If you’re on a Windows computer and need a quick, reliable way to capture screenshots, the Windows Snipping Tool is a fantastic solution. But instead of navigating through menus every time, did you know you can use the Windows snipping tool shortcut to make it even faster?
Using these shortcuts can save you time and make capturing your screen much simpler, whether you’re saving a quick note, grabbing an image, or documenting a process.Here’s a quick, handy table to help you start using the Windows Snipping Tool with shortcuts right away.
Windows Snipping Tool Shortcut Table
| Action | Shortcut Key Combination | Description |
| Open Snipping Tool | Windows + Shift + S | Launches the tool directly in “Rectangular Snip” mode. |
| Rectangular Snip | Windows + Shift + S + select | Capture a rectangular section of the screen. |
| Freeform Snip | Alt + M (within Snipping Tool) | Choose “Freeform Snip” mode to capture any shape. |
| Window Snip | Alt + M + select window | Select and capture an entire active window. |
| Full-Screen Snip | Print Screen | Takes a screenshot of the full screen and saves to clipboard. |
| Copy Snip to Clipboard | Ctrl + C | After taking a snip, copy it directly to the clipboard. |
| Save Snip | Ctrl + S | Open the “Save” dialog box to save the snip as an image. |
| Delay Snip by 1-5 seconds | Alt + D | Delay the snip for a few seconds, useful for capturing pop-ups or menus. |
| Cancel Snip | Esc | Cancels the snip mode and returns to the main Snipping Tool window. |
| Multiple Snips in One Session | Use Tool without closing it | Keep the tool open and take several snips without restarting. |
This table is designed to be a quick reference so you can easily find and use each shortcut. Now, let’s go a bit deeper into how each of these shortcuts can help you capture your screen quickly and easily.
How to Open the Snipping Tool Quickly
Getting the Snipping Tool open and ready for action is fast and easy with shortcuts. Here are the simplest ways to launch it on your Windows computer: More tips for managing the separate parts of the content can be found in Downloading YouTube Videos on Mac– More Facts Than Fiction.
1. Use the Shortcut Key: Windows + Shift + S
The fastest way to open the Snipping Tool is by pressing Windows + Shift + S on your keyboard. This instantly activates the tool, starting it in Rectangular Snip mode. You’ll see your screen dim slightly and a toolbar will appear at the top, allowing you to pick from different snip modes.
2. Pin the Snipping Tool to the Taskbar
For easy access, you can pin the Snipping Tool to your taskbar:
- Type “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar.
- Right-click on the Snipping Tool app.
- Select “Pin to taskbar.”
This will add it to the taskbar at the bottom of your screen so you can open it with a single click whenever you need it.
3. Create a Desktop Shortcut
To open the Snipping Tool even faster, create a shortcut on your desktop:
- You can also directly search in the Windows search bar and find the Snipping Tool easily.
- Right-click and select “Open file location.”
- Right-click the Snipping Tool icon and choose “Send to” > “Desktop (create shortcut).”
Now, you can double-click the icon on your desktop whenever you need to capture something quickly.
4. Use the Run Command (Windows + R)
Another quick way to open the Snipping Tool without navigating through menus is to:
- Click Windows + R and it should up the dialog box for the run tool in Windows.
- Type snipping tool and press Enter.
This will launch the Snipping Tool right away, saving you time on each capture.
Using any of these methods, you can access the Snipping Tool quickly and start capturing screenshots right when you need them.
Snipping Tool Shortcuts for Different Capture Modes
The Windows Snipping Tool lets you capture specific parts of your screen using several different modes. Each mode is designed for a particular type of screenshot, and using the right shortcuts can help you capture exactly what you need in no time.
1. Rectangular Snip
- Shortcut: Windows + Shift + S
- Description: The default mode when opening the Snipping Tool with Windows + Shift + S, Rectangular Snip lets you click and drag to capture a rectangular portion of your screen. Perfect for capturing images, text, or any specific part of your screen.
2. Freeform Snip
- Shortcut: Alt + M (once the Snipping Tool is open)
- Description: This mode allows you to draw a freeform shape around the part of the screen you want to capture. Use this for non-standard shapes when you don’t want a rectangular or square snip. After pressing Alt + M, choose Free Form Snip with your mouse.
3. Window Snip
- Shortcut: Alt + M (within Snipping Tool) + click on the window
- Description: This mode captures the active window you select. If you’re working with multiple windows or applications, this is a quick way to capture just the content in one of them.
4. Full-Screen Snip
- Shortcut: Print Screen key
- Description: This captures the entire screen, which is ideal for saving your full desktop layout or grabbing everything on-screen without any cropping.
