Windows' built-in Snipping Tool allows users to take screenshots, or snips, of the whole or specific part of the screen. The captured screenshot will appear in the Mark-up window. From this window, users can save screenshots, copy and paste them, send them via email, or add notes to them. You can even take a screenshot of the menu that disappears after being clicked. Learn how to use the Snipping Tool in Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Taking Screenshots
Step 1. Open the Snipping Tool
Click the Start button, then enter the keyword "Snipping Tool" in the search bar. After that, open the application.
- If you're using Windows 8, place your cursor in the lower-right corner of the screen, then scroll down and select Search. Enter the keyword "Snipping Tool" in the search bar, and select Snipping Tool from the search results.
- If you are using Windows 7, click the Start button, then select "All Programs", and select the "Accessories" folder. From that folder, select "Snipping Tool".
Step 2. Click the down arrow next to "New"
Step 3. Select the snip type from the drop-down menu that appears
- “Free-form Snip:” Use the cursor or pen to draw a special shape around the item.
- "Rectangular Snip": Create a box snip by clicking and dragging the cursor/pen around the corner of the object.
- "Window Snip": Click the window you want to capture.
- "Full-screen Snip": Capture the entire screen.
Step 4. Click "New"
Step 5. Draw freely around the object you want to create
Click the cursor, then hold it while you draw around the object.
Step 6. Release the cursor to take a screenshot
The snip will open in the Mark-up Window window. In this window, you can edit, take notes, or share screenshots.
Step 7. Create a box shape around the object you want to create
Click the cursor, then hold it while you draw around the object.
Step 8. Release the cursor to take a screenshot
The snip will open in the Mark-up Window window. In this window, you can edit, take notes, or share screenshots.
Step 9. Click the window you want to capture
Step 10. Release the cursor or pen to take a screenshot
Step 11. Make a full screenshot
After selecting Full-screen Snip, the entire screen will be captured immediately. The snip will open in the Mark-up Window window. In this window, you can edit, take notes, or share screenshots.
Method 2 of 4: Creating a Paused Snip in Windows 10
Step 1. Open the Snipping Tool, then set the lag time
The Snipping Tool in Windows 10 provides a new feature, namely "Time Delay". When taking a regular snip, you can't set the capture time making it difficult for you to take screenshots of windows that require mouse clicks. The time delay feature allows you to pause 1 to 5 seconds before the snip is captured so you can access what you need (such as drop-down menus) first.
Step 2. Click the down arrow next to "Delay"
Step 3. Set the delay time to “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, or “5” seconds
Step 4. Click the down arrow next to "New"
Step 5. Select the snip type
Available options include: "Free-form snip", "Rectangular snip", "Window snip", or "Full-screen snip".
Step 6. Click "New"
Generally, when you click on this option, you will see an overlay on the screen. However, if you use the delay feature, the overlay will appear 1-5 seconds after clicking New. Once the overlay appears, the screen will freeze and you can take screenshots at will.
Step 7. Draw freely around the object you want to create
Click the cursor, then hold it while you draw around the object.
Step 8. Release the cursor to take a screenshot
The snip will open in the Mark-up Window window. In this window, you can edit, take notes, or share screenshots.
Step 9. Create a box shape around the object you want to create
Click the cursor, then hold it while you draw around the object.
Step 10. Release the cursor to take a screenshot
The snip will open in the Mark-up Window window. In this window, you can edit, take notes, or share screenshots.
Step 11. Click the window you want to capture
Step 12. Release the cursor to take a screenshot
Step 13. Make a full screenshot
After selecting Full-screen Snip, the entire screen will be captured immediately. The snip will open in the Mark-up Window window. In this window, you can edit, take notes, or share screenshots.
Method 3 of 4: Capturing Activated Menu via Cursor in Windows 7, 8, and Vista
Step 1. Open the Snipping Tool
Windows 8, 7, and Vista also let you retrieve menus that are activated by cursor. To get started, click the Start button, followed by "All Programs" > "Accessories" > "Snipping Tool".
Step 2. Press Esc to disable the overlay from the screen
The Snipping Tool will still appear.
Step 3. Open the menu you want to capture
Step 4. Press Ctrl+ PrtScn to open the screen capture function.
The overlay will reappear, and the screen will freeze. The Snipping Tool window will remain active.
Step 5. Click the down arrow next to "New"
Step 6. Select the snip type
Available options include: "Free-form snip", "Rectangular snip", "Window snip", or "Full-screen snip".
Step 7. Click "New"
Step 8. Draw freely around the object you want to create
Click the cursor, then hold it while you draw around the object.
Step 9. Release the cursor to take a screenshot
The snip will open in the Mark-up Window window.
Step 10. Create a box shape around the object you want to create
Click the cursor, then hold it while you draw around the object.
Step 11. Release the cursor to take a screenshot
The snip will open in the Mark-up Window window.
Step 12. Click the window you want to capture
Step 13. Release the cursor or pen to take a screenshot
Step 14. Take a full screenshot
After selecting Full-screen Snip, the entire screen will be captured immediately. The snip will open in the Mark-up Window window.
Method 4 of 4: Annotating, Saving and Sharing Snips
Step 1. Write down your snip
The Snipping Tool provides a pen that you can use to write on the snip.
Step 2. Click the pen icon
Step 3. Select the pen type
Here's a list of available pens:
- "Red Pen"
- "Blue Pen"
- "Black Pen"
- "Custom Pen".
Step 4. Adjust the pen
From the drop-down menu, select Customize. This option allows you to change the color, thickness, and tip of the pen.
Step 5. Click the highlighter icon next to the pen icon, then mark snip
Use this tool to highlight important parts of a screenshot.
This tool is not customizable
Step 6. Click the eraser icon, then erase your notes
Hold down the cursor as you slide it over the notes you've created.
Step 7. Click the “Save Snip” button to save the snip
Step 8. Name the snip, then specify the storage location
Step 9. Click “Save.”
Step 10. Select Send Snip to send the screenshot via email
After clicking the button, the built-in email client will open, and your screenshot will be automatically attached as an attachment.
Step 11. Enter your email address, then click "Send"
Tips
- To disable white overlay, open the Snipping Tool, then click Options and uncheck the "Show screen overlay when Snipping Tool is active" option.
- On some laptops, the Print Screen button is combined with other buttons. Press the Fn or Function key to access it.
- You can save the snip as a JPEG, HTML, PNG, or-g.webp" />
