How to Use Windows 11 Snipping Tool to take a Screenshot

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How to Use Windows 11 Snipping Tool to take a Screenshot

This article explains how you can capture and edit screenshots using the brand new Snipping Tool as well as how to configure Snipping Tool in Windows 11. Snipping Tool in Windows 11.

Microsoft recently released a brand new updated Snipping Tool that replaces both the original Snipping Tool and the Snip & Sketch apps in Windows 11. The two apps that were previously in use weren’t completely eliminated, however, the most effective attributes from both applications were merged to create a brand-new Snipping Tool with some added features.

Snipping Tool is an Windows tool for taking screenshots that allows you to take pictures or screenshots of the whole screen, windows or a specific area of your screen. Snapping a screenshot is the most efficient and quickest method of capturing precisely what your screen is showing in a photo format that you can then send it to others and save the image for later use.

It is possible to use the Snipping Tool to take screen shots of a specific area, such as a rectangle or a free-form space or even the entire screen. There are also options to create an alarm (in seconds) to capture screen shots. Additionally, the new application comes with new and improved editing tools, as well as an updated settings page that lets you set up the application. In this guide we will walk you through the entire process of using this New Snipping Tool in Windows 11.

How to take Screenshots using the Snipping Tool on Windows 11

Screenshots can be extremely useful for sharing important details (like configurations of your system) or troubleshooting issues or for project work and assignments, share the image on Facebook or explain the procedure in an article such as the one below, and so much more. Windows 11’s Snipping Tool comes with a variety of options for snipping and editing options that make the process of taking screenshots a seamless and enjoyable experience. Let’s see how you can capture screenshots (snips) with the new Snipping Tool within Windows 11.

Launching tool for snipping with Keyboard Shortcut

The quickest and most efficient method to take an image (snip) within Windows 11 with the snipping tool is to press the shortcut keyboard Window Logo Key + Shift+S. When you press these shortcut keys you will be able to see four options for snipping on the top of your screen , as illustrated below.

Choose the snipping mode that you’d like to use to capture a screenshot for example:

  • Rectangular Snip This mode lets users to capture a picture of a rectangular area of the screen. Choose this option and then click and drag a rectangle portion of the screen that you wish to snip.
  • Freeform Snip –This mode lets you capture a picture of the entire area in free-form. Choose this mode to create a custom sketch around your object you wish to cut.
  • Window Snip –Select this option to take a screenshot of the window that a specific app displays that is displayed on screen.
  • Fullscreen Snip –This mode lets you take a picture of the whole screen of your display.

If you choose ‘Retangular snip or Freeform cut’, just select and drag the part of the screen that you wish to cut. If you choose ‘Window snip mode, choose any window in the screen to make a cut. If you select ‘Fullscreen snip’ choosing this option will create a fullscreen image.

If you wish to stop the snipping process, simply click the ‘X’ symbol in the middle of the tools or hit Esc.

After you have taken the screenshot the notification will show in the lower-right edge of your screen. Click on this notification and you will be able to view the image in the Snipping Tool window.

When you snap an image, the picture is copied automatically to the clipboard, allowing you to directly paste the image into websites or photo editing tools or any other applications.

If you click on the notification to open the image in a fresh Snipping Tool window as shown below. There are different options and tools to edit the image, add annotations and save, share and print the image. For instance, we’ve captured a screenshot from an YouTube video in the following.

Then, launch the Snipping Tool by selecting the GUI choices

Another method to take an image using the tool called Snipping is by opening the application first, and then selecting the option to snip the screen.

To start Snipping Tool, open the Snipping Tool app, search for the word ‘Snipping Tool Snipping Tool’ in Windows Search and select the appropriate search result.

Its Snipping Tool will be in a manner that is based on The Windows Theme. To cut a screen, just click on the ‘Snipping Mode drop-down menu, and choose one of the four modes. After that, press the ‘New’ button and capture the screen in the mode you have selected.

Delay the Snipping Time

In the application, you can extend the time for snipping. It is possible to capture a screenshot after three, five or 10 seconds after pressing the ‘New’ button. This is helpful for snipping the pop-up window, progress status or other messages.

