Snipping Tool Shortcuts You Should Know (Windows 10 & 11)

Taking screenshots is something most Windows users do every day, but many still rely on the mouse or the Print Screen key. If you want to capture, save, and edit screenshots faster, learning Snipping Tool shortcuts is essential.

In this guide, you’ll discover all the Snipping Tool shortcuts you should know, how they work, and how to use them efficiently on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

What Is the Snipping Tool?

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows application that lets you capture screenshots of your entire screen, a specific window, or a custom-selected area. It also includes basic editing and annotation tools, making it more powerful than traditional Print Screen screenshots.

Using keyboard shortcuts with the Snipping Tool allows you to work faster and avoid unnecessary clicks.

Complete List of Snipping Tool Shortcuts

These are the most important Snipping Tool keyboard shortcuts every Windows user should know.

Essential Snipping Tool Shortcuts (Must-Know)

Shortcut	Action
Windows + Shift + S	Open the snipping overlay
Ctrl + S	Save the screenshot
Ctrl + C	Copy the screenshot to clipboard
Alt + N	Create a new snip
Esc	Cancel the snipping process

Snipping Tool Shortcuts for Editing & Annotation

After capturing a screenshot, Snipping Tool provides basic editing options. These shortcuts help speed up post – capture actions.

Shortcut	Action
Ctrl + Z	Undo last action
Ctrl + Y	Redo action
Ctrl + P	Print the screenshot
Ctrl + A	Select entire image

These shortcuts work when the Snipping Tool editing window is active.

Snipping Tool Shortcuts for Faster Workflow

Keyboard shortcuts significantly reduce the time spent capturing screenshots, especially if you work with documentation, tutorials, or remote collaboration.

Why shortcuts improve productivity:

• No need to open the app manually
• Faster capture during meetings
• Instant copy-paste into emails or documents
• Less interruption to your workflow

Pro tip:
Use Windows + Shift + S → Ctrl + C to instantly paste screenshots into WordPress, Google Docs, or email without saving files.

Snipping Tool vs Print Screen Shortcuts

Many users confuse Snipping Tool shortcuts with traditional Print Screen commands. Here’s a quick comparison.

Shortcut	What It Does
Print Screen (PrtSc)	Captures full screen to clipboard
Alt + Print Screen	Captures active window
Windows + Print Screen	Saves full screen automatically
Windows + Shift + S	Opens Snipping Tool overlay

Key difference: Snipping Tool shortcuts allow custom selection and editing, while Print Screen shortcuts do not.

How to Enable Snipping Tool with the Print Screen Key

You can configure Windows to open Snipping Tool when pressing Print Screen.

Steps:

1. Open Windows Settings
2. Go to Accessibility → Keyboard
3. Enable Use the Print Screen key to open Snipping Tool

This setting makes Snipping Tool even faster to access.

Common Problems With Snipping Tool Shortcuts (And Fixes)

Snipping Tool shortcut not working?

• Make sure Windows is updated
• Check that no third-party screenshot tool is overriding shortcuts
• Restart the Snipping Tool app

Snipping Tool not opening?

• Search for “Snipping Tool” in the Start Menu
• Reinstall via Microsoft Store if needed

Tips Most Users Don’t Know About the Snipping Tool

• You can use Delay Snip to capture menus
• Works across multiple monitors
• Screenshots can auto – copy to the clipboard
• Ideal for quick tutorials and bug reporting

Final Thoughts

Learning the Snipping Tool shortcuts you should know can dramatically improve how you capture and manage screenshots in Windows. Whether you’re a student, professional, or content creator, these shortcuts save time and reduce effort.

Bookmark this guide or keep it handy; you’ll use these shortcuts more than you expect.

Frequently Asked Questions