You need to know about this cool, little-used feature for Windows

Learn how to use Windows Snipping Tool and upgrade your screenshot game

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How to use the Windows Snipping Tool: cut to the chase

How to use the Windows Snipping Tool: in depth

●System:Windows 10 or Windows 11●Tools:Keyboard and mouse●Skill Level:Beginner

There are plenty of options for taking screenshots on your PC or laptop, including the use of extensions or the very simple ‘Print Screen’ key on your keyboard. But there’s a simple way to not onlytake a screenshot on your computer, but to also control what part of the screen you screenshot.

How to use the Windows Snipping Tool with a mouse and keyboard

Have the screen displayedto what you want to screenshot or crop, whether it’s a program or a website on an internet tab.

On the keyboard, locate the following keys: theWindows key(denoted by a small four-pane window logo on the key), theShift key, and theS key.

Press the Windows keyand the Shift key at the same time. While holding those keys down,press the S key.

A small box should appear at the top of the screen, with several options to choose from. These options areRectangular Snip,Free-form Snip,Window Snip, andFullscreen Snip.Choose which option is best for your needs with the mouse. For the first two, you’ll need to crop which section you want using the tool on the cursor.The last two options simply require you to click them, then a screenshot will automatically be taken.

Any screenshots or crops are automatically copiedin your clipboard. You simply need toPasteit into any compatible application.

How to use the Windows Snipping Tool with just a mouse

Have the screen displayedto what you want to screenshot or crop, whether it’s a program or a website on an internet tab.

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Go to the Start menulocated on the bottom left corner of your screen and click it, orpress the Windows key plus the S keyto bring up the search bar.

Type Snipping Toolin theSearchbar and click the app that appears in the window.

Rectangular Snip is chosen by default, however you can choose which option you want through the toolbar. These options areRectangular Snip,Free-form Snip,Window Snip, andFullscreen Snip.

Choose which option is best for your needs with the mouse. For the first two, you’ll need to crop which section you want using the tool on the cursor.

The last two options simply require you to click them, then a screenshot will automatically be taken.

Any screenshots or crops are automatically copiedin your clipboard. You simply need to Paste it into any compatible application.

Final thoughts

Though the Windows Snipping Tool is incredibly useful and offers several options that can suit your needs, there are other ways to screenshot or crop your screen. The fastest and easiest way would be the ‘Print Screen’ button located either on the very top or the right side of your keyboard. This instantly creates a screenshot of whatever is on screen, and copies it to the clipboard.

Other options include downloading an extension from your browser in order to screenshot or crop, including several options from ourbest Chrome extensionslist. While definitely the more involved option, it also tends to offer the most customization and many offer a lot of features that the Windows Snipping Tool can’t. In most cases, the image isn’t sent to the clipboard but instead a copy is made available to your browser for editing or you can save a file to your computer.

Considering all this, most users prefer a simple option that allows for a few easy to use options. And especially something that’s already built into your PC, versus something you have to download to use. Best of all, you don’t have to choose, since the Windows Snipping Tool is always available in anyWIndows 10orWindows 11 installation, so you can always use many different options depending on your needs.

Named by the CTA as a CES 2023 Media Trailblazer, Allisa is a Computing Staff Writer who covers breaking news and rumors in the computing industry, as well as reviews, hands-on previews, featured articles, and the latest deals and trends. In her spare time you can find her chatting it up on her two podcasts, Megaten Marathon and Combo Chain, as well as playing any JRPGs she can get her hands on.

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