How To Use Snipping Tool In Windows 10

The Snipping Tool in Windows 10 is a powerful tool that allows you to capture screenshots and annotate them with ease. With just a few simple steps, you can quickly capture and save any part of your screen, whether it's a specific window, a selected area, or even the entire screen. This handy tool is a game-changer for professionals who need to share visual information or highlight specific details in their work.

The Snipping Tool has a rich history, evolving from its initial launch in Windows Vista to become an essential feature in Windows 10. It provides a convenient alternative to the traditional Print Screen method, allowing you to capture exactly what you need without unnecessary cropping or editing. In fact, studies have shown that using a snipping tool can increase productivity by up to 30% when compared to manual screenshot methods. Whether you're a designer, a developer, or a content creator, the Snipping Tool is a must-have tool in your arsenal.

Capturing Screenshots with Snipping Tool in Windows 10

The Snipping Tool is a useful built-in application in Windows 10 that allows users to capture screenshots quickly and easily. Whether you need to capture a full screen, a specific region, or even a specific window, the Snipping Tool provides various options to meet your needs. In this article, we will explore how to use the Snipping Tool in Windows 10, including its different modes, settings, and advanced features.

1. Accessing the Snipping Tool

To access the Snipping Tool in Windows 10, you can follow these steps:

• Click on the "Start" button on your desktop taskbar.
• Type "Snipping Tool" into the search bar.
• Click on the Snipping Tool application in the search results.

Alternatively, you can also access the Snipping Tool by pressing the Windows key + S keyboard shortcut and then typing "Snipping Tool" in the search bar.

2. Using the Snipping Tool

Once you have opened the Snipping Tool, you will see the following options:

The Snipping Tool provides different snipping modes:

a. Free-Form Snip

The Free-Form Snip allows you to draw a custom shape around the area you want to capture. To use this mode:

• Select the "Free-Form Snip" icon in the Snipping Tool.
• Click and hold the left mouse button, then drag the cursor to draw a custom shape.
• Release the mouse button to capture the screenshot.

b. Rectangular Snip

The Rectangular Snip allows you to capture a rectangular area on the screen. To use this mode:

• Select the "Rectangular Snip" icon in the Snipping Tool.
• Click and hold the left mouse button, then drag the cursor to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
• Release the mouse button to capture the screenshot.

c. Window Snip

The Window Snip allows you to capture a specific window on your screen. To use this mode:

• Select the "Window Snip" icon in the Snipping Tool.
• Click on the window you want to capture. The Snipping Tool will automatically capture that window.

d. Full-Screen Snip

The Full-Screen Snip allows you to capture the entire screen. To use this mode:

• Select the "Full-Screen Snip" icon in the Snipping Tool.
• The Snipping Tool will automatically capture the entire screen.

3. Snipping Tool Options

The Snipping Tool also provides various options to customize your screenshot capturing experience:

a. Delayed Snip

The Delayed Snip option allows you to set a delay before capturing a screenshot. This is useful when you need to capture menus or hover effects that disappear quickly. To use this option:

• Click on the "Delay" button in the Snipping Tool.
• Select the desired delay time from the drop-down menu.
• Click on the "New" button to start the delay countdown.

b. Ink Colors and Pen Thickness

The Snipping Tool allows you to customize the ink color and pen thickness when annotating your screenshots. To change these settings:

• Click on the "Pen" button in the Snipping Tool.
• Select the desired ink color from the color palette.
• Select the desired pen thickness from the options available.
• Start annotating your screenshot using the selected ink color and pen thickness.

c. Save and Share Options

The Snipping Tool allows you to save your screenshots to specific locations and easily share them with others. To access these options:

• Click on the "Save" button in the Snipping Tool.
• Select the desired save location and file name for your screenshot.
• Choose the appropriate file format (PNG, JPEG, GIF, or HTML) for your screenshot.
• Click on the "Save" button to save your screenshot.
• Click on the "Copy" button to copy the screenshot to the clipboard for easy sharing.
• Click on the "Send Snip" button to email the screenshot directly from the Snipping Tool.

Advanced Features of the Snipping Tool

In addition to the basic capturing and annotating features, the Snipping Tool also offers some advanced functionality:

1. Capture Dropdown

The Snipping Tool's Capture dropdown menu provides additional options for capturing screenshots:

a. Capture an Inactive Window

The "Capture an Inactive Window" option allows you to capture a specific window even if it is not in focus or currently active. This is useful when you want to capture a window without switching to it. To use this option:

• Click on the "Capture" dropdown in the Snipping Tool.
• Select the "Capture an Inactive Window" option.
• Click on the desired window to capture it.

b. Capture a Screen After Delay

The "Capture a Screen After Delay" option allows you to capture a screenshot of the entire screen after a specific delay. This is useful when you need some time to prepare the screen before capturing it. To use this option:

• Click on the "Capture" dropdown in the Snipping Tool.
• Select the "Capture a Screen After Delay" option.
• Enter the desired delay time in seconds.
• Click on the "New" button to start the delay countdown.

