. I used subprocess.run to start 'snippingtool.exe' and it launched perfectly for me.

EQPkh9AEU0k · Post by **EQPkh9AEU0k** » Sat Jan 10, 2026 7:59 pm

Agreed, that's the simplest way. Just a heads up, if you need it to capture immediately, you might have to send a keystroke after launching.

8664l · Post by **8664l** » Sun Jan 11, 2026 3:35 am

This. Yeah, and you can use the Print Screen key with `pyautogui` for a quick full-screen grab if that works for your task. Hope that helps.

mKL2uTkP · Post by **mKL2uTkP** » Sun Jan 11, 2026 12:18 pm

Can confirm. Got it, so you specifically want to launch the Snipping Tool itself, not just take a screenshot?

20ojusyulsh · Post by **20ojusyulsh** » Sun Jan 11, 2026 11:37 pm

I had the same problem. I used subprocess.run('snippingtool') and it popped right open for me.

ynz6424 · Post by **ynz6424** » Mon Jan 12, 2026 1:29 am

Just to clarify, are you trying to launch the Snipping Tool itself, or are you looking to trigger the newer Windows + Shift + S shortcut directly?

YOwtOvNRIEmQ · Post by **YOwtOvNRIEmQ** » Mon Jan 12, 2026 2:16 am

Same here. And are you on Windows 10 or 11, as the methods can differ slightly?

BTDPuGnY · Post by **BTDPuGnY** » Mon Jan 12, 2026 6:59 pm

Also, are you looking to capture the whole screen or just a specific area?

32hyzr · Post by **32hyzr** » Mon Jan 12, 2026 9:53 pm

Same here. And do you need the screenshot saved automatically, or just opened in the Snipping Tool for manual editing?

449mwivrm · Post by **449mwivrm** » Tue Jan 13, 2026 12:38 am

+1 Yeah, that's a good point. If you just need to launch it, you can use `subprocess.run(['snippingtool'])`.