How Do I Use The Snipping Tool

So, you’ve been hearing about this thing called the Snipping Tool and you’re curious to know how it works? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll walk you through the simple steps of using the Snipping Tool and all the amazing things you can do with it. Whether you want to capture screenshots, highlight specific portions of an image, or even annotate your captures, the Snipping Tool has got you covered. Get ready to become a snipping expert and let’s dive right in!

Overview

What is the Snipping Tool?

The Snipping Tool is a built-in screenshot capture tool available on Windows operating systems. It allows you to capture specific areas of your screen and save them as images. Whether you want to share something interesting you found online, capture an error message, or simply save a memorable moment, the Snipping Tool is a convenient and easy-to-use tool.

Why use the Snipping Tool?

The Snipping Tool offers various benefits that make it a valuable tool for capturing screenshots. With its user-friendly interface and versatile modes, it allows you to capture full screens, specific windows, or custom areas of your screen. The built-in editing features, such as the pen, highlighter, and text adding options, help you enhance and annotate your screenshots. Additionally, the Snipping Tool provides various options for saving and sharing your snips, making it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use.

Accessing the Snipping Tool

Windows 10

To access the Snipping Tool on Windows 10, you can simply type “Snipping Tool” in the search bar located in the taskbar. Once it appears in the search results, click on it to open the tool.

Windows 8 and 8.1

For Windows 8 and 8.1 users, accessing the Snipping Tool is just as easy. Start by going to the Start screen and typing “Snipping Tool.” Once it appears in the search results, click on it to launch the tool.

Windows 7

For Windows 7 users, you can access the Snipping Tool by clicking on the Start button, going to All Programs, then Accessories, and finally selecting Snipping Tool from the list.

Snipping Tool Modes

Full-Screen Snip

The Full-Screen Snip mode allows you to capture the entire contents visible on your screen. When using this mode, the Snipping Tool will automatically capture the whole screen as soon as you click on the New button. This is useful when you want to capture everything you see, including multiple windows or a full webpage.

Window Snip

The Window Snip mode allows you to capture a specific window or dialog box on your screen. After clicking on the New button, simply click on the window you want to capture, and the Snipping Tool will capture only that window, excluding everything else.

Rectangular Snip

The Rectangular Snip mode allows you to capture a specific rectangular area on your screen. After clicking on the New button, click and drag the cursor to create a rectangle around the area you want to capture. This mode is handy when you need to capture a specific part of a webpage, an image, or any other content on your screen.

Freeform Snip

The Freeform Snip mode offers the most flexibility in capturing screenshots. After clicking on the New button, you can freely draw a shape around the area you want to capture. This mode is useful when you want to capture irregular shapes or specific sections of a larger image or document.

Capturing Screenshots

Using Full-Screen Snip

To capture a screenshot in Full-Screen Snip mode, follow these steps:

1. Open the Snipping Tool using the method appropriate for your Windows version.
2. Click on the New button.
3. The screen will freeze, and the entire screen will be captured.
4. You can then annotate or save the snip using the editing features or directly save it as an image file.

Using Window Snip

To capture a screenshot of a specific window or dialog box using the Window Snip mode, follow these steps:

1. Open the Snipping Tool using the method appropriate for your Windows version.
2. Click on the New button.
3. The screen will freeze, and the cursor will turn into a crosshair.
4. Click on the window or dialog box you want to capture.
5. The Snipping Tool will capture only the selected window, and you can then edit or save it as needed.

Using Rectangular Snip

To capture a rectangular area using the Rectangular Snip mode, follow these steps:

1. Open the Snipping Tool using the method appropriate for your Windows version.
2. Click on the New button.
3. The screen will freeze, and the cursor will turn into a crosshair.
4. Click and drag the cursor to create a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
5. Release the mouse button, and the selected area will be captured.
6. Use the editing features to enhance or save the snip according to your needs.

Using Freeform Snip

To capture a custom or irregular shape using the Freeform Snip mode, follow these steps:

1. Open the Snipping Tool using the method appropriate for your Windows version.
2. Click on the New button.
3. The screen will freeze, and the cursor will turn into a pen.
4. Use the pen to freely draw a shape around the area you want to capture.
5. Release the mouse button, and the selected irregular shape will be captured.
6. Annotate, save, or edit the snip as desired.