Then, choose the mode and then select the ‘Time before the snip’ drop-down (which defaults to “No delay”, by default) and then select the time period you’d like to take the picture. There are only three time-delay options such as ‘Snip in 3 seconds”, ‘Snip in 5 seconds’, or ‘Snip in 10 seconds’.

It is important to know that delay snipping isn’t available in Fullscreen mode.

How to Save, Share, Copy and Print the Screenshots

We’ll look at how you can annotate and edit your images, in greater depth later. But first let’s look at how you can zoom and save copies, share, and print your snippets using the tool called Snipping.

The zoom options, save, copy and options for sharing (as icons) in the upper-right corner on the toolbar.

Zooming in on the image. To zoom into the image, simply click the Zoom icon and utilize the slider for zooming in or out of the image.

Saving your screen. You can save your screenshot as JPEG, PNG, or other formats. To save the screenshot (snipping) simply select the Save as button or hold Ctrl+S.

The file’s name is displayed in the Save As window, choose the format and choose an option to save the cutting.

Copy the screenshot to your the clipboard. When you take the snippet, your image is saved to your clipboard automatically. However, if you wish to copy the edited and annotated image to your clipboard, select the Copy icon beside the Save icon, or press Ctrl+C.

Share the image with the Windows 11 Sharing menu. To share the image or screenshot to someone else simply click or tap the Share icon and select whether you wish to send the picture via email, Bluetooth/WiFi or another software.

printing the image. You can even print the image by pressing the three dots menu button in the upper right-hand corner of the app , and then selecting the option to print. You can then select the printer that is connected to your device and take the picture and print it.

How to Edit a Screenshot in Snipping Tool

After you have taken the photo The editing tools within the application allow you to annotate and modify your images. Snipping Tool Snipping Tool provides you with different editing tools, such as the Ballpoint Pen, Highlighter. Touch Writing, Eraser Ruler, Protractor and image cropping.

Annotating Screenshots in the Snipping Tool

You can draw, write or highlight the image by choosing the ‘Ballpoint Pen or Highlighter option’. Double-click either icons for the colour palette to be opened, and select the size and color of the highlighter or pen.

You can then draw, write, or highlight with the tools that are on the clipboard.

You can also utilize the tools using Alt+B to activate Ballpoint pen, and Alt+H to activate a highlighter.

Erasing Annotations in Screenshots in the Snipping Tool

The Eraser tool is able to erase drawings or annotations from the snippet. Select the Eraser icon, move the mouse over the precise strokes or writing you wish to erase.

To erase all annotations that are on the snippet then double-click the ‘Eraser icon and then select the “Erase all ink” option.

Using the Ruler and Protractor in the Snipping Tool

The tool for snipping also comes with an aprotractor and a ruler that can assist you to create straight lines and arches. For access to the ruler simply click or press the button ‘Ruler’ or double-click on the icon for the Ruler from the toolbar at the top and choose the ‘Ruler’ option.

The ruler’s virtual image will appear within the center of the window , as illustrated below. For moving the ruler simply clickor tap on the ruler, then drag it across the image with your mouse, finger, or pen. Then, you can employ it to trace straight lines, or to measure the size of something.

Additionally, if you want to turn the ruler around simply hover with your mouse on the value (which is set to 0deg by default) at the center of the ruler. Then utilize the scroll wheel on your mouse or two fingers to turn the ruler.

To take out the ruler, tap or click the icon ‘Ruler’ from the toolbar, and then select the ‘Ruler’ icon once more.

To open the Protractor, select or tap the icon ‘Ruler’ or double-click on the Ruler icon, then select the option ‘Protractor’..

You can then make use of the virtual protractor to draw an arc or pie from an angle, or to measure angles, as shown below. Tap or click on the protractor, and drag it to place it where you’d like it to be. You can alter the size of the protractor by moving the mouse’s scroll wheel on over the top, or using two fingers to alter the size or size of the protractor.

