The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 is a versatile utility for capturing screenshots in various formats. Whether you want to capture a specific window, a rectangular portion of your screen, or even freeform shapes, the Snipping Tool has you covered. This guide will walk you through using this handy tool effectively.
Method 1: Using Keyboard Shortcuts
- Press
Windows + Shift + S
on your keyboard.
- This opens the Snipping Tool overlay, allowing you to select the type of snip you want to make.
Method 2: Through the Start Menu
- Click on the Start Menu and type Snipping Tool in the search bar.
- Click on the Snipping Tool app from the search results to open it.
Types of Snips
The Snipping Tool offers several options for capturing screenshots:
- Rectangular Snip: Drag the cursor around an area to form a rectangle.
- Freeform Snip: Draw freehand shapes around the area you want to capture.
- Window Snip: Click on a window to capture it.
- Full-screen Snip: Capture the entire screen.
Creating a Snip
- Open the Snipping Tool using one of the methods above.
- Choose your desired snip type from the toolbar.
- Select the area you wish to capture.
- The snip is automatically copied to your clipboard, and a notification will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Editing and Saving Snips
- Click on the notification that appears after taking a snip to open the Snipping Tool editor.
- Use the tools provided to annotate, crop, or highlight parts of your snip.
- Click File > Save As to save your snip to your desired location.
Tips for Efficient Snipping
- Use the Keyboard Shortcut:
Windows + Shift + S
is the quickest way to access the snipping overlay.
- Pin to Taskbar: For easy access, right-click the Snipping Tool icon and select Pin to Taskbar.
- Use Delay: If you need to capture dropdown menus or tooltips, use the delay feature to set a timer before the snip starts.