The built-in Snipping Tool is a versatile utility that allows users to snap, save, annotate, and share screenshots of all or a portion of their screen. It also offers the capability to record a video—with sound—of a window on your desktop. The simplest way to access the Snipping Tool is by using the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Shift + S.
When you activate the Snipping Tool, your screen will dim, and a small panel will appear at the top of your screen. This panel lets you choose the type of screenshot you want to take: rectangular, freeform, window, or full-screen. Once you capture your screenshot, it will be saved to your clipboard and appear momentarily as a notification in the lower-right corner of your screen. Clicking on this notification will open the screenshot in the Snipping Tool app, where you can annotate, save, or share it. If you miss the notification, you can find it in the notification panel.
Recording Videos with Snipping Tool
To start recording a video, highlight a portion of your screen and then click Start from the small panel at the top of your screen. You have the option to record system audio, sound from the microphone, or both.
Accessing Snipping Tool from Taskbar or Start Menu
If you search for the Snipping Tool from the taskbar or open it from the Start menu’s alphabetical list of apps, it will open a small window instead of the tiny panel at the top of the screen. From here, you need to click the New button in the upper left to initiate a screen capture and open the small panel. This method adds an extra step but also allows you to delay a screenshot by 3, 5, or 10 seconds.
After opening the Snipping Tool, click the New button to begin the screenshot process. The default snip type is rectangular, but you can also take free-form, full-screen, and window snips. Note that the Snipping Tool does not automatically save your screenshots—you will need to manually save them in the tool before you exit. However, it does automatically copy your captures to the clipboard.
Using Print Screen Key
To capture your entire screen, tap the Print Screen (sometimes labeled PrtScn) key. Your screenshot won’t be saved as a file but will be copied to the clipboard. You’ll need to open an image editing tool (such as Microsoft Paint), paste the screenshot into the editor, and save the file from there. You can also set the PrtScn button to open the Snipping Tool by going to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and toggling on Use the Print screen key to open screen capture.
Other Screenshot Methods
- Windows key + Print Screen: To capture your entire screen and automatically save the screenshot, tap this combination. Your screen will briefly go dim to indicate you’ve taken a screenshot, which will be saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.
- Alt + Print Screen: To take a quick screenshot of the active window, use this shortcut. This will snap your currently active window and copy the screenshot to the clipboard. You’ll need to open it in an image editor to save it.
- No Print Screen key? If your computer doesn’t have a PrtScn key, press Fn + Windows key + spacebar to take a full-screen screenshot. It will be saved to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.
Game Bar for Screenshots
You can also use the Game bar to snap a screenshot, whether you’re in the middle of playing a game or not. First, enable the Game bar from the settings page by making sure you’ve toggled on Record game clips, screenshots and broadcasts using Game bar. Once enabled...
