Screenshots are an easy and effective way to save the on-screen information. Whether you’re creating a tutorial, or troubleshooting an issue with the help of someone with whom you’ve to share the screenshot to ask what you should do next? Or, simply sharing something interesting with a friend. In Windows 11, there are many easy methods through which we can take screenshots, but the most effective and straightforward way is to capture screenshots using the Snipping Tool.
Moreover, with the help of the Snipping Tool, you can not only capture screenshots but also record your screen with ease. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use the Snipping Tool on Windows 11 to take screenshots, making it simpler than ever to capture and share what’s on your screen. So, without any further delay, let’s dive in.
How to Use Snipping Tool on Windows 11
The Snipping Tool is a built-in app that allows you to take screenshots of specific areas of your screen, including rectangular selections, windows, and full-screen captures. There are two primary methods for capturing screenshots with the Snipping Tool.
The first method involves using keyboard shortcuts to capture screenshots on your Windows PC, while the second method allows you to take screenshots directly using the Snipping Tool app.
Let’s discuss step-by-step guidance for both approaches.
1. Using the Keyboard Shortcut
The Snipping Tool includes several keyboard shortcuts that can make it even faster and easier to take screenshots.
Follow the below steps to take screenshots in Windows 11 using the Snipping Tool keyboard shortcuts:
1. Press the Windows key + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool shortcut popup.
2. Select the kind of screenshot you want to take:
- Rectangular: Allows you to pick a rectangular area of the display to capture.
- Freeform: Select this option to draw a custom, freehand shape around the desired screen area.
- Window: This option captures the entire active window.
- Full screen: This alternative captures the entire screen.
3. Once you’ve chosen a Rectangular, Freeform, or Window Snip, you’ll now need to select the area you want to capture.
4. The Snipping Tool will automatically capture the selected area and copy it to your clipboard, so you can easily share it afterward.
If the keyboard shortcut above does not work for you, you can use the Function key (Fn). If you have a Function key (Fn) on your keyboard, you can also take a screenshot using the Function key (Fn) + Prt Sc or you can use the Fn key + Windows key + Print Screen key to capture a full-screen screenshot.
2. Using the Snipping Tool App
Taking screenshots using the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 provides access to additional advanced and useful features that aren’t available when capturing screenshots through shortcuts. These features are sure to enhance your screenshot experience and leave you impressed.
The snipping tool offers numerous methods for capturing screen images, serving as your comprehensive solution for catching screenshots of your screen. Its interface appears minimalistic, featuring only a handful of buttons and minimal on-screen information. However, don’t be fooled; it blasts a lot of ways to take pictures and record videos, along with other valuable features.
Let’s quickly learn everything about the Snipping Tool without any further delay, and if you want to take screenshots using the Snipping Tool app, follow the below steps.
1. Click on the Start button, type Snipping Tool, and open it.
2. Then, click on the New button.
3. After that, select the region to capture, depending on the selected snipping mode.
4. The screenshot will appear in the Snipping Tool editor, allowing you to save the image or edit and add annotations before sharing it.
How to Change Snipping Mode
The Snipping Tool offers four distinct snipping modes: Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, Full-Screen Snip, and Free-form Snip. These modes are incredibly valuable and enable you to capture screenshots according to your preferences.
Changing the snipping mode is easy to do. You can get it done from the Snipping Tool App only. Follow the below steps to do so.
1. Open the Snipping Tool App.
2. Click the Mode button in the toolbar.
3. Select the snipping mode you want to use, from the drop-down menu.
4. Once you’ve selected your preferred snipping mode, click on New and capture the screenshot.
How to Delay Snip in the Snipping Tool
Capturing the perfect screenshot often requires precision and timing. Whether you’re trying to capture a fleeting moment in a video, an elusive pop-up menu, or simply want to make sure everything in your screenshot is just right, the Snipping Tool’s delay feature can be your invaluable ally.
Delaying a snip allows you to prepare your screen, ensuring that nothing escapes your snapshot. The delay snip feature is as helpful as it is easy to use. You can execute it with a few simple steps.
Follow the below steps to do the same:
1. Open the Snipping Tool.
2. Click the Delay button. (that looks like a clock.)
Note
The Delay button gets disabled in Full-screen mode. Also, don’t work with Video mode.
