Windows not finding files even though I just clicked on it.

Question

Just took a screenshot with Snipping Tool. Windows (24H2) saved it to it's default directory . . . /Pictures/Screenshots. Went there, clicked on the screenshot and tried to open it with Snipping tool. Got:

Have had this before. Ran SFC and DISM (since that seems to fix everything) and it want away. Today, that didn't work.

How can I troubleshoot this problem?

Answer 1

Did all that. Pretty sure the problem is Snipping Tool. Other apps, at least Digital Image Pro, readily open the file. We'll see how it goes after doing all you said.

Answer 2

If you need to access the screenshot urgently, try opening it with Photos, Paint, or another image viewer until Snipping Tool is working again.It sounds like you're encountering a recurring issue where Windows can't locate a screenshot file even though you just clicked on it. Since you're using Windows 11 24H2 and the screenshot was saved to the default directory (Pictures/Screenshots), here are several steps you can take to troubleshoot this behavior:

Repair or Reset the Snipping Tool App

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps

Search for Snipping Tool

Click the three-dot menu next to it and select Advanced options

First try Repair. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, click Reset

This can fix corrupted app data without affecting your saved screenshots.

Clear the Snipping Tool Cache

Press Win + R, type %localappdata%\Packages, and press Enter

Locate the folder named Microsoft.ScreenSketch_8wekyb3d8bbwe

Delete the LocalCache folder inside it

This removes any cached data that might be interfering with file access.

Check File Associations

Right-click the screenshot file

Select Open with > Choose another app

Pick Snipping Tool, check Always use this app to open .png files, and click OK

This ensures Windows uses Snipping Tool correctly for image files.

Reinstall Snipping Tool via PowerShell

If the app is missing or not functioning properly, you can reinstall it:

powershell

Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.ScreenSketch* | Remove-AppxPackage
Get-AppxPackage -allusers *Microsoft.ScreenSketch* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Run this in PowerShell as Administrator.

Check for Windows Updates

Go to Settings > Windows Update

Install any pending updates

Some Snipping Tool issues are tied to bugs that are resolved in newer builds.

Use an Alternative Viewer Temporarily

If you need to access the screenshot urgently, try opening it with Photos, Paint, or another image viewer until Snipping Tool is working again.

Let me know what happens.

Best,

Rez