A Quick Guide to the Snipping Tool and Screen Capture Options on Windows

Screen capture is rendered easy by Windows, and one of the finest built-in tools is the Snipping Tool. This is a free, simple to operate system that may be utilized to record video or take a part of your screen.

What is the Snipping Tool?

Users of the Snipping Tool may record screenshots of : 

• The whole screen 

• A specific window

• A rectangular area

• An flexible option

Screenshots can be copied to the clipboard and pasted into applications like Word, Paint, or email, or they can be saved in the Pictures > Screenshots folder.

How to Use It

1. Press Windows + Shift + S to open the snip toolbar.
2. Choose your snip type (rectangular, free-form, etc.).
3. Select the screen area.
4. Paste the screenshot using Ctrl + V into any app.

To access full features like delayed capture and saving options, open Snipping Tool from the Start menu.

Advanced Features

Recent updates to the Snipping Tool offer powerful extras:

• Screen Recording: Record your screen and save as MP4.
• Delayed Snipping: Set a timer (3, 5, or 10 seconds).
• Edit & Annotate: Use pens and highlighters to mark your screenshot.
• OCR Text Extraction: Extract text from images.
• Clipboard Integration: Automatically copies snips for quick pasting.

Make sure your Windows is updated to access all features.

Alternative Tools

If you're looking for more features, try these:

1. Snip & Sketch – Updated version of Snipping Tool.
2. Lightshot – Lightweight and easy to use with instant sharing.
3. Greenshot – Great for editing and supports OCR.
4. ShareX – Advanced tool for recording, automation, GIFs, and more.
5. Game Bar (Windows + G) – Built-in tool for recording gameplay and screen.

Best Screen Recording Tools

Need to record your screen? Try these:

• Xbox Game Bar – Built-in for simple recording.
• OBS Studio – Powerful and free for advanced users.
• ShareX – Feature-rich and open-source.
• Bandicam – Lightweight, perfect for games and devices.
• Camtasia – Premium software with advanced editing.

Conclusion

Windows offers great tools like Snipping Tool and Xbox Game Bar for screenshots and screen recordings. For more advanced needs, third-party apps like OBS Studio, ShareX, and Camtasia offer extended features for editing, OCR, and video production.

Choose the tool that fits your task—whether it's a quick screenshot, a full tutorial, or a professional video.