How to Take a Screenshot on Windows PC Using the Snipping Tool

Taking a screenshot over a mobile device is easy. Smartphones mostly have inbuilt command buttons/set-ups allowing you to screenshot anything in seconds with a combination of buttons. However, when it comes to taking a screenshot on Windows PC, you might consider it a daunting task.

Even the most tech-savvy users who possess every skill to master the art of technology, such as individuals who can start a website free of cost or know how to develop an app, fail to take screenshots on a Windows PC.

The first thing you must know is there are several methods to take screenshots using a Windows PC. Sometimes, it involves using the Print Screen (PrtScr) key and while other cases call for the Snipping Tool. This article will walk you through the steps to take screenshots using the Windows Snipping Tool.

How to Use the Snipping Tool for Taking Screenshots

In some cases, you can take a screen snapshot to create a copy of whatever you have open on the screen, which is what the Snipping Tool does. You have the option to use it, save it, and share movie/book reviews, recipes, methods, errors, and news stories. You can capture the entire screen or a small part of it. A user can also email the snip via the Snipping Tool and save it and add notes.

How to Use the Snipping Tool for Taking Screenshots

Here are some of the snips you can capture:

  • Free-Form Snip: Draw an abstract/free form shape around a page or object.
  • Full-Screen Snip: Capture and snip the entire screen.
  • Rectangular Snip: Use the cursor to form a rectangle around an object.
  • Window Snip: Select a window, similar to a dialog box or browser window that you wish to capture.

After you capture a snip, you can find a copy in the Snipping Tool window. You can save, annotate, or share the snip from there. The agenda below shows how you can use the Snipping Tool.

How to Open Snipping Tool

on Windows 7

Select on the ‘Start Button‘ and proceed to type ‘Snipping Tool‘ in the search box given on the taskbar. Lastly, select the ‘Snipping Tool‘ from the given results list.

how to open snipping tool on windows 7

on Windows RT 8.1 and Windows 8.1

Drag your cursor/swipe in from the screen’s right edge and click on ‘Search.’ If you are using a mouse instead, point towards the lower-right screen corner, drag the mouse cursor upwards, and then tap on ‘Search.’ Next, type ‘snipping tool’ in the search box, and from the results list, select the ‘Snipping Tool‘.

how to open snipping tool on windows 8 and 8.1

on Windows 10

Click on the ‘Start‘ button, type, and search ‘Snipping Tool’ in the search box given on the taskbar. Proceed to select the ‘snipping tool’ from the result list.

How to Open Snipping Tool on Windows 10

How to Take A Screenshot

You probably know by now taking a screenshot on a Windows PC is not as hard as people think. It is quite simple. Just select on ‘mode‘ in the snipping tool (for older versions, tap the arrow placed next to the ‘new‘ button), pick the kind of snip you want your screenshot to be, and then select the screen area you wish to capture. And you’re good to go!

How to Take A Screenshot of Menu on PC

Step 1: After you open the snipping tool, open the kind of menu you want a snapshot of. If you are using Windows 7, press the ‘Esc‘ before opening the menu.)

Step 2: Press on the ‘Ctrl + PrtScn‘ keys. This allows you to take a snapshot of the open menu and the entire screen included.

Step 3: Tap on ‘Mode‘ (for older versions, click the arrow next to the ‘new’ button), choose the type of snip you want, and then select the screen area you want to capture.

How to Annotate a Snip

Did you know after you capture a snapshot, you can draw or write over or around it by clicking the highlighter or pen buttons? To erase the lines, select the ‘Eraser‘ to remove the lines you have drawn.

How to Save a Snip

Step 1: After capturing a snip, select the ‘Save Snip‘ option.

Step 2: Type a file name, location, type in the ‘Save As‘ box, and finally, tap on ‘Save.’

How to Remove the URL

While taking a screenshot from the Windows browser and saving it as an HTML file, the URL will appear beneath the snip. You can hide the URL by:

Step 1: Selecting the ‘Options‘ button from the Snipping Tool.

Step 2: Clearing the ‘Include URL below snips (HTML only)‘ checkbox in the Snipping Tools Options box and clicking on ‘OK.’

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Conclusion

Taking a screenshot on your Windows PC has never been made easier, be able to capture the right kind of snip, annotate and save it reading this article.