Clipping Screen on Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide with Useful Tips and Tricks
Have you ever needed to capture a screenshot on your Windows computer but didn’t know how to do it? Whether it’s for work, school, or personal use, taking screenshots is a common task that can come in handy in a variety of situations. Luckily, Windows provides a built-in screen clipping tool that makes capturing images of your screen a breeze.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps of how to clip your screen on Windows, along with some useful tips and tricks to help you take your screenshot game to the next level. So, whether you’re a novice or an experienced Windows user, let’s dive in and explore the world of screen clipping.
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Determine which screen you want to capture: Before you start, decide which screen or window you want to capture. Make sure it’s open and visible on your screen.
2. Open the Snipping Tool: To launch the snipping tool, type “snipping tool” in the search bar on the taskbar. Once it appears, click on it to open the tool.
3. Choose your snip type: With the snipping tool open, click on the “New” button to choose your snip type. You can select from four different types; Free-form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, or Full-screen Snip.
4. Free-form Snip: This is the most versatile snip type, as it allows you to take a snip in any shape or size you want.
5. Rectangular Snip: This snip type lets you take a rectangular snip of any screen or window.
6. Window Snip: This snip type allows you to select a specific window to capture.
7. Full-screen Snip: This snip type captures the entire screen.
8. Snip your screen: Once you’ve selected your snip type, drag your cursor to capture the area you want to snip. You’ll hear a camera shutter sound when the snip is taken.
9. Save your snip: After snipping your screen, you can save your screenshot by clicking on the “Save” button. Give it a name and choose a folder to save it in.
10. Copy your snip: If you want to copy the snip to your clipboard, click on the “Copy” button instead of “Save”. You can then paste the snip wherever you want.
11. Annotate your snip: If you want to annotate your snip before saving or copying it, click on the “Pen” or “Highlighter” button to draw or highlight on your snip.
12. Share your snip: If you want to share your snip with someone else, click on the “Share” button to send it via email, social media, or other options.
Tips and Tricks:
1. Use keyboard shortcuts: You can use keyboard shortcuts to launch the snipping tool and take snips. Press the Windows key + Shift + S to launch the tool, and then use the arrow keys to choose your snip type.
2. Use the PrintScreen key: You can also use the PrintScreen key on your keyboard to take a screenshot of your entire screen. Pressing the Alt key + PrintScreen will capture the active window only.
3. Customize your snipping tool: You can customize the snipping tool by clicking on “Options” and selecting your preferences for the snipping behavior, ink color, and more.
4. Use the Delay feature: The snipping tool also has a Delay feature that allows you to snip dropdown menus or other time-sensitive content. You can choose a delay time of up to 5 seconds.
5. Edit your snip with Paint: After saving your snip, you can edit it further with Microsoft Paint, by opening the image in Paint and using its editing tools.
6. Use Snip & Sketch app: The Snip & Sketch app is the successor to the snipping tool that is pre-installed on Windows 10. It provides more advanced features and options, including a timer and a ruler.
7. Use third-party tools: If you want even more options and customization, there are a variety of third-party screen clipping tools available online.
8. Practice shortcut combinations: By practicing shortcut combinations, you can become more efficient at taking snips and save time in the long run.
9. Use the Magnifier tool: If you need to highlight specific areas of your snip, you can use the Magnifier tool to zoom in and draw attention to those areas.
10. Use the Taskbar: You can also pin the snipping tool or Snip & Sketch app to the taskbar for easy access.
In conclusion, capturing screenshots is an essential skill for any Windows user. With the built-in screen clipping tools and our step-by-step guide, you can easily take and edit screenshots for any purpose. And with our helpful tips and tricks, you can take your skills to the next level and become a screen clipping pro.
How to Clip Screen on Windows: Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
1. Easy to use: Windows have a built-in interface for screen clipping and it is straightforward to navigate, even for beginners.
2. Time-saving: Clipping the screen allows you to capture and save important information quickly without having to take multiple screenshots.
3. Versatile: Windows screen clipping allows you to capture both still images and videos. It provides flexibility when trying to record certain actions on your screen.
4. Accessibility: Screen clipping is available on all Windows devices, making it a universal tool for capturing content.
5. Improved Communication: With screen clipping, you can easily create content for presentations, reports, and instructions, making communication with colleagues, clients, or customers more effective.
6. Free of Charge: Screen clipping is a free feature on Windows, which means there is no need to purchase external software or plugins.
7. Online Support: There are many online tutorials and support articles available to help users understand how to use the screen clipping features.
8. Better Productivity: With screen clipping, you can focus on specific parts of a document, image, or page, making it easier to multitask and increase your productivity.