Touch writing on the Snipping Tool

Another tool that is useful in this case Another useful tool is Touch writing. You can write whatever you like on the snipboard by clicking or tapping on the icon ‘Touch Writing’ on the toolbar . You can then make use of touch to write on your screen. This tool is best used if you own a tablet or 2-in-1 device that has touchscreen support. However, even if you don’t own an LCD touch screen, you can also utilize the mouse cursor to write. It is also possible to switch off the tool using Alt+T.

Cropping Screenshots or Images in the Snipping Tool

If you wish to crop an image or screenshot image, simply click or tap the icon ‘Crop’ from the toolbar.

Drag the white edges shown in the image to select the area you wish to cut. Once you’re done you can click the “Apply” option (tick mark) at the top, or enter. If you wish to stop the cropping then click the “Cancel” button (X) or press Esc. You can zoom in or out of the image by clicking the ‘Zoom’ button adjacent on the button to apply.

Undoing/ Redoing the Edits in the Snipping Tool

You can reverse the changes you made to the image or screenshot by pressing the ‘Anticlockwise Arrow’ on the menu bar, or by pressing Ctrl+Z on your keyboard.

You can also make modifications you made to the snipping by clicking the ‘Clockwise Arrow’ on the toolbar, or pressing Ctrl+Y.

Setting Up the Snipping Tool in Windows 11

The tool for snipping comes with an entirely separate Settings page, on which you can alter the app’s preferences, such as opening every screen in a separate window, adding automatically outlines and so on. One of these options is to set the PrtScn key to launch the Snipping tool.

Enable Print Screen Key to Launch the Snipping Tool

To snap a quick screenshot using Snipping Tool it is necessary to press Win + Shift + S however it could take a couple of seconds to press three keys simultaneously on your keyboard. You can, however, take a screenshot by press the PrtScn (Print Screen) key by itself that will make screen snipping simpler and quicker than the previous three-key shortcuts.

To enable screen snipping using the PrtScn shortcut, first you must enable the shortcut within Windows Settings. This is how to accomplish this:

To begin, you must open the Snipping Tool. Click the menu button with three dots at the upper-right corner of the application then select “Settings” from the menu.

On the Snipping Tool Settings page, click on the “Change settings” button in the Shortcuts section.

It will request confirmation before switching apps Select ‘Yes’ in the dialogue box.

It will open the Windows 11 Keyboard Settings page under accessibility. Go down on the Keyboard Settings page till you find the option to turn on the shortcut for printing screen, that is found under the ‘On-screen keyboard access keys, and Print Screen’ section.

Click on the switch next to the ‘Use the print screen to launch screen snipping’ in order to activate the shortcut, as shown below. Once you’ve completed these steps, it may require restarting your computer to make this change effective.

After restarting your PC by pressing the PrtScn button on your keyboard will display your screen-snipping option at the top of the screen. You can then cut the cut.

Snipping Settings

There are a variety of options for sniping in the Settings page that allow you to personalize your experience when snipping.

The options listed are almost easy to explain. They include,

  • Copy to Clipboard automatically – By enabling this feature, you can automatically update the clipboard whenever you alter the image.
  • Save snips –Turning on this switch will prompt you to save the screenshot prior to closing the tool for snipping.
  • Multi-windows – This option allows users to view each new clipping in a separate window.
  • Snip outline By enabling this feature, you will automatically create an outline for every screenshot. You can also alter the size and color of this outline simply by pressing the downward arrow adjacent to the toggle for Snip outline.

If you click the downward arrow, you’ll be able to see the Thickness and Color options, as illustrated below. Select the Color box to select the color you want in the palette of colors. Then adjust the slider to alter your outline’s thickness.

Change the theme of the Snipping Tool to Light or Dark mode

The Snipping Tool can also allow you to change the theme of the application independent of the Windows theme by using the Settings page. To alter the theme of the tool, simply click the “App Theme drop-down in the section titled Appearance.

It is set to utilize the theme of Windows. If your computer has the dark themes, the application will also display with a dark theme. However, you are able to select between ‘Light’ or Dark’ modes and also the’system settings’ (Windows theme).

After you’ve changed your theme you’ll have to restart the application to be able to see the changes.

That’s it.

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