How To Use Snipping Tool On Windows 11: A Comprehensive Guide

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5 min. read

Published on October 20, 2025

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The Snipping Tool in Windows 11 is a versatile utility for capturing screenshots. Whether you need to grab a full-screen image, a specific window, or a free-form selection, the Snipping Tool provides the tools you need. This guide will walk you through the steps of using the Snipping Tool effectively.

This tool offers various modes and features to enhance your screenshot experience. In this guide, we’ll explore how to access and utilize these functionalities to take, edit, and save your captures.

How Do I Use the Snipping Tool on Windows 11?

Accessing the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool can be accessed in several ways:

Using the Start Menu:

Click the Start button.
Type “Snipping Tool” in the search bar.
Click on the “Snipping Tool” app to open it.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut:

Press the Windows key + Shift + S keys simultaneously. This will activate the screen-snipping interface directly.

Through Quick Actions in Notification Center:

Click on the Notification Center icon in the taskbar (usually located at the bottom-right corner of the screen).
Look for the “Screen snip” quick action button. If it’s not visible, click “Expand” to show all quick actions.
Click on “Screen snip” to start the Snipping Tool.

Taking a Snip

Once the Snipping Tool is open, you can take a snip using the following steps:

Choose a Snip Mode:

Click the “New” button in the Snipping Tool window.
Select the desired snip mode from the dropdown menu next to the “New” button. The available modes are:
Rectangular Mode: Drag a rectangle around the area you want to capture.
Window Mode: Click on a specific window to capture it.
Full-screen Mode: Capture the entire screen.
Freeform Mode: Draw a freeform shape around the area you want to capture.

Capture the Snip:

Depending on the mode you selected, follow the on-screen instructions to capture the snip. For example, in Rectangular Mode, click and drag the cursor to define the area.

Review the Snip:

The captured snip will automatically open in the Snipping Tool window, where you can preview and edit it.

Editing a Snip

The Snipping Tool provides basic editing features to annotate your screenshots:

Use the Pen Tool:

Click on the “Pen” icon in the toolbar.
Choose a color and thickness for the pen.
Draw or write directly on the snip to add annotations.

Use the Highlighter Tool:

Click on the “Highlighter” icon in the toolbar.
Highlight specific areas of the snip to emphasize them.

Use the Eraser Tool:

Click on the “Eraser” icon in the toolbar.
Erase any unwanted pen marks or highlights.

Crop the Snip:

Click the “Crop” icon in the toolbar.
Drag the edges of the cropping rectangle to select the area you want to keep.
Click the checkmark to apply the crop.

Saving a Snip

After editing the snip, you can save it to your computer:

Click the Save Button:

Click the “Save” icon (a floppy disk icon) in the toolbar.

Choose a Save Location and File Name:

Select the folder where you want to save the snip.
Enter a name for the file.

Select a File Type:

Choose the desired file type from the “Save as type” dropdown menu. Options include PNG, JPEG, and GIF.

Click the Save Button:

Click the “Save” button to save the snip.

Tips for Effective Snipping

Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Memorize the Windows key + Shift + S shortcut for quick access to the Snipping Tool.
Explore Different Snip Modes: Experiment with different snip modes to find the one that best suits your needs.
Annotate Your Snips: Use the pen and highlighter tools to add context and emphasize important details.
Save Your Snips Regularly: Save your snips frequently to avoid losing your work.
Use the Delay Feature: The Snipping Tool has a “Delay” option that allows you to set a delay (up to 5 seconds) before the snip is taken. This can be useful for capturing menus or pop-up windows that disappear when you click.

Understanding Snipping Tool Features

The Snipping Tool offers several features that can enhance your screenshot experience:

Feature	Description
Snip Modes	Allows you to choose the type of screenshot you want to take: Rectangular, Window, Full-screen, or Freeform.
Pen Tool	Enables you to draw or write directly on the screenshot using different colors and thicknesses.
Highlighter Tool	Allows you to highlight specific areas of the screenshot to emphasize them.
Eraser Tool	Enables you to erase any unwanted pen marks or highlights from the screenshot.
Crop Tool	Allows you to crop the screenshot to remove unnecessary parts and focus on the important areas.
Delay Feature	Lets you set a delay (up to 5 seconds) before the screenshot is taken, which can be useful for capturing menus or pop-up windows.
Save As	Provides options to save the screenshot in different file formats, such as PNG, JPEG, and GIF, allowing you to choose the format that best suits your needs.

Mastering Screenshot Captures

By following these steps, you can effectively use the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 to capture, edit, and save screenshots. The Snipping Tool is a valuable asset for many tasks, from creating tutorials to sharing information.

FAQ

How do I open Snipping Tool in Windows 11?

You can open the Snipping Tool by searching for it in the Start Menu, using the keyboard shortcut (Windows key + Shift + S), or through the Quick Actions in the Notification Center.

How do I take a screenshot of a specific window?

Open the Snipping Tool, select “Window Mode,” and then click on the window you want to capture.

Can I edit screenshots in the Snipping Tool?

Yes, the Snipping Tool offers basic editing features such as pen, highlighter, eraser, and crop tools.

What file formats can I save my screenshots in?

You can save screenshots in PNG, JPEG, and GIF formats.