If you’ve ever wondered how to capture and save what’s on your Windows computer screen, you’re in the right place. This tutorial will guide you through the essential steps of taking screenshots on Windows.
By the end, you’ll be able to effortlessly capture and save anything you see on your screen, whether it’s the whole desktop, a specific window, or a custom-selected area. Let’s dive in!
Capture Screenshots on Your PC with Snipping Tool
Taking a screenshot to copy words or images from your computer screen is a breeze. You can use the Snipping Tool to capture, edit, save, and share what you need. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Free-form Snip
Capture anything with a unique shape. Just draw a free-form outline around the object you want.
2. Rectangular Snip
For things in a neat rectangular shape, like a website or an application window, drag your cursor to form a rectangle around it.
3. Window Snip
If you want to capture a specific window, like a dialogue box or an open application, choose the “Window Snip” option.
4. Full-screen Snip
To capture your entire screen, select “Full-screen Snip.”
5. Video Snip
If you want to capture a video clip of a specific area of your screen, choose the “Video Snip” option. It allows you to record a rectangular section of your screen with ease.
Once you’ve captured a snip, it will automatically be copied to the Snipping Tool window. From there, you can make edits, save your snip, and share it with others.
Opening Snipping Tool
To access the Snipping Tool, you have several options:
- Click the “Start” button, type “Snipping Tool” in the search bar, and then select “Snipping Tool” from the results.
- Press “Windows logo key” + “Shift” + “S” to take a static image snip.
- For another static image snip, you can press the “Print Screen” (PrtSc) key.
- If you want to record a video snip, press “Windows logo key” + “Shift” + “R.”
Capturing and sharing what’s on your screen has never been easier with the Snipping Tool. Give it a try to simplify your screenshot needs!
Work with your screenshots
With Snipping Tool open, select one of the following to create and work with your screenshots.
Capture a snip
To use the Snipping Tool, go to Mode. If you have an older version of Windows, click the arrow next to the “New” button.
After that, the screen will turn a little gray when you pick the type of snip you want. After that, pick the part of the screen you want to take from anything that is currently showing on it.
Capture a snip of a menu
- Open the menu you wish to capture.
- Press Ctrl + PrtSc keys. This action grays out the entire screen, including the open menu.
- Select “Mode” or, in older Windows versions, click the arrow next to the “New” button. Choose your preferred snip type and then select the specific screen area you want to capture.
Annotate a snip
Once you’ve taken a screenshot, you can enhance it by using the Pen or Highlighter tools to write or draw on or around it.
If you need to erase any markings, simply select the Eraser tool to remove them.
Capture a video snip
To record a video snip, start by opening Snipping Tool. Then, click on the Record button and choose “New”.
After that, select the screen area you want to capture, click “Start,” and begin recording.
When you’ve finished, click “Stop.” At this stage, you can save the recording as it is or opt to edit it using the Clipchamp video editor.
Save a snip
- Once you’ve taken a snip, click on the “Save Snip” button.
- In the “Save As” dialog, input a suitable file name, choose a location, specify the file type, and then hit “Save.”
Remove the URL
If you’ve captured a snip from a browser window and saved it as an HTML file, you might notice the URL displayed below the snip. To eliminate the URL:
- Within the Snipping Tool, click on the “Options” button.
- In the Snipping Tool Options box, uncheck the “Include URL below snips (HTML only)” option, and then click “OK.”
Share a snip
Once you’ve taken a snip, click on the arrow located next to the “Send Snip” button, and then choose an option from the provided list.
Keyboard shortcuts to use in Snipping Tool
| Press these keys | To do this |
| Alt + M | To select your preferred snipping mode |
| Alt + N | To create a new snip in the same mode as the previous one |
| Shift + Arrow Keys | Arrow Keys: To move the cursor and choose from various snipping types |
| Alt + D | To introduce a delay of 1-5 seconds before capturing |
| Ctrl + C | To copy the snip to your clipboard |
| Ctrl + S | To save the snip |
Enlarge, rotate, or crop your image snip
While your capture is open in Snipping Tool, you can enhance it by selecting “Edit” and then “Edit with Paint.” This will provide you with a range of features for adjusting size, color, adding text, and making various other enhancements.
Print an image snip
In the directory where you’ve stored your snip, simply right-click on the snip file. From the menu options, choose “Print,” and then customize your print preferences to suit how you want to print your image.
Place snipping Tool on the taskbar
Within the taskbar’s search box, type “snipping tool.” This will display the Snipping Tool app and a set of available actions. Choose “Pin to taskbar” to add it to your taskbar for easy access.
Delay your screenshoot
To begin, determine the menu or other components you wish to capture. Then, in Snipping Tool, click on the “Delay” option and select a delay, such as 5 seconds. Press “Mode” to initiate a 5-second countdown. During this interval, open the desired menu or set up your image. As the screen turns gray after 5 seconds, utilize your mouse to encircle the area you intend to capture.
How to Enhance Your Snipping Tool Experience on Windows 11
Snipping Tool, a built-in utility in Windows 11, offers a range of powerful editing features that can elevate your screenshot game. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some easy steps to make the most of Snipping Tool and its new features.
How to Annotate Your Snips
You can take your snips to the next level by adding annotations. Use the pen, highlighter, or eraser tools to draw or write directly on your snips. Customization is a breeze – just click on your preferred tool to change its color and size.
How to Crop, Rotate, or Enlarge a Snip
Trimming unwanted parts, rotating, or zooming in on your snips is straightforward. The crop tool helps you cut out unnecessary portions, the rotate tool lets you adjust orientation, and for zooming, simply use the slider at the bottom right corner of the Snipping Tool window.
How to Extract Text from a Snip
Snipping Tool now boasts a Text Actions feature that simplifies text extraction from screenshots. Select the Text Actions button in the toolbar, highlight the text you need, and copy it with your mouse. Alternatively, click “Copy all text” in the toolbar or use keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl + A and Ctrl + C) for a swift copy-paste.
How to Redact Text from a Snip
Protect sensitive information in your screenshots effortlessly with the Text Actions feature. Click the Text Actions button, then choose what to redact (e.g., email addresses or phone numbers) from the submenu next to “Quick redact.” Clicking “Quick redact” will automatically hide sensitive data. You can also right-click on any text and select “Redact Text” to conceal it, with the option to undo the action later.
How to Save or Share a Snip
Once you’ve perfected your snip, saving or sharing is a breeze. Click the “Save” button in the toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + S) to save your snip as PNG, JPEG, GIF, or HTML files. To share your snips via email or other apps, click the “Share” button in the toolbar.
How to Record Audio with a Video Snip
Snipping Tool has upped its game by allowing you to record audio with your video captures. Click on the microphone icon in the Snipping Tool controls before starting your recording. Adjust audio recording settings by clicking the gear icon next to the microphone. If you have multiple recording devices, select the one you want to use.
Conclusion
With its array of editing tools and newfound capabilities, Snipping Tool is an indispensable asset for capturing and enhancing screenshots on Windows 11. We trust that this guide has empowered you to make the most of Snipping Tool and its latest features. Happy snipping!