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Snipping Tool
Snipping Tool · Redmond, Washington, USA · founded 1975
What it is
Snipping Tool is a free Windows app for capturing words, images, and video from part or all of a PC screen. Image modes include freeform, rectangular, window, and full-screen snips, while video uses a separate capture overlay. Windows+Shift+S opens image capture and Windows+Shift+R opens video capture. A delay control starts a countdown from one to five seconds. Image snips can be marked with a pen, highlighter, shapes, or emojis, then erased or cropped. Text actions use OCR to extract text, copy selected or all text, and redact email addresses or phone numbers; Microsoft says recognition happens locally. Captures save automatically to the Screenshots folder, with settings for save behavior and location. Videos can open in Clipchamp for captions or audio. Snipping Tool ships with Windows 10 and 11 and is available from the Microsoft Store.
For and against
For
- Free Windows app
- Image and video capture modes
- OCR text extraction with redaction
- Local text recognition
- Clipchamp video editing handoff
Against
- No scrolling capture
- Some features require Copilot+ PCs
- Windows platform only
The verdict
Snipping Tool covers everyday screen capture, markup, OCR, and short video recording without a listed price. Its lack of scrolling capture and Windows-only availability may matter for some workflows.
Who it suits
It suits Windows users who need quick screen captures, annotations, OCR, or video snippets. It is also useful for sharing screen content and documenting troubleshooting.
Plans and prices
Snipping Tool
Windows app · Microsoft Store lists it as Free
Read 11 Oct 2026 · microsoft.com
On the record
- Annotations
- Users can mark up image snips with a pen, highlighter, shapes, or emojis, erase marks, and crop images.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Automatic saving
- Captured snips are automatically saved to the Screenshots folder, and settings can change the save behavior or default folder.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Capture modes
- It supports freeform, rectangular, window, and full-screen image snips, plus video snips.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Copilot+ PC features
- Perfect screenshot and Color picker are identified as Copilot+ PC features; Perfect screenshot automatically frames prominent on-screen content.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Delay
- The delay control can start a capture countdown of 1 to 5 seconds.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- Microsoft says Snipping Tool ships with Windows and can be obtained from the Microsoft Store if it is missing.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Intended use
- Microsoft describes Snipping Tool as a way to capture and share screen content, and lists it as an alternative for screen recording and troubleshooting documentation.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Windows+Shift+S opens the image capture overlay, and Windows+Shift+R opens the video capture overlay.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Local processing
- Microsoft says all text recognition processes are performed locally on the device.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- OCR text extraction
- Yessupport.microsoft.com · read 19 Sep 2026
- Platform availability
- Microsoft Support says Snipping Tool applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Snipping Tool captures words or images from all or part of a PC screen for editing, saving, and sharing.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Scrolling capture
- Nosupport.microsoft.com · read 19 Sep 2026
- Text extraction
- Text actions uses OCR to extract text from a snip, with options to copy selected text or all text and redact email addresses or phone numbers.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Video editing
- Recorded video snips can be opened in Clipchamp for editing, including adding captions or audio.support.microsoft.com · read 11 Oct 2026