Snipping Tool Editing Features

Pen

The Snipping Tool provides a pen tool that allows you to draw on your snips. You can choose from different colors and line thickness options to enhance your snips or highlight specific areas. The pen tool is particularly useful when you want to highlight important information or emphasize specific parts of an image.

Highlighter

The highlighter tool is another useful feature of the Snipping Tool. It allows you to draw transparent colored strokes over your snips to emphasize specific areas or sections. By adjusting the opacity and color, you can easily draw attention to important elements in your screenshot.

Eraser

If you make any mistakes or want to remove any annotations from your snip, the Snipping Tool provides an eraser tool. Simply select the eraser tool and click on the annotations you want to remove. This feature allows you to correct any errors or modify your snips without having to start over.

Adding Text

The Snipping Tool also enables you to add text to your snips. Whether you want to include a caption, label specific areas, or provide instructions, the text adding feature allows you to type in your desired text and customize its appearance. Change the font, size, and color to make your text stand out and convey your message effectively.

Color and Line Thickness Options

To further customize your snips, the Snipping Tool offers various color and line thickness options. You can choose different colors for your pen strokes and highlighter, adjusting the opacity as needed. Additionally, you can select from different line thickness options, allowing you to create bold or subtle annotations.

Saving and Sharing Snips

Saving Snips Locally

Once you have captured and edited your snip, you can save it to your computer. To save a snip locally, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Save button in the Snipping Tool window.
2. Choose a location on your computer to save the snip.
3. Give the snip a descriptive file name.
4. Select the desired file format (JPEG, PNG, or GIF) from the “Save as type” dropdown menu.
5. Click on Save to save the snip to your chosen location.

Sending Snips via Email

If you want to share your snip with others via email, the Snipping Tool provides a convenient option. Follow these steps to send a snip via email:

1. Click on the Email button in the Snipping Tool window.
2. A new email message will open in your default email application.
3. The snip will be automatically attached to the email message.
4. Address the email, add a subject line, and include any additional message.
5. Click on Send to send the email with the snip attached.

Copying and Pasting Snips

The Snipping Tool also allows you to copy your snip to the clipboard and paste it into other applications or programs. This is useful when you want to quickly insert the snip into a document, presentation, or image editing software. Simply click on the Copy button, open the desired application, and paste the snip using the appropriate paste command.

Snipping Tool Options

Default Save Location

By default, the Snipping Tool saves snips to the “Pictures” folder on your computer. However, you can change the default save location to a different folder if desired. To change the default save location, follow these steps:

1. Open the Snipping Tool.
2. Click on the Options button in the toolbar.
3. In the Snipping Tool Options dialog box, click on the “Save” tab.
4. Click on the “Change” button next to “Save snips files to” to browse and select a new folder.
5. Click on OK to save the changes.

Hide Instructional Text

The Snipping Tool displays instructional text at the top of the window by default. If you find this text distracting, you can choose to hide it. To hide the instructional text, follow these steps:

1. Open the Snipping Tool.
2. Click on the Options button in the toolbar.
3. In the Snipping Tool Options dialog box, click on the “Hide instruction text” checkbox.
4. Click on OK to save the changes.
5. The next time you open the Snipping Tool, the instructional text will not be displayed.

Prompt to Save Snips

If you often forget to save your snips after capturing them, you can enable the “Prompt to save snips before closing” option. With this option enabled, the Snipping Tool will display a prompt each time you try to close the tool without saving your snip. To enable this option, follow these steps:

1. Open the Snipping Tool.
2. Click on the Options button in the toolbar.
3. In the Snipping Tool Options dialog box, click on the “Save” tab.
4. Check the “Prompt to save snips before closing” checkbox.
5. Click on OK to save the changes.
6. The next time you attempt to close the Snipping Tool without saving, a prompt will remind you to save your snip.

Enable/Disable Ink Output

The Snipping Tool allows you to enable or disable ink output, which affects the appearance of your annotations. When ink output is enabled, your annotations will appear as they were drawn with a pen or marker. If you prefer a cleaner, smoother look, you can disable ink output. To change this setting, follow these steps:

1. Open the Snipping Tool.
2. Click on the Options button in the toolbar.
3. In the Snipping Tool Options dialog box, click on the “Pen” tab.
4. Check or uncheck the “Enable ink output” checkbox.
5. Click on OK to save the changes.

