Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots (2025)

Applies ToWindows 11 Windows 10

Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots (1)

Take a snapshot to copy words or images from all or part of your PC screen. Use Snipping Tool to make changes or notes, then save, and share.

Capture any of the following types of snips:

Freeform

Draw a freeform shape around an object.

Rectangle

Drag the cursor around an object to form a rectangle.

Window

Select a window, such as a dialog box, that you want to capture.

Full screen

Capture the entire screen.

Video snip

Capture a video clip of a rectangular selection of any part of the screen you like.

When you capture a snip, it's automatically copied to the Snipping Tool window where you make changes, save, and share.

Open Snipping Tool

Select the Start button,entersnipping tool, then select Snipping Tool from the results. You can use these shortcuts for getting things done with Snipping Tool faster:

  • PressWindows logo key +Shift+Sto openthe snipping tool overlay to capture an image snapshot.

  • PressWindows logo key +Shift+ R to open the snipping tool overlay to capture a video clip.

  • Press Print Screen (PrtSc)for a static image snapshot of your entire screen and place it in your clipboard.

Work with your screenshots

With Snipping Tool open, selectone of the following to create and work with your screenshots.

In Snipping Tool, select SnippingMode.and choose the kind of snip you want and select New.

  • Rectangle: Allows you to select a rectangular area to capture.

  • Window: Allows you to select a window that you want to capture.

  • Full screen: Immediately captures a snapshot of the entire screen.

  • Freeform: Allows you to draw a freeform shape to select the area you want to capture.

Depending on the option you select, you would see the entire screen change slightly to gray indicating you're ready to capture a snip.

Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots (2)

After you capture an image snip, you can:

  • Write or draw on or around it by selecting thePenorHighlighterbuttons.

  • Add shapes or emojis to the snip by selecting the Shapes button.

  • SelectEraserto remove the lines or shapes you've added.

  • Crop the image by selecting the Image crop button.

  • Select Text actions button to extract and copy desired text from the snip.

  • Select Undo or Redo to undo or redo your annotations.

Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots (3)

To capture a video snip, open Snipping Tool,select the Record button, then select New, or pressWindows logo key+Shift+ R. Select the area of the screen you wish to record, then select Start. When you are done, select Stop. At this point you can save the recording as-is or select Edit in Clipchamp to work with it in the Clipchamp video editor.

When you finish recording a video snip, select the Edit in Clipchamp button to add CaptionsorAudio.

Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots (4)

Generate and add captions

  1. Navigate to theCaptionstab and select theTranscribe media button.

  2. Choose your language and filter options from the pop-up.

  3. Navigate and select Transcribe mediato generate captions.

Add and detach audio from the video snip

  1. Select theAudio tab from the sidebar.

  2. Adjust the volume within a range of 0 to 200%.

  3. To download the audio separately, select theDetach audio button.

  4. To access the downloaded audio file, press theWindows logo key + Rand type "downloads" in the dialogbox.

For more information, refer to Add captions and audio description to a Snip video.

Notes:

  • To add an auto caption to the video snippet, refer to How to use autocaptions in Clipchamp.

  • To use the text to speech feature, referHow to use the text to speech feature.

After you capture a snip, it is automatically saved to your Screenshots folder. To change the automatic save behavior or the default Screenshots folder, select SeeMore then select Settings.

You can also save an additional copy of the captured snip by selecting theSave as button, then select the location and filename and Save the file.

After you capture a snip, select the SeeMoremenu on top right, and then select Share.

Once you've captured a snip, select the Text actions button to activate the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) feature. This allows you to extract text directly from your image. From here, you have the option to either select and copy specific text or use the tools to Copy all text or toQuick redact any email addresses or phone numbers in the snip. All text recognition processes are performed locally on your device.

Press these keys

To do this

Alt + M

Choose a snipping mode.

Alt + N

Create a new snip in the same mode as the last one.

Shift + arrow keys

Move the cursor to select from different types of snips.

Alt + D

Delay capture by 1-5 seconds

Ctrl + C

Copy the snip to clipboard

Ctrl + S

Save the snip

With your capture open in Snipping Tool, selectEdit>Edit with Paintto use features for sizing, color, text, and many other enhancements.

In the folder where you’ve saved your snip, right click on the snip. SelectPrintfrom the options and make choices for how you want to print your image.

In the search box on the taskbar, typesnipping tool. You’ll see the Snipping Tool app and a list of actions you can take. SelectPin to taskbar.

First, identify the menu or other components you want to capture. In Snipping Tool, select Delay and then select, for example, 5 seconds. Select the desired SnippingMode, then select New to start the 5-second countdown. Within 5 seconds, open a menu or otherwise compose your image. At 5 seconds, when you see the screen turngray, use the mouse to draw around the area you want.

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