Full Guide to Snipping Tool on Windows 10

The Snipping Tool on Windows 10 is one of the simplest yet most powerful built-in tools for taking screenshots. Whether you want to capture part of your screen, annotate an image, or quickly save a screenshot without installing extra software, Snipping Tool gets the job done.

This complete guide explains what the Snipping Tool is, how to use it, all snip types, keyboard shortcuts, editing options, and common problems with fixes, all in one place.

What Is the Snipping Tool in Windows 10?

The Snipping Tool is a free screenshot utility built directly into Windows 10. It allows users to capture screenshots in different formats, mark them up, and save or copy them for later use.

Unlike the traditional Print Screen key, Snipping Tool lets you:

• Select a specific area of the screen
• Capture a single window
• Annotate screenshots instantly
• Save images in multiple formats

Even though Microsoft introduced Snip & Sketch, the Snipping Tool is still available and widely used on Windows 10.

How to Open Snipping Tool on Windows 10

There are several ways to launch the Snipping Tool. Use whichever is fastest for you.

Open from the Start Menu

1. Click the Start button
2. Scroll to Windows Accessories
3. Click Snipping Tool

Open Using Windows Search

1. Press Windows + S
2. Type Snipping Tool
3. Click the app from the results

Open Using Run Command

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type snippingtool
3. Press Enter

Pin Snipping Tool for Quick Access

• Right-click Snipping Tool
• Select Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar

How to Take a Screenshot with Snipping Tool

Taking screenshots with Snipping Tool is straightforward.

Snip Types Explained

Free-form Snip
Draw a freehand shape around the area you want to capture.

Rectangular Snip
Drag a rectangle to capture a specific portion of the screen.

Window Snip
Capture a single open window (browser, app, dialog box).

Full-screen Snip
Capture the entire screen instantly.

Step-by-Step Screenshot Process

1. Open Snipping Tool
2. Click New
3. Select the snip type
4. Capture your screen
5. Edit or save the screenshot

Snipping Tool Keyboard Shortcuts (Windows 10)

Keyboard shortcuts make the Snipping Tool much faster to use.

Shortcut	Action
Alt + N	Take a new snip
Ctrl + S	Save the screenshot
Ctrl + C	Copy snip to clipboard
Alt + M	Change snip mode
Esc	Cancel snipping

Tip: For faster access, you can also use Windows + Shift + S to open the snipping overlay (Snip & Sketch).

How to Edit and Save Screenshots

After capturing a snip, the Snipping Tool opens an editing window.

Editing Tools Available

• Pen – draw or underline
• Highlighter – emphasize areas
• Eraser – remove annotations

Save Options

You can save screenshots in:

• PNG (best quality)
• JPG
• GIF

You can also copy screenshots directly to the clipboard and paste them into emails, documents, or image editors.

Where Are Snipping Tool Screenshots Saved?

By default, Snipping Tool does not auto – save screenshots.

• You must manually click File → Save As
• Choose your preferred folder
• Select the file format

If you copy the snip, it stays in your clipboard until replaced.

Common Snipping Tool Problems on Windows 10

Snipping Tool Not Opening

Possible causes:

• Corrupted system files
• Disabled Windows features
• Outdated Windows version

Fix: Restart Windows Explorer or update Windows.

Snipping Tool Not Working

This can happen due to:

• Keyboard shortcut conflicts
• App glitches

Fix: Reset the app or use Snip & Sketch as a temporary alternative.

Snipping Tool Shortcut Not Working

Fix:
Go to Settings → Ease of Access → Keyboard and enable Print Screen shortcuts if disabled.

Snipping Tool vs Snip & Sketch (Windows 10)

Feature	Snipping Tool	Snip & Sketch
Built into Windows	Yes	Yes
Delayed snip	Yes	Limited
Annotation tools	Basic	Advanced
Keyboard shortcut	Limited	Win + Shift + S
Screen recording	No	No

Which should you use?
For simple screenshots, Snipping Tool is perfect. For faster workflows and annotations, Snip & Sketch is better.

Useful Tips to Use Snipping Tool Like a Pro

• Use Delay to capture menus and tooltips
• Pin the tool to the taskbar for one-click access
• Combine with Clipboard History (Windows + V)
• Save frequently used snips as templates

Best Alternatives to Snipping Tool

If you need advanced features like scrolling screenshots or screen recording, consider third-party tools. However, for everyday use, Snipping Tool remains reliable and lightweight.

Final Thoughts

The Snipping Tool on Windows 10 remains one of the easiest ways to capture, edit, and share screenshots without installing extra software. Once you learn its features and shortcuts, it becomes an essential productivity tool.

If you regularly work with screenshots, bookmarking this guide will save you time and frustration.

Frequently Asked Questions