Welcome to our article on how to use the Windows Snipping Tool! This simple yet powerful tool comes in handy for capturing and saving screenshots on your PC. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just an avid user, the Snipping Tool can help you capture images or text clips that you can’t otherwise save with a mere copy-paste operation.
In this article, we’ll explore a step-by-step guide on how to use the Snipping Tool to capture and annotate screenshots, as well as some tips and tricks to maximize its potential.
Getting Started with the Snipping Tool
Step1: Open the Snipping Tool
To start using the Snipping Tool, you need to open it on your computer. There are several ways to do this, but we recommend the following steps:
Step 1. Click on the Windows button in the bottom-left corner of your screen, or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
Step 2. Type “Snipping Tool” in the search box and hit Enter.
Step 3. Click on the Snipping Tool app that appears in the search results.
Step 2: Choose the Type of Snip You Want
Once you’ve opened the Snipping Tool, you’ll see a small window with several options at the top. Click on the “New” button to select the type of snip you want to take. There are four types of snips you can choose from:
1. Free-form Snip: Draw an irregular shape around an object or area.
2. Rectangular Snip: Draw a rectangular shape around an object or area.
3. Window Snip: Select a window, such as a browser or app window, to capture.
4. Full-screen Snip: Capture the entire screen.
Step 3: Capture Your Snip
Now that you’ve selected the type of snip you want to capture, you can use your mouse to draw the shape or select the window you want to capture. When you’re ready, simply release the mouse button, and your snip will be saved automatically to the Snipping Tool window.
Step 4: Annotate and Save Your Snip
Once you’ve captured your snip, the Snipping Tool window will display a preview. You can use the annotation tools at the top of the window to highlight, crop, or add text to your snip. When you’re done editing, simply click on the “Save” button to save your snip to a file on your computer.
Tips and Tricks for Using the Snipping Tool
Tip 1: Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Open the Snipping Tool
Instead of searching for the Snipping Tool each time you need to use it, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts:
• Windows key + Shift + S: Opens the Snipping Tool in Snip mode.
• Ctrl + Print Screen: Takes a rectangular snip of the screen and saves it to the clipboard.
Tip 2: Customize the Snipping Tool Options
To customize the Snipping Tool options, click on the “Options” button at the bottom of the Snipping Tool window. Here, you can choose to show the ink color picker, prompt to save snips before exiting, and choose the default file type for saving snips.
Tip 3: Use the Snipping Tool to Capture Text Clips
Did you know that you can also use the Snipping Tool to capture text clips from your screen? Simply take a snip of the text you want to capture, and it will be saved to your clipboard as an image. You can then use OCR (Optical Character Recognition) software to convert the image into editable text.
Tip 4: Combine Multiple Snips into One Image
If you need to combine multiple snips into one image, you can use a program like Microsoft Paint to create a new document and paste your snips into it. This way, you can easily create collages or galleries of screenshots.
Tip 5: Use the Snipping Tool to Annotate Images or Documents
In addition to capturing screenshots, you can also use the Snipping Tool to annotate or draw on images or documents. Simply open the file you want to edit, take a snip using the Snipping Tool, and then use the annotation tools to draw or add text.
Tip 6: Save Time with the Delayed Snip Feature
If you need to capture a snip that includes a dropdown menu or other pop-up element, you can use the Delay feature to give yourself time to open it. Just click on the “Delay” dropdown and select the amount of time you need before the snip is taken.
Tip 7: Explore the Different Ink Colors and Styles
To add some variety or personality to your snips, try experimenting with different ink colors and styles. You can choose from a variety of colors and pen styles by clicking on the “Ink Color” dropdown menu in the Snipping Tool window.
Tip 8: Use OneNote to Capture and Annotate Snips
If you have Microsoft OneNote installed on your computer, you can use it to capture and annotate snips directly. Simply open OneNote, click on the “Insert” tab, and then select “Screen Clipping” to capture a snip. You can then use the OneNote annotation tools to edit your snip.
Tip 9: Use the Snipping Tool to Document Bugs or Errors
When you encounter a bug or error on your computer or in an app, you can use the Snipping Tool to capture a screenshot and document the issue. This can be helpful for troubleshooting or reporting the issue to the app or software developers.
Tip 10: Use the Snipping Tool to Create Tutorials or How-To Guides
If you need to create a tutorial or how-to guide, the Snipping Tool can be a helpful tool for capturing screenshots and annotating them with instructions. You can then save the snips to a file or document and share them with others.
