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How to Keep the OneNote Screen Clipping Tool in the System Tray

Olivia MillerOlivia Miller Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to permanently keep the OneNote Screen Clipping tool icon in the Windows notification area so it doesn't disappear after a system reboot.

How to Keep the OneNote Screen Clipping Tool in the System Tray
Product
Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS
Windows 10
Scenario
Using the system tray icon for quick access to the screen clipping functionality.
Observed behavior
The Screen Clipping tool icon vanishes from the Windows 10 system tray after restarting the computer and only temporarily reappears when the OneNote application is manually launched.
Before you start

Ensure your Windows 10 operating system and Microsoft Office suite are updated to the latest versions, as system tray display bugs are often resolved in routine patches.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify OneNote Display Options

Ensure that the OneNote application itself is configured to display the screen clipping icon in the notification area.

OneNote has a built-in setting that dictates whether its quick access icon sits in the system tray. If this setting is disabled, the icon will not appear even when the app is running.

1
Open OneNote Options

Launch Microsoft OneNote. Click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

2
Navigate to Display Settings

In the Options dialog box, click on 'Display' in the left-hand navigation pane.

3
Enable the Notification Area Icon

Under the Display options, check the box next to 'Place OneNote icon in the notification area of the taskbar' and click 'OK' to save your changes.

Verify OneNote Display Options
Quick Check: Check your system tray immediately after clicking OK. If the icon appears, the application setting was successfully applied.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take a quick screenshot if the OneNote icon is missing?

You can bypass the system tray icon entirely by pressing the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S. On Windows 10, this will launch the Snip & Sketch tool, which effectively replaces the older OneNote screen clipping functionality.

Why did my OneNote screen clipping shortcut stop working?

Windows 10 updates have integrated screen clipping deeply into the operating system via the Snip & Sketch app. This system-level app often overrides OneNote's dedicated shortcut commands, which can make the older OneNote tray icon seem unresponsive or redundant.

Can I pin the screen clipping tool to my Windows taskbar instead of the system tray?

Yes. You can search for 'Snipping Tool' or 'Snip & Sketch' in your Windows Start menu, right-click the application, and select 'Pin to taskbar'. This provides a permanent, easily accessible icon without relying on the OneNote system tray setting.