9. Multiple Formats: You can save your screen clipping in multiple file formats including PNG, JPEG, and GIF to suit your preference or project requirements.
10. Environmentally Friendly: Screen clipping reduces the need for printing hard copies, promoting an environmentally friendly approach to documentation.
Disadvantages
1. Limited Interface: Windows screen clipping options are limited to basic functions and users cannot access advanced editing features.
2. File Size: Screen clipping produces large file sizes which can take up a lot of memory, especially when making videos.
3. Inaccurate Capture: Screen clipping can capture unintended areas due to accidental clicks or movements, leading to inaccurate data.
4. Quality Issues: Screen clipping can result in low quality images or videos depending on the resolution of the original content and screen setting.
5. Impractical for Certain Content: Screen clipping may not be suitable for capturing or recording content that requires high precision or detailing.
6. May Cause Distractions: Frequent use of screen clipping can disrupt workflow and create distractions for both individuals and teams.
7. Not Secure: Information captured through screen clipping is not always secure, and sensitive data can be easily shared or leaked unintentionally.
8. Limited Compatibility: Screen clipping may not work on all Windows versions and can have limited compatibility with other operating systems.
9. Lack of Customization: Users cannot customize the clipping interface or tools to suit their preferences or needs.
10. Poor Support: Customer support for screen clipping issues is limited, and finding solutions to problems can be challenging.
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of screen clipping?
Screen clipping is a feature which allows you to capture a portion of your screen and save it as an image. It is useful in various scenarios such as taking screenshots for presentations or simply saving an image as proof of something.
2. How do I access screen clipping?
You can access screen clipping by pressing the Windows key + Shift + S. This will bring up the snipping bar which allows you to select the portion of your screen you want to capture.
3. Can I customize the keyboard shortcut for screen clipping?
Yes, you can customize the keyboard shortcut for screen clipping. Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and select “Print Screen shortcut”. From there, you can choose the keyboard shortcut you prefer.
4. How do I save a screen clipping?
After selecting and cropping your screen clipping, simply press the “Copy” button. You can then paste the image into a document or image editor and save it from there.
5. Can I annotate my screen clipping?
Yes, you can annotate your screen clipping using the built-in Snip & Sketch app. Open the app and select “New” to create a new screenshot. From there, you can use the toolbar to add annotations such as arrows or text.
6. Where are my screen clippings saved?
Your screen clippings are saved to the clipboard. You can paste them into a document or image editor and save them from there. Alternatively, you can use the Snip & Sketch app to save the image directly.
7. Can I use screen clipping with multiple monitors?
Yes, you can use screen clipping with multiple monitors. Simply press the Windows key + Shift + S and select the screen you want to capture.
8. Is screen clipping available on all versions of Windows?
Screen clipping is available on Windows 10 only. If you are using an earlier version of Windows, you can use the Snipping Tool app to capture screenshots.
9. Can I use screen clipping in fullscreen mode?
Yes, you can use screen clipping in fullscreen mode. Simply press the Windows key + Shift + S and select the portion of your screen you want to capture.
10. Are there any keyboard shortcuts I should know for screen clipping?
Aside from the Windows key + Shift + S shortcut, you can use the Print Screen button to capture a screenshot of your entire screen, or the Alt + Print Screen buttons to capture a screenshot of the active window.
11. How do I undo a screen clipping?
If you make a mistake while selecting your screen clipping, you can press the Esc key to cancel the selection and start over.
12. Can I use screen clipping to capture videos?
No, screen clipping is only able to capture static images. If you need to capture a video, you can use a third-party screen recording software.
13. How do I disable screen clipping?
If you don’t find screen clipping useful, you can disable it by going to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard and toggling off “Print Screen shortcut”.
How to Clip Screen on Windows
If you are someone who frequently uses Windows, you might find yourself needing a quick and easy way to clip parts of your screen. Whether it is for work purposes, for a presentation or to simply capture a moment, being able to clip your screen can be a useful tool. In this article, we will go through the steps on how to clip screen on Windows.
Conclusion and Closing
In conclusion, clipping your screen on Windows can be done quickly and easily using the Snipping Tool or the Snip & Sketch app. Whether you are trying to capture an important image or simply want to save a moment, screen clipping can be a useful tool to have in your toolbelt. Remember, the key to successful screen clipping is to find the right app that suits your needs and to practice often.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article on how to clip screen on Windows. We hope that you found it informative and helpful. Now that you have learned how to clip your screen, start exploring the ways in which you can use it to make your work more efficient and your life more memorable. Until next time, happy clipping!