We hope this guide has been helpful in teaching you how to use the Windows Snipping Tool. With its many features and capabilities, the Snipping Tool can be a powerful tool for capturing, annotating, and sharing information on your PC.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Windows Snipping Tool
Advantages
1. Simple and easy to use.
2. Can capture screenshots of specific area on the desktop with precision.
3. Provides various screenshot options like free-form snip, rectangular snip, window snip and full-screen snip.
4. Helps in creating professional-looking screenshots.
5. Saves time by eliminating the need to edit screenshots in a separate program.
6. Offers basic editing options like highlighting, cropping, and adding text to the screenshots.
7. Snips can be saved in different formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF.
8. Can be used to take multiple screenshots in one go.
9. Comes pre-installed in Windows operating system, so no need to install a separate application.
10. Provides a quick and easy way to share screenshots with others.
Disadvantages
1. Limited editing options compared to other third-party screen capture software.
2. Cannot capture screenshots of scrolling web pages or windows.
3. Cannot capture videos or record audio.
4. Cannot capture screenshots of certain system elements like the login screen or the Task Manager.
5. Cannot capture screenshots of pop-up windows or menus.
6. Sometimes snips do not capture the desired area due to incorrect selection of options.
7. Cannot customize shortcut keys for snipping tool.
8. No option for automatic or scheduled screenshots.
9. Cannot capture screenshots of a specific window or multiple windows at the same time.
10. Sniping tool can be slow at times if the system has limited memory.
FAQ
1. What is Windows Snipping Tool?
Windows Snipping Tool is a built-in screen capture tool in Windows operating systems that allows users to capture a screenshot of a portion or all of their screen content. It also offers various editing features to customize the captured screenshot.
2. How do I open Windows Snipping Tool?
You can open Windows Snipping Tool by searching for it in the Start menu or by pressing the Windows key + Shift + S on your keyboard.
3. What types of screenshots can Windows Snipping Tool capture?
Windows Snipping Tool can capture four types of screenshots: Free-form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, and Full-screen Snip.
4. How do I capture a Free-form Snip?
To capture a Free-form Snip, click the New button in the Snipping Tool window, then drag your cursor around the area you want to capture.
5. How do I capture a Rectangular Snip?
To capture a Rectangular Snip, click the New button in the Snipping Tool window, then drag your cursor to form a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
6. How do I capture a Window Snip?
To capture a Window Snip, click the New button in the Snipping Tool window, then click on the window you want to capture.
7. How do I capture a Full-screen Snip?
To capture a Full-screen Snip, click the New button in the Snipping Tool window, then select Full-screen Snip from the drop-down menu.
8. What editing features does Windows Snipping Tool offer?
Windows Snipping Tool offers various editing features, including highlighting, adding text, cropping, and more.
9. How do I save my captured screenshot?
After capturing your screenshot, click the Save button in the Snipping Tool window, then select the location where you want to save the file and give it a name.
10. Can I share my captured screenshot directly from Windows Snipping Tool?
Yes, you can share your captured screenshot directly from Windows Snipping Tool by clicking the Share button and selecting the platform you want to share it on.
11. Can I capture a screenshot with a keyboard shortcut?
Yes, you can capture a screenshot with a keyboard shortcut by pressing the Windows key + Print Screen on your keyboard. The screenshot will be saved automatically in the Screenshots folder in your Pictures directory.
12. Can I set Windows Snipping Tool as the default screen capture tool?
Yes, you can set Windows Snipping Tool as the default screen capture tool by going to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard > Print Screen Shortcut and selecting Snipping Tool from the drop-down menu.
13. Is Windows Snipping Tool available on all versions of Windows?
No, Windows Snipping Tool is only available on Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. If you’re using an earlier version of Windows, you may need to use a third-party screen capture tool.
How to Use Windows Snipping Tool
Windows Snipping Tool is a simple and effective tool for taking screenshots on your computer. It is a built-in feature in the Windows operating system and can be found in the Accessories folder in the Start menu. In this article, we will discuss how to use the Windows Snipping Tool.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Windows Snipping Tool is a handy and easy-to-use tool for capturing screenshots on your computer. With just a few clicks, you can capture and save any part of your screen, making it perfect for presentations, tutorials, and documentation. Whether you are a blogger, a teacher, or a professional, the Windows Snipping Tool is a must-have tool for all types of users.
We hope this guide has been helpful in understanding how to use the Windows Snipping Tool. With these simple steps, you can take screenshots like a pro and enhance your productivity. So, go ahead and try it out today!
Thank you for reading and happy snipping!