Do you need to capture a screenshot of a specific area on the screen of your personal computer in a hurry? You can quickly use Windows’ built-in Snipping Tool. This program gives you the option of taking screenshots in several different forms and then editing them as you see fit. Here is everything you need to understand how to use Snipping tool app on Windows and Mac.
How to use the Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool app has the following controls when used with a mouse and keyboard:
- Press the Windows logo key, followed by Shift and S, to open snipping tool. While you choose a screen region to capture, the background will fade slightly.
- A rectangular will be assumed unless otherwise specified. Using the controls on the toolbar, you can switch between four different snipping modes: rectangular, window, full-screen, and free form.
- The screenshot is captured and pasted into the clipboard without any additional action on your part. After taking a screenshot, a notification will display; clicking this will provide additional editing tools.
To employ the Snipping Tool app with only a mouse:
- To open the Snipping Tool, go to the Start menu, type snipping tool into the search menu bar, and then select it from the list of available options.
- To make a new screenshot, select the New option.
- Follow steps 2 and 3 as listed above.
Comprehending the Snipping Tool App’s User Interface
The functions of each key icon and tab on a Windows and Mac snipping tool are described here.
New
Available on both operating systems. It starts the process to capture screenshots using the mode that was chosen. If you don’t change the mode from settings, it will always open in the same mode as default.
Mode
Exclusive to Windows 10’s Snipping Tool, it allows you to modify the screenshot’s output settings.
Delay
In Windows 10, a new feature called “Delay” enables you to pause the screen capture for upward to 5 seconds. Choose an option from the pull-down box to change the time that passes between each screenshot taken.
Cancel
If you want to stop taking screenshots, just click the “Cancel” button. Clicking the ESC option on your keyboard may provide the same result.
Options
By using the app’s settings screen, you can customize it to your preferences.
Snipping on a Time Delay in Windows 10
Step 1
Launch the Snipping Tool and adjust the delay until you’re ready to take the snapshot. The “Time Delay” function is a new addition to the Snipping Tool in Windows 10.
You can’t snap a screenshot of anything that involves a mouse click since you don’t have time to “set up” the shot before taking a standard snip. The time delay function allows you to click a drop-down menu or other features, such as using your mouse, and then have 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds before the clip.
Step 2
A drop-down menu will appear; select “Delay” and click the arrow.
Step 3
To do this, select a delay time of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds.
Step 4
Choose “New” and then click the down arrow that appears.
Step 5
Make your selection from the drop-down menu to select a snip format. You can choose between a free-form snip, a rectangular snip, a window snip, and a full-screen snip.
Step 6
Select the “New” option. When you click this, “show screen overlay” on your screen immediately. You can display the overlay immediately or after 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 seconds. After the timer runs out, your overlay will load, effectively freezing the screen so you can take a snapshot.
Step 7
Take a rectangle and place it around the thing you wish to capture. To make a rectangle around the item, click and drag the pointer.
Step 8
To cut, you must first release the pointer. When you click on the snip, the Snipping Tool’s Mark-up Window will open so you may modify, edit, or share the snippet.
How to use snipping tool shortcut on Mac laptop/PC
The snipping tool shortcut can take screenshots even if you don’t have a Windows laptop or PC. If you own a Mac or PC and want to know how to take a screenshot of the entire screen, a window, or a selected region, continue reading.
Snipping Tool Shortcut to Take a Screenshot
You can access this menu by pressing Command + Shift + 3 or Command + Shift + 5. To capture a specific screen region, use Command+Shift+5 while pressing the former to capture the whole screen. A small thumbnail will display in the upper right corner when you take a screenshot.
The screenshot will be saved to your desktop with the default filename of “Screen Shot [date] at [time].png.” If you’re using macOS Mojave or later, you can get the option to alter the default location from within the Screenshot tool by selecting it from the menu. The alternative is to drag the thumbnail to the required location.
How to Change the Ink Color of the Snipping Tool in Windows 10
If you’d like to alter the ink color used by the Snipping Tool, select the Options menu item before you begin using it.
- The screen will display the Snipping Tool Options dialog box.
- The Ink Color Picker can be accessed from the bottom of the snipping tool window.
- Choose your preferred color from the available options in the drop-down menu.
- Then, after taking your snips, ensure the box labeled “Show selected ink” is checked.
- When you are finished making changes, click the Save button.
How to Annotate a Snip
You can draw or type around the captured area when you take a screenshot. Select either the pen icon or the highlighter from the options provided. Just press the “Erase” key on your keyboard to undo your changes.
How to Remove the URL
The URL is saved alongside the screenshot when it is saved as an “HTML” file. However, if you would rather not have the URL shown, the following instructions should be followed.
- To adjust the settings for the Snipping Tool, select it and then click the Options button.
- The Snipping Tool Settings dialog box will show up. To disable this feature, deselect the box labeled “Include URL below snips” (HTML only).
- To save the changes, click OK.
Useful Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows Snipping Tool
You may open the Snipping Tool using a keyboard shortcut, and there are other shortcuts for using its many functions. Snipping Tool has several handy keyboard shortcuts, some of which are shown here.
Ctrl+N: You can take a new screenshot by pressing Ctrl+N.
Ctrl+S: You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+S to save the current screenshot to the folder and file type you choose.
Ctrl+C: When you press Ctrl+C, the current screenshot is copied to the clipboard.
Ctrl+P: By selecting this option, you can print your screenshot.
The Final Thoughts
Taking a screenshot on Mac or Windows is a piece of cake, and you don’t require any additional software. If you have ever questioned how to use snipping tool, the approaches explained in this article should simplify the process and allow you to accomplish more in a shorter amount of time.
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