3. Select the number of seconds you want the Snipping Tool to pause before taking the screenshot. You have the option to select either a 3-second delay, 5-second delay, or 10-second delay; choose one based on your requirements.
4. Click the New button to start the timer.
5. During the countdown, switch to the window or region of the screen you want to capture.
6. Once the timer expires, the Snipping Tool will be ready to capture the screenshot.
7. After that, click on the Save button to save the screenshot on your computer.
How to Annotate and Edit Screenshots using the Snipping Tool
If you’re creating instructional materials, sharing information with colleagues, or simply documenting important moments on your computer screen, knowing how to effectively annotate and edit screenshots can greatly enhance your communication.
Here are the steps:
1. Once you’ve captured the screenshot, the Snipping Tool will open a new window with the screenshot. Or you can open any image with Snipping to edit it.
2. Start by selecting the Image Crop tool; you can use this to adjust the aspect of your screenshot.
3. Adjust the edges to crop and resize your screenshot as needed. You can use the Zoom option located at the top to precisely crop the screenshot.
4. After that, confirm your changes by clicking the Check button.
5. If you want you can add annotation. For that, choose the annotation option, such as the Ballpoint pen and Highlighter, allowing you to enhance the image with annotations.
6. You can also customize the color and stroke size for annotations using the options available for the Ballpoint pen and Highlighter.
7. Use the Ruler and Protractor to draw straight and circular lines, respectively, and the Eraser to remove unwanted strokes.
8. You’ll also find two helpful features, Undo and Redo, conveniently situated alongside the crop option. The Undo option allows users to reverse the last action they performed. Conversely, the Redo option will enable users to reapply actions that were previously undone using the Undo feature.
9. Once you’re finished annotating and editing the screenshot, you can save it to your computer by clicking the Save button on the screen’s top right corner or sharing it with others.
10. If you don’t want to edit and save the screenshot, then you can copy the image to your clipboard by simply clicking the Copy button located in the top right corner.
11. After that, paste the image into your documents when you want to use it.
How to Customize Snipping Tool Settings
The Snipping Tool offers more features than we might expect. It’s easy to use. However, many users might not be aware of the customization options it offers. Here, we’re going to explore how to adjust Snipping Tool settings to suit your preferences, allowing you to capture screenshots more efficiently and effectively.
Whether you want to change the default screenshot format, set up keyboard shortcuts, or fine-tune other aspects of the tool, we’ll walk you through the steps to personalize your Snipping Tool experience.
1. Open the Snipping Tool app.
2. After that, click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Settings from the drop-down menu.
3. The Snipping Tool settings window will open. Here turn ON and OFF the settings according to your needs.
4. In the Shortcuts section, click on Change in Windows settings located to the right of Use the Print Screen key to open the Snipping Tool.
5. Turn on the toggle next to Use the Print Screen key to open Snipping Tool under the On-screen keyboard, access key, and Print screen section. After that, you’ll be able to access your Snipping Tool using the Prt Sc button on your keyboard.
6. You can also change the Snipping Tool app theme. To do that, click on the App Theme option under Appearance and select the theme.
How to Change Snipping Tool Keyboard Shortcut
Taking a screenshot using the shortcut method of the Snipping Tool can be a bit frustrating for some people because it requires pressing three keys.
However, the Snipping Tool offers a feature to customize an additional shortcut, which, when enabled, allows us to access the Snipping Tool by simply pressing the print screen key.
If you want to customize your Snipping Tool shortcut, follow the steps provided below.
1. Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
2. Click on Accessibility in the left sidebar.
3. Scroll down in the right sidebar and click on Keyboard under Interaction.
4. After that, turn on the toggle right to Use the Print screen key to open the Snipping Tool.
5. From now on, you’ll be able to access the Snipping Tool using the Prt Sc button on your keyboard instead of Win + Shift + S.
Conclusion
Whether you need to capture screenshots for tutorials, troubleshooting, or simply share information with others, this built-in tool provides easy and effective methods. You can use keyboard shortcuts for quick captures or explore the Snipping Tool’s advanced features, including screen recording and annotation, to customize and improve your screenshot-taking process.
Additionally, by adjusting settings and customizing shortcuts, you can tailor the Snipping Tool to your specific needs, making it an invaluable asset in your Windows toolkit. However, if there is an issue with the Snipping Tool, you can check out our guide to fix the Snipping Tool not working.
