How to use the Snipping Tool shortcut to take screenshots on your computer

Instructions on how to create a shortcut to quickly open Snipping Tool

Setting up keyboard shortcuts for the Snipping Tool can save you time and effort, especially if you frequently need to take screenshots. Windows 10 doesn't provide a built-in keyboard shortcut for the Snipping Tool, but you can easily create a custom keyboard shortcut. Here are some simple ways to create a shortcut to quickly and conveniently open the Snipping Tool.

Method 1: Instructions for creating shortcuts on Desktop

Step 1: On the Desktop, right-click, select "New", then select "Shortcut".

Step 2: Next, in the "Type the location of the item" field, enter "snippingtool.exe" and click "Next" to continue.

Step 3: Give this shortcut a name of your choice, then click "Finish" to complete the creation process.

Step 4: Now, you have a shortcut of Snipping Tool on your Desktop. Just double-click on this shortcut to quickly open Snipping Tool.

How to use the Snipping Tool shortcut to take screenshots on your computer

Method 2: Instructions for assigning custom shortcut keys

Step 1: Open Start Menu and search for "Snipping Tool", right-click on the Snipping Tool icon, then select "Properties" to access the shortcut settings.

Step 2: In the "Shortcut" tab, click the "Shortcut key" box and enter the shortcut key combination you want to use (for example: Ctrl + Alt + S).

Step 3: Click "Apply" then "OK" to apply and save the changes.

Step 4: From now on, you just need to use the shortcut key combination you just set up to open Snipping Tool quickly and conveniently.

How to use the Snipping Tool shortcut to take screenshots on your computer

Method 3: Instructions on how to pin Snipping Tool to the Taskbar

This is the simplest way to quickly access Snipping Tool without searching or using other shortcuts.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu and type "Snipping Tool" in the search box.

Step 2: When the Snipping Tool app appears in the search results, right-click on its icon, select "More", then select "Pin to taskbar" for easy access and use later.

Step 3 : Now, the Snipping Tool icon has appeared on the Taskbar. You just need to click on this icon to quickly open Snipping Tool.

How to use the Snipping Tool shortcut to take screenshots on your computer

Instructions on how to take screenshots on Windows computers using Snipping Tool

Once you know how to use the Snipping Tool shortcut or open the tool via the search bar, you will see the Snipping Tool interface with capture options. This shortcut offers a variety of modes, from full-screen capture to custom region capture, to meet all your capture needs.

Full-screen Snip mode on computer

This is the simplest and fastest way to capture the entire content displayed on your computer screen. To capture the entire screen, simply press the "Prt Sc" key or open the Snipping Tool from the Taskbar and select the "Full-screen Snip" mode. Immediately, the entire screen will be captured, and you can easily edit or save the screenshot.

Window Snip mode on computer

This mode is useful when you only want to capture a specific active window. After pressing the Windows logo key + Shift + S shortcut key or clicking on the Snipping Tool icon on the Taskbar and selecting "Window Snip", move the mouse cursor to the window you want to capture and click to automatically record the entire contents of that window.

Rectangular Snip mode on computer

The "Rectangular Snip" mode allows you to freely select a rectangular area on the screen to capture. After installing the Snipping Tool shortcut, select "Rectangular Snip" and hold down the left mouse button, then drag to circle the content you want to capture. As soon as you release the mouse button, the Snipping Tool will automatically capture the area you selected.

How to use the Snipping Tool shortcut to take screenshots on your computer

Free-form Snip mode on computer

The "Free-form Snip" mode offers maximum flexibility in selecting the capture area. You can draw any shape around the area you want to capture. First, open the Snipping Tool and select "Free-form Snip". Next, hold down the left mouse button and draw freely around the area you want to capture. When you release the mouse button, the Snipping Tool will capture the area you just drew.

How to use the Snipping Tool shortcut to take screenshots on your computer

Step-by-step guide to taking screenshots using Snipping Tool

Step 1: Open Snipping Tool using the installed shortcut or search for "Snipping Tool" in the Start Menu.

Step 2: Choose a capture mode that suits your needs, such as full screen, window, custom region, or freehand.

Step 3: Take a photo by performing the operations appropriate to the shooting mode you have selected.

Step 4: After taking a screenshot, you can edit the image using Snipping Tool's tools, then save or share the screenshot.

How to use the Snipping Tool shortcut to take screenshots on your computer

By mastering the Snipping Tool shortcuts, you will optimize your workflow and save a lot of time. Hopefully this article has helped you better understand how to use and set up shortcuts on Windows 10. Try it out and discover more useful features to improve your work and study efficiency.