2. Keyboard Shortcuts

The Snipping Tool supports various keyboard shortcuts to streamline the capturing process:

Ctrl + N	Create a new snip.
Ctrl + S	Save the snip.
Ctrl + C	Copy the snip to the clipboard.
Alt + M	Select the snipping mode.
Alt + D	Delay the snip.
Alt + T	Choose the ink color for annotations.

3. Using Snipping Tool with Print Screen

If you prefer the traditional method of using the Print Screen key to capture screenshots, you can still utilize the Snipping Tool:

• Press the Print Screen key on your keyboard.
• Open the Snipping Tool.
• Click on the "New" button to start a new snip.
• Click and drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture.
• Release the mouse button to capture the screenshot.
• Proceed with annotations or save the screenshot as desired.

Using the Snipping Tool in Windows 10 provides a convenient way to capture and annotate screenshots on your desktop. Whether you need to save an entire screen, a specific window, or a custom shape, the Snipping Tool offers various modes to cater to your requirements. Additionally, the advanced features and options enhance the usability and flexibility of this built-in Windows application. Mastering the Snipping Tool will allow you to capture and share screenshots efficiently, ultimately improving your productivity and collaboration.

Using the Snipping Tool in Windows 10

Windows 10 comes with a built-in tool called the Snipping Tool that allows you to capture screenshots of your desktop or specific areas. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the Snipping Tool:

1. Open the Snipping Tool by clicking on the "Start" button, then typing "Snipping Tool" in the search bar, and clicking on the app.

2. Once the Snipping Tool opens, click on the "New" button to start a new capture.

3. Choose the type of capture you want to take: Free-form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, or Full-screen Snip.

4. After selecting your desired capture type, click and drag the cursor to select the area you want to capture. Release the mouse button to complete the capture.

5. Once the capture is complete, the Snipping Tool will open a window where you can annotate or save your capture. You can add highlights, text, or a freehand drawing to your screenshot.

6. To save your capture, click on the "File" menu, then select "Save As" and choose your desired location.

That's it! You now know how to use the Snipping Tool in Windows 10 to easily capture and annotate your screen. It's a handy tool for taking screenshots for presentations, tutorials, or documenting issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Snipping Tool is a useful feature in Windows 10 that allows users to capture screenshots or snips of their screen. Here are some common questions about how to use the Snipping Tool:

1. How do I open the Snipping Tool in Windows 10?

To open the Snipping Tool in Windows 10, follow these steps: 1. Click on the "Start" menu. 2. Type "Snipping Tool" in the search bar. 3. Click on the "Snipping Tool" application from the search results. Once the Snipping Tool is open, you can start capturing screenshots or snips.

2. What are the different types of snips I can take with the Snipping Tool?

The Snipping Tool offers four different types of snips: 1. Free-form snip: Capture a snip in any shape or form by drawing around the area you want to capture. 2. Rectangular snip: Capture a snip in the shape of a rectangle by dragging the cursor around the area you want to capture. 3. Window snip: Capture a snip of a specific window or dialog box by clicking on the window you want to capture. 4. Full-screen snip: Capture a snip of the entire screen. You can choose the type of snip you want to take by selecting the respective option from the Snipping Tool toolbar.

3. How do I save a snip using the Snipping Tool?

To save a snip using the Snipping Tool, follow these steps: 1. Capture the snip using one of the snipping options. 2. Click on the "File" menu in the Snipping Tool. 3. Select "Save As" from the menu. 4. Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the snip. 5. Enter a name for the snip and select the desired file format (PNG, JPEG, GIF, or HTML). 6. Click on the "Save" button. The snip will be saved to the specified location on your computer.

4. Can I edit a snip after capturing it with the Snipping Tool?

No, the Snipping Tool does not provide built-in editing features. However, you can use other image editing software, such as Paint or Adobe Photoshop, to edit the snip after saving it. Simply open the saved snip in the editing software and make the desired changes.

5. Are there keyboard shortcuts for using the Snipping Tool in Windows 10?

Yes, there are keyboard shortcuts available for using the Snipping Tool in Windows 10. Here are some commonly used shortcuts: - Ctrl + Print Screen: Capture a full-screen snip. - Alt + Print Screen: Capture a snip of the active window. - Ctrl + Alt + M: Choose a type of snip (Free-form, Rectangular, Window, or Full-screen). - Ctrl + S: Save the snip. - Ctrl + C: Copy the snip to the clipboard. Using these shortcuts can help you quickly and efficiently capture and save snips with the Snipping Tool.

In conclusion, the Snipping Tool is a handy feature in Windows 10 that allows you to capture and save screenshots with ease. It offers various capturing options, including full-screen snips, window snips, and custom snips, giving you the flexibility to capture exactly what you need. You can also make basic edits to your snips, such as highlighting or annotating important information.

To use the Snipping Tool, simply search for it in the Start menu or use the keyboard shortcut "Windows key + Shift + S". Once open, choose the type of snip you want to take and click, drag, or select the area of the screen you want to capture. Your snip will then be saved to the clipboard or a file, ready for you to use or share as needed.