Snipping Tool Tips and Tricks

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

To quickly access the Snipping Tool or switch between its various modes, you can utilize keyboard shortcuts. Some common keyboard shortcuts for the Snipping Tool include:

• [Windows Key] + [Shift] + [S]: This shortcut allows you to capture a snip using the Snipping Tool’s modes without opening the tool itself. The snip will be copied to the clipboard for easy pasting.
• [Alt] + [N]: Switches to Full-Screen Snip mode.
• [Alt] + [Shift] + [N]: Switches to Window Snip mode.
• [Alt] + [Rectangular Snip]: Switches to Rectangular Snip mode.
• [Alt] + [Shift] + [Rectangular Snip]: Switches to Freeform Snip mode.

Using the Delay Feature

The Snipping Tool offers a delay feature that allows you to capture timed screenshots. This is particularly useful when you need to capture menus or tooltips that disappear quickly. To use the delay feature, follow these steps:

1. Open the Snipping Tool.
2. Click on the Delay button in the toolbar.
3. Choose a delay time from the options (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds).
4. Click on OK.
5. After setting the delay, click on the New button to begin the countdown.
6. Arrange and click on the desired screen element to capture it within the set delay time.

Using Snipping Tool Plus

If you find that the Snipping Tool’s features are not sufficient for your needs, you can explore third-party alternatives like Snipping Tool Plus. This enhanced version of the Snipping Tool offers additional features and functionalities, such as capturing scrollable windows, timed screenshots, and multi-monitor support. You can download Snipping Tool Plus from trusted websites, install it on your computer, and enjoy the added capabilities it provides.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Snipping Tool Not Found

In some cases, you may not find the Snipping Tool on your computer. If this occurs, there are a few possible reasons:

• Windows 10 Home Edition: The Snipping Tool is not available in the Home edition of Windows 10.
• Older Windows Versions: If you are using an older version of Windows, such as Windows Vista or XP, you may not have access to the Snipping Tool. Consider upgrading to a newer version or exploring alternative screenshot capture tools.

Snipping Tool Not Working

If the Snipping Tool is not working properly, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

• Restart Your Computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitched or software conflicts.
• Check for Updates: Ensure that your Windows operating system and the Snipping Tool itself are updated to the latest version to prevent any compatibility issues.
• Run the System File Checker: The System File Checker (SFC) is a Windows utility that scans for and repairs corrupted system files. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the command “sfc /scannow” to initiate the scan and repair process.
• Reinstall or Repair the Snipping Tool: If the issue persists, you can try reinstalling or repairing the Snipping Tool. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find the Snipping Tool from the list, click on it, and select either “Uninstall” or “Repair” depending on the available option.

Snipping Tool Missing Features

If you are looking for additional features that are not available in the default Snipping Tool, consider exploring alternative screenshot tools. There are various third-party options available that offer advanced functionalities, including capturing video, scrolling webpages, or automatic sharing options. Do some research and choose a tool that best suits your specific needs.

Alternatives to the Snipping Tool

Windows Game Bar

For Windows 10 users, an alternative to the Snipping Tool is the Windows Game Bar. The Game Bar is primarily built for gamers but can also be used for capturing screenshots. To access the Game Bar, press [Windows Key] + [G] simultaneously. From there, you can use the screen capture button to capture screenshots or even record video clips of your screen.

Print Screen

The Print Screen key (often labeled as “PrtScn” or similar) is a built-in function available on most Windows keyboards. Pressing this key captures the entire screen, and you can then paste the screenshot into an image editing software or document. While it lacks the advanced features of the Snipping Tool, it is a quick and handy way to capture a screenshot without any additional software.

Third-Party Snipping Tools

There are numerous third-party snipping tools available, each offering different features and functionalities. Some popular options include Greenshot, Lightshot, and Snagit. These tools often provide more advanced editing options, easy sharing capabilities, and additional capturing modes. Explore these options and find the tool that best meets your requirements and preferences.

In conclusion, the Snipping Tool is a versatile and user-friendly screenshot capture tool available on Windows operating systems. It offers different modes to capture full screens, specific windows, or custom areas, along with editing features for annotating and enhancing your screenshots. With options for saving, sharing, and customizing your snips, the Snipping Tool proves to be a valuable tool for various personal and professional purposes. However, if the Snipping Tool lacks specific features you need, you can explore alternatives such as the Windows Game Bar or third-party tools to fulfill your requirements.