The fastest way to open Snipping Tool

Press Windows key + Shift + S on your keyboard. This opens the Snipping Tool screenshot interface immediately, without needing to search or navigate menus. Your screen will dim slightly and your cursor will change to a crosshair, ready for you to select the area you want to capture.

If that keyboard shortcut does not work on your machine, you can also open Snipping Tool by typing "snipping tool" into the Windows search box (click the magnifying glass icon on your taskbar or press Windows key + S) and clicking the result. Both methods take you to the same tool.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows key + Shift + S is the quickest way to open Snipping Tool and start capturing a screenshot right away.
  • You can also search for "snipping tool" in the Windows search box if the keyboard shortcut does not work on your device.
  • Once open, you can choose to capture a rectangular area, a freeform shape, a window, or your entire screen.
  • After you capture a screenshot, Snipping Tool automatically opens an editor where you can crop, annotate, or save the image.

Using the screenshot modes

After you press Windows key + Shift + S, a small toolbar appears at the top of your screen with four capture options. The first icon (a rectangle) lets you drag to select a rectangular area. The second icon (a lasso shape) lets you draw around an irregular shape freehand. The third icon (a window outline) captures just one open window when you click it. The fourth icon (a full screen) captures everything on your monitor at once.

Choose the mode that matches what you need to capture, then make your selection. Once you release your mouse, the screenshot is automatically copied to your clipboard and a small notification appears in the bottom right corner of your screen.

Saving and editing your screenshot

When you capture a screenshot, a notification pops up in the lower right corner. Click it to open the Snipping Tool editor window. From here you can crop the image by dragging the edges, draw or highlight parts of the screenshot using the pen and highlighter tools, or erase sections using the eraser. You can also type text directly onto the screenshot.

To save your screenshot, click the Save button (the disk icon) in the top right of the editor. A dialog box opens asking where you want to save the file and what to name it. By default, Snipping Tool saves images as PNG files, which preserves quality and works with most programs.

Finding Snipping Tool in your Start menu

If you prefer to open Snipping Tool the traditional way, click the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. Scroll down through the alphabetical list of installed programs until you reach the S section. Click on "Snipping Tool" to launch it.

This method opens the full Snipping Tool window rather than the quick screenshot interface. From the window, you can click New to start a capture, or use the dropdown menu next to it to choose your capture mode before you begin.

Pinning Snipping Tool to your taskbar

If you use Snipping Tool often, you can add it to your taskbar for one-click access. Open the Start menu, find Snipping Tool in the list, right-click it, and select "Pin to taskbar." The Snipping Tool icon will then appear on your taskbar at the bottom of your screen, so you can launch it without opening the Start menu.

You can also right-click the Snipping Tool icon on your taskbar and select "Pin to Start" to add it to your Start menu for easier finding in the future.

Troubleshooting if Snipping Tool will not open

If Windows key + Shift + S does not work, check whether you have another program using that same keyboard shortcut. Some third-party screenshot tools or gaming software override the Windows shortcut. Try the search method instead: press Windows key + S, type "snipping tool," and click the result.

If Snipping Tool still does not appear in search results, your Windows version may be older and use a different tool called the Snipping Tool (the legacy version) or the Screenshot tool. Both work similarly — search for "screenshot" or "snip" to find what is available on your machine. If you are on Windows 11, you should have access to the newer Snipping Tool with the keyboard shortcut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does Snipping Tool save screenshots by default?

Snipping Tool does not save screenshots automatically. When you capture an image, it copies to your clipboard, and you must manually save it using the Save button in the editor. You choose the location and filename each time.

Can I undo changes I made to a screenshot in Snipping Tool?

Yes. While the editor is open, you can use Ctrl + Z to undo your last action, or click the undo arrow button in the toolbar. Once you close the editor without saving, your edits are lost but the original screenshot remains in your clipboard.

What is the difference between Snipping Tool and Print Screen?

Print Screen captures your entire screen and copies it to your clipboard, but does not open an editor. Snipping Tool lets you select just the area you want, then opens an editor where you can crop and annotate before saving. Snipping Tool gives you more control over what you capture and how you save it.

Can I capture a screenshot of a menu or dropdown list?

Yes, but it requires a different approach. When you press Windows key + Shift + S, menus usually close. Instead, open Snipping Tool from the Start menu or taskbar, click New, choose your capture mode, then open the menu you want to capture. You have a few seconds to make your selection before the tool times out.