How to Use Snipping Tool: A Simple Guide for Beginners

If you’ve ever wondered how to use Snipping Tool, you’ve come to the right place! This easy-to-use tool helps you take screenshots on your computer, whether it’s for work, school, or personal use. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from opening the tool to saving and sharing your captures. Let’s get started and make screenshots easy!
The Snipping Tool is built right into Windows, making it a handy tool for all your screenshot needs. It’s simple, fast, and doesn’t require extra software. Whether you want to capture a small part of your screen or take a full screenshot, knowing how to use Snipping Tool will save you time and effort. Let’s explore how you can use it like a pro!
What is Snipping Tool and How to Use It on Your PC
The Snipping Tool is a built-in program in Windows that allows you to take screenshots of your screen. It’s super helpful when you want to capture anything on your screen—whether it’s an image, text, or an entire webpage. The tool is easy to find and use, and best of all, you don’t need to download anything extra.
To get started, simply search for “Snipping Tool” in your Start menu and open the app. Once it’s open, you’ll see different options for taking screenshotsSnipping Tool can capture a part of your screen or the whole screen. You can save the image or copy it to paste it anywhere, such as in an email, a document, or a social media post. It’s fast, and it’s free!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Snipping Tool for Beginners

If you’re a beginner, don’t worry! Using Snipping Tool is very simple. Let’s go over the steps you need to follow.
- Open Snipping Tool
Look for the Cutting Device in the Beginning menu and open it. - Select the Type of Snip
You can choose between different snip options: free-form, rectangular, window, and full-screen. - Capture the Screenshot
After selecting your snip type, click and drag your mouse to capture the area you want. - Save or Share the Image
You can now save your screenshot by clicking on the “File” menu and selecting “Save As.” You can also copy the image to paste it elsewhere.
By following these easy steps, you’ll be able to capture anything on your screen quickly!
The Different Ways to Capture Screens with Snipping Tool
One of the best features of Snipping Tool is the ability to capture different parts of your screen. Here’s a breakdown of the various ways you can use this tool to take screenshots.
- Free-Form Snip
This option allows you to draw a shape around the area you want to capture. It’s useful for selecting custom shapes like circles or irregular sections of your screen. - Rectangular Snip
This option helps you capture a rectangular area. Simply click and drag the mouse to select the area you want to screenshot. - Window Snip
You can capture an entire window by selecting it. This is ideal when you want to grab the whole window, such as a browser or program. - Full-Screen Snip
This captures the entire screen, which is great when you want to screenshot everything that’s visible.
Each option gives you flexibility, whether you’re grabbing a part of the screen or the entire thing.
How to Save and Share Your Snipping Tool Captures Quickly
After you’ve taken a screenshot with Snipping Tool, saving and sharing it is a breeze. This part of the process is simple but essential to know.
- Saving Your Screenshot
To save the image, click on the “File” option and choose “Save As.” You can select the location on your computer where you want to store the image. - Sharing Your Screenshot
After saving, you can share your screenshot. You can email it, upload it to social media, or attach it to a document. It’s easy to copy and paste the image into messages or other applications too.
By following these steps, your screenshots are ready to be used for any purpose you have in mind, whether it’s sharing with friends or using it in a work project.
Tips for Sharing Snipping Tool Screenshots
- Send your screenshots via email or messaging apps
Attach images directly to presentations or documents
How to Use Snipping Tool for Quick Note-Taking and Annotation

Snipping Tool isn’t just for taking pictures of your screen. It can also be useful for quickly jotting down notes and making annotations on your screenshots. Here’s how to do it.
- Use the “Pen” Tool
After capturing a screenshot, you can use the pen tool to draw or write notes on the image. It’s great for highlighting important parts or adding extra comments. - Highlight Text
You can use the highlighter tool to make certain parts of the screenshot stand out. This is helpful when you want to emphasize a specific area. - Use the Eraser Tool
It’s that easy to edit your screenshots.
Quick Editing and Annotation Tips
- Use a bright color for important notes
- Keep your annotations clear and simple for easy understanding
- Make sure to save your changes before sharing the edited screenshot
By using Snipping Tool for both screenshots and quick annotations, you can save time and stay organized.
How to Customize Snipping Tool for Better Screenshots
One of the great things about Snipping Tool is its flexibility and customization options. While it’s simple to use right out of the box, you can make small adjustments to make your screenshots even more useful.
- Change the Capture Delay
By default, Snipping Tool takes a screenshot immediately after you click the “New” button. But did you know you can set a delay? If you need a few extra seconds to prepare something on your screen, simply go to “Options” and set a delay time. This is perfect when you want to capture a dropdown menu or other items that take time to appear. - Set Keyboard Shortcuts
You can set keyboard shortcuts to make taking screenshots even faster. This allows you to capture a screenshot without needing to open the Snipping Tool every time. For example, pressing the “Windows + Shift + S” keys can quickly start a snip, making the process faster and more efficient. - Customize the Background Color
Snipping Tool also allows you to change the background color of the tool itself. While it doesn’t offer advanced customization like other editing tools, this small feature can make the interface easier on your eyes.
Customizing Snipping Tool for your specific needs helps you be more efficient and saves time. By making these simple adjustments, you’ll be able to take better screenshots more quickly.
Snipping Tool vs. Other Screenshot Tools: Why It’s the Best

