Snipping Tool
Snipping Tool is a Microsoft Windows screenshot utility included in Windows Vista and later. It can take still screenshots of an open window, rectangular areas, a free-form area, or the entire screen. Snips can then be annotated using a mouse or a tablet, stored as an image file (PNG, GIF, or JPEG file) or an MHTML file, or e-mailed. Snipping Tool allows for basic image editing of the snapshot, with different colored pens, an eraser, and a highlighter.
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![]() Snipping Tool in Windows 11 | |
Developer(s) | Microsoft |
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Initial release | November 7, 2002 |
Operating system |
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Type | Screenshot software |
Website | support![]() |
History
Before Windows Vista, Snipping Tool, originally known as the Clipping Tool, was included in the Experience Pack for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005. It was originally released as a PowerToy for the Microsoft Tablet PC launch on November 7, 2002.[2]
In Windows 10 version 1809, a new Universal app version of Snipping Tool known as Snip & Sketch was introduced. It was first named Screen Sketch, and was initially a component of the Windows Ink Workspace.[3][4][5] Snipping Tool was modified to contain a notice warning of the application's deprecation, which encouraged users to move to Snip & Sketch. Despite this, the app was never removed from Windows 10.[6]
In April 2021, Microsoft released Windows 10 Insider build 21354, which made Snipping Tool updateable from the Microsoft Store by being packaged with Snip & Sketch.[7][8]
In Windows 11 insider build 22000.132, released on August 12, 2021, both Snip & Sketch and the legacy version of Snipping Tool were merged into an updated version of Snipping Tool, which has an interface similar to the legacy Snipping Tool.[9][10][11]
See also
References
- "Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots". Support. Microsoft. September 1, 2016.
- "Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition". Microsoft.com. November 7, 2002. Archived from the original on December 4, 2002. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
- Chen, Jennifer (October 2, 2018). "Find out what's new in Windows and Office in October". Windows 10 Blog.
- Tung, Liam. "Windows 10 screen snipping tool: Microsoft gives it a new name, adds delay feature". ZDNet. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- Bott, Ed. "Windows 10 tip: How to use the new Snip & Sketch app for smart screenshots". ZDNet. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- Weatherbed, Jess (September 17, 2021). "Windows 11 gets updated Snipping Tool for better screenshots". TechRadar. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- Blog, Windows Insider (April 7, 2021). "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 21354". Windows Insider Blog. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- Tung, Liam. "Windows 10: Paint and Snipping Tool now update from the Microsoft Store". ZDNet. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
- Blog, Windows Insider (August 12, 2021). "Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22000.132". Windows Insider Blog. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- Blog, Windows Insider (August 12, 2021). "First set of Windows app updates rolling out to Windows Insiders for Windows 11". Windows Insider Blog. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
- Weatherbed, Jess (September 17, 2021). "Windows 11 gets updated Snipping Tool for better screenshots". TechRadar. Retrieved October 1, 2021.