Alex Ruben
How To Restore the Missing Ruler in Snipping Tool on Windows 11
If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and noticed the then-expected ruler feature in the Snipping Tool has vanished, you’re not imagining things. It’s super annoying when features disappear after updates, especially ones that apparently were just there last week. The truth is, Microsoft has been changing things up, and the ruler seems to be on the chopping block. But, if pinning down straight lines or measuring in screenshots is a must, there are ways around it, even if it means a tiny detour or using some third-party tools. This guide is about getting back some of that measurement magic—either through updates, workarounds, or alternative apps—so you can keep your screenshot game on point.
How to Fix or Work Around the Missing Ruler in Windows 11 Snipping Tool
Check for Updated Snipping Tool Version
First things first: might as well make sure you’re running the latest and greatest. Microsoft pushes updates via the Microsoft Store, and sometimes just updating the app restores features or fixes bugs.
- Head over to Microsoft Store.
- Click on Library on the sidebar at the bottom.
- Look for Snipping Tool. If there’s an Update button, click it, and let it install.
Once it’s done, restart the Snipping Tool, make a new snip, and see if the ruler is back. On some setups, it’s weird — the first update might not bring everything, but after a reboot or two, it sometimes appears.
Try Microsoft Whiteboard as a Basic Ruler
Because of course, Windows has to make it hard enough—so if that ruler’s gone for good, alternatives are needed. Microsoft Whiteboard is a free app and kinda handy; it’s got a built-in ruler feature, so if you want to measure or draw straight lines, it’s worth a shot.
- Open Microsoft Whiteboard. If it’s not installed, grab it from the Microsoft Store.
- Insert your screenshot into the Whiteboard (just drag or copy-paste).
- Use the ruler tool (look for the ruler icon at the top) to draw straight lines or measure distances—a decent workaround.
Honestly, it’s kind of awkward, but it works pretty well for quick measurements or annotations. Also, it lets you save your work if you need to, so it’s not just a one-off workaround.
Install PowerToys for a Dedicated Screen Ruler
If you’re used to having a floating ruler always available, PowerToys from Microsoft is the way to go. It’s free, open-source, and includes a handy Screen Ruler feature. Here’s what to do:
- Head to the PowerToys GitHub Releases page, and download the latest installer.
- Run the installer, follow the prompts, and install it.
- After installation, open PowerToys from the system tray or start menu.
- Go into the General tab or the PowerToys Settings and enable the Always on Top feature if you want a floating ruler overlay.
- In the sidebar, turn on PowerToys Run, and then activate the Screen Ruler.
This gives you a floating measurement tool that can be moved around freely. Not easy to compare to a built-in ruler, but it’s close enough for most quick checks.
Draw Straight Lines with the Pen Tool (Without the Ruler)
So you just want to make a clean, straight line after capturing a screenshot, and the ruler’s MIA? Here’s a little-known trick: hold down Shift while dragging the pen (or mouse) with the marking tool activated. It snaps your drawing to a perfect straight line every time.
- Select a pen or pencil tool in the Snipping Tool’s editor.
- Hold Shift then draw from one point to another.
It’s not exactly the same as measuring, but it’s surprisingly effective for quick annotations, especially if you’re in a hurry. On some machines, the snapping might not work perfectly the first time, but with a bit of fiddling, it becomes a handy shortcut.
Send Feedback to Microsoft About the Missing Ruler
If losing the ruler is a real pain, don’t hesitate to tell Microsoft directly. In the Snipping Tool, there’s a Send feedback button—use it to voice your disappointment, request the feature’s return, or just let them know what’s missing. The more users complain, the better the chances of them putting it back in a future build.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If things still feel glitchy, here’s a quick list:
- Make sure Windows itself is fully updated via Settings > Windows Update. Sometimes features are hidden behind those updates.
- If the Snipping Tool is acting up, try resetting it: go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Snipping Tool, click Advanced options, then hit Reset. Might clear out bugs.
- Consider trying other screenshot tools like Greenshot or ShareX if the Snipping Tool has gone too ‘quirky’ for you—because, of course, Windows has to make even simple tasks more difficult sometimes.
Wrap-up
Getting the ruler back isn’t straightforward, thanks to recent updates, but updating the app, trying out Microsoft Whiteboard or installing PowerToys can help salvage that measurement capability. Or, if all else fails, the shortcut with Shift to draw straight lines is kinda handy. Keep in mind, features are always evolving, so giving feedback to Microsoft might help push that ruler back into the mix someday.
Summary
- Checked for app updates in the Microsoft Store.
- Used Microsoft Whiteboard as an alternative ruler.
- Installed PowerToys for a floating screen ruler.
- Learned the Shift trick for straight lines in annotations.
- Provided feedback to Microsoft about missing features.
Final Word
Hopefully, this gives some options rather than flipping out over a missing feature. Sometimes, a quick workaround gets the job done just as well. Fingers crossed this helps someone save a little time and headache.