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

- 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.
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.
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.
Launch Microsoft OneNote. Click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Options dialog box, click on 'Display' in the left-hand navigation pane.
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.

Unhide the Icon in Windows Taskbar Settings
Windows 10 automatically hides inactive or extra icons to keep the taskbar clean. You need to force the OneNote icon to always show.
Add OneNote to Windows Startup Folder
If the icon continues to disappear after restarting because the OneNote background process stops, adding OneNote to your startup folder will ensure it launches automatically.
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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.




