How to take screenshot with Snipping Tool on Windows 11

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On Windows 11 and depending on the device, you can take screenshots of a specific region of the screen or active window in several ways, but using the Snipping Tool is perhaps the easiest way to complete the task.

The Snipping Tool is a new app for Windows 11 that replaces both the legacy Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch apps. The new version combines the two previous applications into a modern experience that looks similar to the old Snipping Tool and integrates the best features of Snip & Sketch.

This guide will teach you how to configure and use the Snipping Tool to take screenshots on Windows 11.

Take screenshots on Windows 11

On Windows 11, the Snipping Tool app lets you take screenshots in two ways. You can bring up the snipping menu with the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut or open the app and use the tool to create a capture.

To take a screenshot with Snipping Tool:

1. Open Start on Windows 11.

2. Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.

3. Use the “Snipping Mode” drop-down menu and select the type of screenshot to take on Windows 11 –  For example, Window mode.

   

   Snipping mode

   • Rectangle mode: Drag the mouse cursor around an object to form a rectangle capture.
   • Window mode: Select a window, such as a browser window or dialog box to capture.
   • Full-screen mode: Captures the entire screen.
   • Free-form mode: Draw a free-form shape around an object.

4. (Optional) Use the Time before snip drop-down menu to choose whether to delay (none, 3, 5, or 10 seconds) the capture as you click the snipping button.

5. Click the New button.

   

   New snip

6. Select the region to capture, depending on the selected snipping mode.

7. (Optional) Use the Image Crop tool to crop and resize the screenshot.

8. (Optional) Use the Ballpoint pen, Highlighter, or Touch Writing tools to annotate the image as necessary.

   

   Snipping Tool cropping

9. Click the Save button in the top-right corner.

10. Use the “Save as type” drop-down menu to select the image format, including JPG, PNG, or GIF.

11. Click the Save button.

Alternatively, you can also use the Copy button to copy the screenshot to the clipboard to paste it into a document. Or you can use the Share button to share the capture with other people via email or social app.

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While the app is open or pinned to the Taskbar, you can also right-click the button to open another instance of the app or take more screenshots.

You can also configure various settings of the Snipping Tool experience to make it a little easier to take screenshots.

To configure the Snipping Tool settings:

1. Open Start on Windows 11.

2. Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.

3. Click the menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner and select the Settings option.

   

   Snipping Tool menu option

4. Change the Snipping Tool settings:

   • Auto copy to clipboard: Updates the clipboard automatically when editing the capture.
   • Save snips: Prompt you to save the screenshot when closing the app.
   • Multiple windows: Opens a new window for each image capture instead of replacing them.
   • Snip outline: Automatically adds borders to each snip. The feature also includes an option to change the color and thickness of the outline.

   

   Snipping Tool options

Once you complete the steps, the Snipping Tool will reflect the settings you configured.

To switch between the light and dark color theme for the Snipping Tool:

1. Open Start on Windows 11.

2. Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.

3. Click the menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner and select the Settings option.

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   Snipping Tool menu option

4. Under the “Appearance” section, select the App Theme setting.

5. Select the Snipping Tool theme, including Light, Dark, or Use system setting.

   

   Snipping Tool color mode

After you complete the steps, the app will switch to the color theme you specified.

To use the Print button instead of the Windows key combo to bring up the snipping menu:

1. Open Start on Windows 11.

2. Search for Snipping Tool and click the top result to open the app.

3. Click the menu (three-dotted) button in the top-right corner and select the Settings option.

   

   Snipping Tool menu option

4. Under the “Shortcut” section, click the Change in settings option for the Print Screen shortcut setting.

   

   Print Screen shortcut

5. Turn on the Use the Print screen button to open screen snipping toggle switch.

   

   Windows 11 print screen button setting

Once you complete the steps, you can press the Print Screen button instead of the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut to quickly take a screenshot on Windows 11.