When it comes to taking screenshots, Snipping Tool is one of the simplest and most accessible options available. However, there are several other screenshot tools out there. So, why choose Snipping Tool over others?
- It’s Built Into Windows
One of the biggest advantages of Snipping Tool is that it’s already installed on your Windows computer. Unlike other tools, you don’t need to download anything extra. You can start using it right away, which saves time and effort. - Simple and User-Friendly
Snipping Tool is designed to be easy for everyone to use. While other tools may have complicated interfaces or additional features, Snipping Tool focuses on simplicity. It’s perfect for beginners and casual users who just need to capture quick screenshots without the hassle. - No Ads or Annoying Pop-ups
Unlike many third-party screenshot tools, Snipping Tool is free of ads and pop-ups. You can take screenshots without any distractions or interruptions, making it a smooth experience. - Perfect for Basic Needs
If you just need to take screenshots for personal use or light work tasks, Snipping Tool is all you need. It’s easy to open, capture images, and save them without needing advanced editing options.
In short, Snipping Tool stands out because it’s quick, free, and simple. While other tools may offer extra features, Snipping Tool gets the job done efficiently.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Snipping Tool
While Snipping Tool is easy to use, sometimes you might run into a few problems. If it stops working, here are some common issues and how to fix them.
- Snipping Tool Won’t Open
If Snipping Tool won’t open, try restarting your computer. If that doesn’t work, make sure your Windows is up-to-date. You can check for updates by going to “Settings” and selecting “Update & Security.” Sometimes, reinstalling Snipping Tool from the Microsoft Store can also fix the problem. - Delayed Screenshot Capture
If there’s a delay when you take a screenshot, it could be due to system performance issues. Close unnecessary programs to free up memory, or try reducing the delay time in the Snipping Tool’s options. This can help make the tool more responsive. - Unable to Save Screenshots
If you can’t save your screenshot, check the location where you’re trying to save it. Make sure you have permission to save in that folder. You can also try saving the file to a different location, such as your desktop. - Snipping Tool Freezing
If the tool freezes, it could be due to an issue with your computer’s hardware or software. Try running the built-in “Troubleshooter” for Windows apps by going to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. This will check for any system errors that may be causing problems.
By understanding and troubleshooting common problems, you can ensure that Snipping Tool works smoothly every time you need it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, how to use Snipping Tool is a quick and easy process that everyone can learn. Whether you need to capture a small section of your screen, save a webpage, or annotate a screenshot, Snipping Tool is a great choice. It’s built into Windows, so you don’t need to download anything extra, and it’s simple to use, even for beginners.
So, next time you need to take a screenshot, remember how easy Snipping Tool makes it. You can quickly capture what you need, save it, and share it with others. It’s a handy tool that helps make work, school, and personal tasks much easier. Don’t forget to customize it to fit your needs for an even better experience!
FAQs
Q: How do I open Snipping Tool?
A: To open Snipping Tool, just search for it in your Start menu. Click on the application to send off it.
Q: Can I capture an entire webpage with Snipping Tool?
A: Yes, you can capture a webpage by using the “Window Snip” option. Just scroll down and take multiple snips if the page is too long.
Q: Does Snipping Tool work on all versions of Windows?
A: Snipping Tool works on Windows 7, 8, and 10.On Windows 11, it has been supplanted with the “Clip and Sketch” application.
Q: Can I edit my screenshot in Snipping Tool?
A: Yes, you can use basic tools like the pen, highlighter, and eraser to add simple annotations.
Q: How do I save a screenshot with Snipping Tool?
A: After taking a screenshot, click “File” and select “Save As” to choose a location to save your image.