How to Use Snipping Tool in Windows

Edited 3 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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The Snipping Tool is a useful utility included in the Windows operating system that allows users to take screenshots or “snips” of their screen. This tool is especially useful for capturing specific parts of your screen, for documentation purposes, creating tutorials, or when you want to share something specific with someone without showing your entire screen. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Snipping Tool, from accessing it to getting the most out of its features.

Although this guide is long, every section is designed to help you use Windows' Snipping Tool effectively. We'll explore the different types of snips, editing, saving, sharing your captures, and alternatives to the built-in Snipping Tool for more advanced needs. Let's dive deeper into this useful tool and unlock its capabilities.

Accessing the snipping tool

Accessing the Snipping Tool in Windows is quite easy. You can find it here:

1. Start Menu: Click the Windows Start button, which is usually in the lower-left corner of your screen. In the search box, type "snipping tool." From the search results, click the Snipping Tool to open it.
2. Using the Run command: Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Then, type snippingtool and press Enter.
3. From the Accessories folder: You can also find it in the Windows Accessories folder via the Start Menu.

After opening the Snipping Tool, you will see a small window with several options and buttons. Understanding these options will be important for you to create a great screenshot.

Understanding the snipping tool options

The Snipping Tool offers several modes for capturing screenshots:

1. Free-form Snip: This option allows you to draw a free-form shape around the area you want to capture. This mode is perfect for capturing non-rectangular areas.
2. Rectangular Snip: This tool lets you draw a rectangular line around the area you want to capture. This is one of the most commonly used options, as it ensures clean edges.
3. Window Snip: Use this mode to capture a specific window on your screen, such as a browser or dialog box. Simply click on the window you want to snip.
4. Full-screen Snip: As its name suggests, this option captures the entire screen, similar to the old PrtScn button function.

How to take snip

Now that you know the options for the Snipping Tool, let's look at how you can actually take a snip:

1. Open the Snipping Tool.
2. Choose your preferred snip mode by clicking the downward arrow next to the Mode button and selecting an option from the dropdown menu.
3. Click New. The screen will fade out slightly, indicating the tool is ready to capture.
4. If you chose Free-form or Rectangular Snip, use your mouse to drag a line around the content you want to capture. For a window snip, select the window you want to capture by clicking it. For a full-screen snip, proceed as the screen is captured automatically.
5. The captured area will open in a new window of the Snipping Tool, allowing further editing or annotation.

Commenting and editing your snip

Once you've taken a snip, you may want to edit or annotate it. The Snipping Tool provides basic editing functions:

• Pen: The Pen tool allows you to write or draw on your snip. You can choose different colors or customize your pen settings by accessing the Pen options.
• Highlighter: This tool is great for emphasizing or highlighting specific parts of your snip. Simply click and drag over the area you want to highlight.
• Eraser: Undo any unwanted ink changes made with the pen or highlighter.

Although the Snipping Tool doesn’t offer advanced editing features like dedicated photo editing software, these tools are still enough for quick annotations or highlights.

Saving your snip

Saving your snip as an image file allows you to use it in other documents or share it with others:

1. After editing, click the File menu in the Snipping Tool window.
2. Select Save As.
3. Select the desired location on your computer where you want to save the file.
4. Enter a name for your file.
5. Choose a file format: The Snipping Tool lets you save files in formats such as PNG, JPEG, GIF, or HTML.
6. Click Save.

Sharing your snip

The Snipping Tool makes it easy to share your snips via email or other applications:

1. When your snip opens in the Snipping Tool window, click the File menu.
2. Select 'Send Snip', which will open another menu.
3. Choose the option to send the snip via email: as an attachment or inline (if your email client is properly configured).
4. Your default email client will open with the snip attached or embedded, which you can send.

Tips for effective harvesting

Let's take a look at some tips so you can get the most out of your Snipping Tool experience:

• Use a delay: If you need to capture tooltips or popup menus, consider using the Snipping Tool's delay feature. Set the delay, start your snip, and trigger the desired element just before the snip is taken.
• Keyboard shortcuts: Learn keyboard shortcuts, such as pressing Ctrl+C to copy a snip, and pressing Ctrl+V to paste it directly somewhere else.
• Frequent snip locations: If you take screenshots frequently, consider placing a Snipping Tool shortcut on your taskbar for quick access.

Advanced options of the snipping tool

While the Snipping Tool is sufficient for basic needs, more advanced use cases may require additional functionality. Here are some alternatives:

• Snip & Sketch: Available in newer Windows versions, this tool offers more features than the traditional Snipping Tool, including an improved UI and additional editing capabilities.
• Greenshot: A lightweight screenshot software tool optimized for productivity with features like quick upload options and an integrated editor.
• Lightshot: The simple interface and lightweight footprint make this tool excellent for quick, repeatable snips and uploads.
• ShareX: A feature-rich tool that supports extensive screen capture options along with video capture, customizable workflow, and annotative features.

Conclusion

The Snipping Tool is a great utility built into Windows, helping users take quick and easy screenshots. It's perfect for basic snipping tasks, whether you need to capture spontaneous moments on your screen or share detailed information in a more digestible format. Although the Snipping Tool is a robust tool, if your needs grow, consider exploring more advanced screen capture options to increase your productivity. By following this guide, you now have the knowledge to master the Snipping Tool and take full advantage of all of its features.

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