How to Take a Screenshot with the Snipping Tool on Microsoft Windows

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: March 15, 2024 Approved

Windows’ Snipping Tool makes it easy to capture a screenshot of your screen. We'll show you how to use the many features of the Snipping Tool to take a screenshot of any part of your desktop.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Taking a Screenshot

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1
Open the Snipping Tool. Click the “Start” button.” Type “Snipping Tool” in the search bar and open the application^{[1]
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- If you are using Windows 8, place your cursor in the lower right corner of your screen. Swipe up and select “Search.” Type “Snipping Tool” in the search bar and select the result listed as “Snipping Tool.”^{[2]
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- If you are using Windows 7 or Windows, click "Start". Select "All Programs", followed by "Accessories", then "Snipping Tool".^{[3]
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3
Choose a snip type from the drop-down menu that appears.
- “Free-form Snip:” Use your stylus or cursor to draw a custom shape around the item
- “Rectangular Snip:” Take a rectangular snip by clicking and dragging your cursor or stylus along and around the edge of the item
- “Window Snip:” Click on the window you want captured in the snip.
- “Full-screen Snip:” Snip the entire screen^{[4]
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Click down on your cursor and hold as you draw free-form around the object you want to capture.
The snip will open in the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window where you can edit, annotate, or share it^{[5]
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Click down on your cursor and drag your cursor to create a rectangle around the object .
The snip will open in the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window where you can edit, annotate, or share it^{[6]
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After selecting “Full-screen snip,” a screenshot of your entire screen is instantly captured. The snip will open in the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window where you can edit, annotate, or share it^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Snipping on a Time Delay in Windows 10

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Windows 10’s Snipping Tool has a new feature, called “Time Delay.” When you take a traditional snip, you don’t have any time to “set up” the shot, making it impossible to capture a screenshot of anything that requires a click from your mouse to open. The time delay feature gives you 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds to move your mouse and click a feature, such as a drop-down menu, before the snip is captured.
Options include: "Free-form snip", "Rectangular snip", "Window snip", or "Full-screen snip".
Normally when you select this an overlay instantly appears on your screen. However if you've selected a time delay the overlay will appear after 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds. When the delay is done, your overlay will appear, effectively freezing your screen and allowing you to take the screenshot you desire.
Click down on your cursor and hold as you draw free-form around the object you want to capture.
The snip will open in the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window where you can edit, annotate, or share it^{[9]
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Click down on your cursor and drag your cursor to create a rectangle around the object .
The snip will open in the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window where you can edit, annotate, or share it^{[10]
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After selecting “Full-screen snip,” a screenshot of your entire screen is instantly captured. The snip will open in the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window where you can edit, annotate, or share it.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Capturing Cursor-Activated Menus in Windows 7, 8 and Vista

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Windows 8, 7, and Vista allows users to capture cursor-activated objects too. To begin, click “Start”, followed by “All Programs”, “Accessories”, and finally “Snipping Tool”.^{[12]
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Pressing Esc will remove the overlay from the screen. The Snipping Tool will remain visible.^{[13]
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The overlay will appear again and the screen will freeze. The Snipping Tool window will remain visible.^{[15]
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Options include: “Free-form snip”, “Rectangular snip”, “Window snip”, and “Full-screen Snip”.^{[16]
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Click down on your cursor and hold as you draw free-form around the object you want to capture.
Once captured, the snip will open in the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window.^{[17]
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Click down on your cursor and drag your cursor around the object to create a rectangle.
Once captured, the snip will open in the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window.^{[18]
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After selecting “Full-screen snip,” the screenshot is instantly captured. Once captured, the snip will open in the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window.^{[20]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Annotating, Saving, and Sharing the Snip

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Windows’ Snipping Tool includes a pen. You can use the pen to write freeform on your snip.
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Select a pen type. Options include:
- ”Red Pen”
- ”Blue Pen”
- ”Black Pen”
- ”Custom Pen”.
From the drop down menu, select “Customize”. This option allows you to alter the pen’s color, thickness, and tip.
5
Click on the highlighter icon and then highlight the snip. It is located next to the pen icon. You may use the highlighter to draw attention to important aspects of your snip.
- This tool is not customizable.
Hold as you move the eraser over any previous annotations you want to remove.^{[21]
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Clicking this button will launch your default mail-client and automatically attach the snip to the email.^{[23]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How do I create a snipping tool shortcut on my desktop?

Alex Marchuk

Community Answer

Right click the windows icon, click search, type "Snipping" - the tool will appear. Right click the snipping tool icon and choose "Pin to Start". You can now drag the snipping tool icon from your start menu onto your desktop.

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Question

I can't paste the snipping tool in an email?

Top Source

Community Answer

Don't paste directly in email. Just snip and save as an image and you can easily upload the image with an attachment.

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How can I create this red rectangular mark used in your presentation?

Sylvia Saltaformajo

Community Answer

You need an image editor to do this. The easiest option for a Windows user is MS Paint. However, if you need extra editing tools, you can use other screenshot software with embedded draw options. It's not possible using the Snipping tool - you can only draw lines and highlight things in it.

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Tips

To turn off the white overlay, launch the snipping tool and select "Options". Uncheck the box next to "Show screen overlay when Snipping Tool is active".

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On many laptops, the "Print Screen" key is combined with another key. You will have to press Fn or Function to access it.

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You can save the snip as a JPEG, HTML, PNG, or GIF.

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