How to Choose a Mode Quickly
Once you’ve launched the Snipping Tool with Windows + Shift + S, the toolbar at the top lets you toggle between Rectangular, Freeform, Window, and Full-Screen Snip modes. Simply click the desired mode, then drag or click to capture. This makes it super easy to switch modes without leaving the tool.
Using these shortcuts, you can capture any part of your screen in the exact format you need. Now, let’s look at additional shortcuts for Copying, Saving, and Sharing Your Snips to make the most of your screenshots.
Copy, Save, and Share Your Snips with Shortcuts
After you capture a snip, the Windows Snipping Tool provides a few easy shortcuts to help you copy, save, and share your screenshots. Here’s how you can make the most of these options to quickly use your screenshots wherever you need them.
1. Copy Snip to Clipboard
- Shortcut: Ctrl + C
- Description: After taking a snip, press Ctrl + C to copy the screenshot directly to your clipboard. You can then paste it into documents, emails, chat messages, or even image editing tools like Paint. This is the quickest way to transfer your screenshot without saving it as a file first.
2. Save Snip
- Shortcut: Ctrl + S
- Description: Once your snip is ready, press Ctrl + S to open the save dialog box. From here, you can choose your preferred location and save the snip as a file in formats like PNG, JPEG, or GIF. Remember to name your file for easy reference later!
3. Print the Snip
- Shortcut: Ctrl + P
- Description: If you need a hard copy of your snip, press Ctrl + P to print it directly. This helps share physical copies or for documentation that requires printed screenshots.
4. Email the Snip
- Description: For those using Outlook or other default email programs, you can send snips directly from the Snipping Tool. Just click the “Send Snip” icon (an envelope icon) within the tool after taking a screenshot, and it will open your email client with the snip attached. This is ideal for quick sharing with colleagues or clients.
5. Annotate and Edit
- In-Tool Editing Options: After capturing your snip, you can annotate it using the Snipping Tool’s built-in pen and highlighter. These help add quick notes or highlight specific areas of your screenshot before sharing.
- Open in Paint for Advanced Editing: If you need more editing options, you can open the snip-in Paint directly from the Snipping Tool. This lets you crop, resize, or add more detailed annotations.
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Using these shortcuts, you can quickly save, copy, or share your snips for easy collaboration or personal reference. During the course of working on your network, you can also check what Do WiFi Extenders Work for ease of connection.
Troubleshooting Common Snipping Tool Shortcut Issues
Sometimes, shortcuts for the Snipping Tool might not work as expected. Below are some issues that people come across along with their solutions.
1. Windows + Shift + S Not Working
If Windows + Shift + S isn’t launching the Snipping Tool, try these fixes:
- Check Shortcut Settings: Go to Settings > System > Clipboard and ensure clipboard history is turned on, as this can sometimes impact snipping functionality.
- Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can reset temporary issues and may resolve the shortcut problem.
- Update Windows: Make sure your system is up to date. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select “Check for updates.”
2. Snipping Tool Shortcut Key Not Working on Windows 7
On Windows 7, some shortcuts might not be available by default. You may need to launch the Snipping Tool manually from the Start menu or pin it to your taskbar for easier access.
3. Delayed Snip Option Missing
If you can’t find the delay option in the Snipping Tool, note that it’s only available in newer versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. For earlier versions, you may need to use alternative methods to capture pop-ups, like pressing Print Screen and editing in Paint.
4. Using a Third-Party App
If Snipping Tool issues persist or if you need additional features, consider trying a third-party screenshot tool. Apps like Snagit or Greenshot provide additional options for capturing, annotating, and sharing screenshots.
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Snipping Tool Shortcuts for Windows 7
If you’re using Windows 7, the Snipping Tool has slightly fewer features, but you can still capture screenshots efficiently.
1. Open the Snipping Tool
- Method: Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Snipping Tool.
- For easier access, pin it to your taskbar by right-clicking the icon and selecting “Pin to taskbar.”
2. Set a Custom Shortcut
Although Windows 7 doesn’t have a default keyboard shortcut for launching the Snipping Tool, you can create your own:
- Locate the Snipping Tool in the Start menu, right-click, and select Properties.
- In the Shortcut Key field, set a combination like Ctrl + Alt + S, then click Apply and OK.
3. Capture Different Snip Types
Windows 7 includes Rectangular, Freeform, Window, and Full-Screen snip types. Choose your preferred mode from the Snipping Tool toolbar and start capturing with ease.
Conclusion
The Windows Snipping Tool shortcuts are an easy and effective way to capture, save, and share screenshots. Whether you’re using the latest Windows version or still on Windows 7, these shortcuts make it quick to grab exactly what you need from your screen. By following this guide, you can work more efficiently and make the most of your Snipping Tool! To check more of such techy stuff don’t forget to visit our homepage.