The Snipping Tool is Windows’ built-in screenshot app. In Windows 11 it also records the screen and can copy text from images. Here’s how to use it efficiently.
The fastest way: Win + Shift + S
Press Win + Shift + S. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top:
| Mode | Captures |
|---|---|
| Rectangle | Drag to select an area |
| Freeform | Draw any shape |
| Window | Click a window |
| Full screen | Everything on all screens |
The screenshot is copied to the clipboard — paste it straight into chat, email or a document with Ctrl + V. A notification also appears; click it to open the snip for editing.
Tip: In Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard, enable Use the Print Screen key to open screen capture so PrtScn does the same thing.
Edit and annotate
Open a snip (click the notification, or open the Snipping Tool app):
- Pen and highlighter for marking up.
- Crop to trim.
- Shapes (in recent versions) for arrows and boxes.
- Save with Ctrl + S (PNG, JPG or GIF), or Copy with Ctrl + C.
Where are screenshots saved?
In Windows 11, the Snipping Tool can automatically save screenshots to Pictures\Screenshots. Check Snipping Tool → Settings → Automatically save screenshots. Otherwise, snips are only on the clipboard until you save them.
Delayed screenshots
To capture menus or tooltips that disappear when you click:
- Open the Snipping Tool app.
- Set Delay (3, 5 or 10 seconds).
- Click New, open the menu you want, and wait for the capture.
Copy text from a screenshot (Text Actions)
In Windows 11’s Snipping Tool, after taking a snip, click Text actions. Windows recognizes the text in the image — you can copy all text or select part of it, and redact email addresses or phone numbers before sharing. Handy for error messages in dialogs that can’t be selected.
Record the screen
In Windows 11’s Snipping Tool:
- Switch to the video camera mode (or press Win + Shift + R on recent versions).
- Select an area and click Start.
- Click Stop, then preview and save as MP4.
Good for short how-to clips and bug reports. For longer recordings or recording a game, use the Xbox Game Bar (Win + G).
Other built-in screenshot shortcuts
| Shortcut | Result |
|---|---|
| PrtScn | Full screen to clipboard (or opens snipping, if configured) |
| Alt + PrtScn | Active window to clipboard |
| Win + PrtScn | Full screen saved to Pictures\Screenshots |
| Win + Shift + S | Snipping toolbar |
Screenshots over Remote Desktop
When working on a Windows VPS through RDP:
- Win + Shift + S on your own computer captures the RDP window like any other — the screenshot ends up on your local clipboard.
- Inside a full-screen RDP session, Windows key shortcuts may go to the remote machine depending on the RDP client’s keyboard setting (Apply Windows key combinations). Use the Snipping Tool app on your local machine, or exit full screen first.
Share safely
Before sending screenshots, check for passwords, IP addresses, API keys, customer data or account numbers. Use Text actions → Redact or the pen to cover sensitive details.
More Windows tips: customizing the taskbar and desktop and connecting to a Windows VPS with Remote Desktop. Need a Windows machine in the cloud? See our Windows VPS plans.