How to Use Snipping Tool in Windows 11

  • Capture everything, not just your browser tabs
  • Highlight keystrokes and mouse actions
  • Draw on videos in real time
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Edited by
Ben Jacklin
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Key takeaways

  • The fastest way to open the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 is the Win + Shift + S shortcut, which brings up the capture overlay instantly.
  • The Window Mode is the quickest way to capture an entire app without dragging a rectangle or adjusting borders.
  • Every snip you take is automatically copied to your clipboard, so you can instantly paste with Ctrl + V.
  • Clicking the screenshot notification opens the Snipping Tool editor, where you can crop, annotate, and save the image.
  • For capturing motion, tutorials, or scrolling actions, the Snipping Tool isn’t enough – use a screen recording tool instead.

If you spend any time on a PC, you know how essential it is to grab a screenshot quickly. Whether I’m documenting a system error for support, grabbing part of a webpage, or saving something I want to reference later, screenshots are part of my daily workflow. Thankfully, Windows 11 makes this easier than any previous version by combining the old Snipping Tool and the newer Screen Sketch app into a single, streamlined utility.

So, what is the Snipping Tool in Windows 11? The updated Snipping Tool gives you immediate access to four capture modes and a faster, more intuitive workflow. For me, the real upgrade is in the execution speed. By pressing a combination of Win + Shift + S keys, I can open the overlay instantly without digging through menus or searching the Start button, and it has now become second nature due to its convenience.

If you are also looking to achieve this level of convenience with the Windows 11 built-in tool, then you have just struck a gem. This guide breaks down exactly how to use Snipping Tool, from the quickest keyboard shortcuts to what each mode does and how to edit or save your captures. If you rely on screenshots for work, study, or everyday tasks, mastering these steps makes the process faster, cleaner, and far more efficient.

Essential shortcuts for Snipping Tool for Windows 11

Although you can always find the Windows 11 Snipping Tool in your Start menu, relying on the keyboard is significantly faster. Honestly, I rarely open the interface manually; I just use the Windows Snipping Tool hotkeys as highlighted in the table below.

Shortcut

Action

Result

Win + Shift + S

Opens the Snipping Tool overlay.

Activates the screenshot capture menu on your screen

PrtScn (Print Screen key)

Opens the Snipping Tool overlay.

Only works if you have configured the Print Screen key in Windows Settings

Alt + PrtScn

Classic window capture

Captures only the active window (not using the Snipping Tool)

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Special pick: Screencapture.com

Start Recording

The Windows 11 Snipping Tool is great for still screenshots, but it ends there. Sometimes, when I want to capture an animated menu, a video clip, or a scrolling webpage, the native tool simply falls short. For those dynamic moments, I turn to an online screen recorder.

Unlike the native tool for Windows 11, Screencapture.com can capture video with audio. I found that I could quickly start recording a quick tutorial or a live video feed without needing any installation. I often use it for quick video clips, as it provides a valuable alternative when a simple static screenshot is not enough.

How to use the Snipping Tool step by step

The core process of using the Snipping Tool for Windows 11 is simple, especially once you master the main shortcut. To do this, you can follow the steps below as a guide:

Step 1. Launch the tool

To get started, I simply press the Win + Shift + S keys simultaneously. When you do this, the screen brightness will dim, and a small toolbar will appear at the top center of your display.

Step 2. Select a mode

The toolbar typically shows five icons, four of which allow me to choose my desired capture shape, with the last being Cancel (X) in case I change my mind. The other four options include:

  • Rectangular mode (default): the most commonly used mode. I click and drag to draw a box around the specific area I want to capture. This is ideal for grabbing a small portion of a web page or a chat window. The moment you release the mouse button, the snip is taken.
  • Freeform mode: this mode is helpful when the content you need isn't a neat rectangle. When I activate it, the cursor changes, allowing me to draw a freehand outline around the object or text. Everything inside my drawn line is captured, and the background outside the shape becomes transparent.
  • Window mode: this is fantastic for capturing clean application shots. I hover over a single open window, whether it's my browser, a document, or an application panel, and the tool automatically selects the entire window border, including the title bar. I just click once, and the full, clean window picture is instantly captured.
  • Fullscreen mode: captures the entire display instantly, perfect for when I need everything on my screen, especially if I have multiple monitors connected.

Step 3. Complete the snip and access the image

Once the snip is taken, the image is copied to your clipboard and minimized into a micro image notification that appears in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Step 4. Edit and save

If there is a need to make further adjustments to the screenshot, I can click on this notification to open the Snip & Sketch editing interface. This is where the real utility comes in. I can:

  • Annotate: use the pen and highlighter tools to draw attention to specific parts of the screenshot.
  • Crop: use the dedicated crop tool to fine-tune the borders and remove any unnecessary background or information from the captured image.
  • Save: after making my edits, I click the save icon to store the image as a PNG, JPG, or GIF file on my PC.

Conclusion

The Windows 11 Snipping Tool is perhaps the fastest and most convenient way to capture static screen grabs on a PC. Besides, the Win + Shift + S shortcut is a game-changer, letting me bypass the start menu and immediately jump right into action. However, I think it’s important to emphasize what the snipping tool is built for; it’s for still pictures and nothing more.

If you’re a content creator or if you need to capture a complex tutorial or a lengthy webpage, you’ll quickly hit its limits. That's why I keep an online tool like Screencapture.com in my bookmarks. It fills the gap by giving me video capture capabilities when a simple screenshot just won't cut it. For everyday use, it’s advisable to stick with the Microsoft tool; for everything else, know your alternatives.

Movavi Screen Recorder

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Disclaimer: Please be aware that Movavi Screen Recorder does not allow capture of copy-protected video and audio streams.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you use a Snipping Tool step by step?

Press Win + Shift + S, click one of the four modes, and select the screen area. The image is copied to the clipboard.

How do you copy and paste with a Snipping Tool?

The captured image is automatically copied to the clipboard after the snip is taken. Press Ctrl + V to paste the picture into any application.

How do you use the Snipping Tool and edit?

Click the pop-up notification that appears after taking the snip. This opens the editor, where you can annotate with the pen/highlighter or use the crop tool to refine the image.

How do you snip and copy an image?

Use the Win + Shift + S shortcut. The moment the snip is completed using any of the four modes, the resulting picture is instantly copied to your clipboard, ready to be pasted.

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