Taking screenshots is something that I think we have all done from time to time. Whether we are talking memes, articles, or whatever else it may be, there is no shortage of tools to help us take all the screenshots that we need. With Windows Vista, Microsoft introduced a tool called Snipping Tool. It is still around and popular today. For those that have never seen it:
You can find the Snipping Tool at Start > Windows Accessories > Snipping Tool.
Though Snipping Tool is still built into Windows Microsoft has also included Snip and Sketch. Snip and Sketch is Snipping Tool’s replacement. Sorry to all the Snipping Tool loyalists but not only is Snip and Sketch replacing the legacy program, it is also a vast improvement. While they both make taking screenshots easy, Snip and Sketch offers a more user friendly interface, annotations, and basic editing.
What is Snip and Sketch?
Microsoft released Snip and Sketch in the October 2018 update to Windows. It is useful and easy to use and you can use it to capture and share whatever you are doing on your Windows PC. It is free, included in Windows, and will more than cover the needs of most users.
Features:
- Time delay for screenshots.
- Take a screenshot of any region of your screen.
- Opens and takes screenshots quickly.
- Add annotations to your screenshots.
- Basic editing features.
- A ruler tool.
- A protractor tool.
- An eraser.
- Built into Windows.
First I’m going to walk you through the Snip and Sketch interface and then we are going to cover the ways to use it to take screenshots.
Snip and Sketch Walkthrough
Main window – The area that your screenshot will appear so you can annotate, edit, and save it.
New button – You press this to take a screenshot. It also allows time delays.
Annotation and editing tools – You can write on your screenshot as well as change between pen, pencil, and highlighter (with various color selections). You can also use the eraser, ruler, and protractor. You can even crop your screenshot.
General tools – You have the options to Zoom, Save, Copy, and Share.
Main menu – You have Open, Print, Send feedback, and Settings options. You also have Tips & Tricks.
You can take screenshots in four ways with Snip and Sketch:
- Rectangular
- Freeform
- Window
- Fullscreen
How to Use Snip and Sketch
Take a Rectangular Screenshot
Open Snip and Sketch.
Click the New button.
Select the Rectangular snip button.
Using the mouse select the area of the screen that you want to take a screenshot of.
Do any annotations and edits that you want and then click Save.
Take a Freeform Screenshot
Open Snip and Sketch.
Click the New button.
Click the Freeform snip button.
Using the mouse select the area of the screen that you want to take a screenshot of.
Do any annotations and edits that you want and then click Save.
Take a Window Screenshot
Open Snip and Sketch.
Click the New button.
Select the Window snip button.
Click anywhere in the window.
Do any annotations and edits that you want and then click Save.
Take a Fullscreen Screenshot
Open Snip and Sketch.
Click the New button.
Select the Fullscreen snip button.
Do any annotations and edits that you want and then click Save.
How to Set a Time Delay
Open Snip and Sketch.
Click the down facing arrow by the New button.
Make your selection. If you choose a time delay the application will wait exactly the number of seconds that you chose to give you the snip options to choose from.
There are four ways that you can open Snip and Sketch:
- Press the Win + Shift + S keys together. – Note that this copies your screenshot to the clipboard. You will need to paste it in Windows Paint and save it from there.
- Open it from the Start Menu.
- Click Start or the Search icon and type: “Snip & Sketch” (without the quotes).
- Press the Print Screen key. – I have found this especially useful in taking screenshots of menus and jump lists. Note that this copies your screenshot to the clipboard. You will need to paste it in Windows Paint and save it from there. I like this better than the Win + Shift + S approach because it requires only one button press.
Snip and Sketch is free, easy to use, and works extremely well. It will definitely meet the needs of the overwhelming majority of Windows users. If you are still using Snipping Tool give Snip and Sketch a try and let me know how it goes.