Windows
Snipping Tool
User Manual
John Smith
IT Department
North Albany Senior High School
September 2016
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Launching the Snipping Tool
3. Operating the Snipping Tool
4. Options Menu
5. Conclusion
Appendix 1: Safety Information
Appendix 2: References
Appendix 3: Frequently Asked Questions
Appendix 4: Technical Support
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1. Introduction
The Windows Snipping Tool is an accessory that you can use to take screenshots or “snips” of certain
areas or the whole screen of the Windows GUI. It is a versatile and flexible accessory for capturing
graphics from the computer screen. This User Manual is for those who are new to the Snipping Tool
or who are unsure of the full extent of the operations can be performed with it.
2. Launching the Snipping Tool
Method 1
Figure 1: Opening the Snipping Tool from the Start Menu via the Accessories menu
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Select Accessories.
3. Select Snipping Tool.
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Method 2
Figure 2: Opening the Snipping Tool from the Search field in the Start Menu
1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type “Snipping Tool” into the search box (it doesn’t matter if it is lowercase or uppercase).
3. Select Snipping Tool.
Method 3
Figure 3: Opening the Snipping Tool with the Run command
1. Press the Windows key and 2 and R simultaneously.
2. Enter “snippingtool” in lowercase letters.
3. Press OK.
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3. Operating the Snipping Tool
Figure 4: The Snipping Tool window.
When you open the Snipping Tool program, it whites out the area on the screen surrounding its
window so that you can select an area to “snip.” Drag the cursor around the area you want to
capture, or press Cancel if you want to discontinue the operation. If you press Cancel, you can go
back to creating a new snip by pressing New.
Pressing the question mark symbol next to the instruction text brings up a help menu that will
explain more about the Snipping Tool, but it does not contain anything that is not covered or
referred to in this User Guide.
Figure 5: The different types of snipping that you can choose from.
If you select the drop-down menu next to the New button, it brings up a list of settings. The default
setting is “Rectangular Snip,” but you can also choose from the following options: Free-form Snip,
Window snip, and Full-screen Snip.
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Figure 6: The outcome of a successful “snip.”
When you have selected an area with the snipping tool and successfully captured it, you may edit it
with pen, pencil and eraser; email it to someone; save it in different digital image formats; and copy
it so that you can paste it into a document.
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4. Options Menu
Figure 7: Snipping Tool Options.
The options in the Options dialog box are more or less self-explanatory. Hide instruction text hides
the text that says “Drag the cursor around the area you want to capture” and also hides the Snipping
Tool Help option, and likewise the functions of the check boxes describe exactly what they do if
checked or don’t do if unchecked.
5. Conclusion
The Snipping Tool is a useful application that can substitute for the function of the PrtScn button,
which is absent on some keyboards e.g. on laptops. Snipping Tool is more versatile than PrtScn and
allows more methods of capturing image data. It can also save directly to a file.
Happy snipping!
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Appendix 1: Safety Information
The Snipping Tool comes as proprietary software by Microsoft with absolutely no warranty, nor any
provisions against the theft of intellectual property that may occur in its use. If it is used for
extraordinary periods of time, as with all software and its associated hardware, it is recommended
that its use be confined to periods of 30 minutes at a time with five-minute breaks in between, to
avoid eye strain. As with all computer use, while using this software you must make sure your chair
or seat supports your back appropriately, that your feet are flat on the floor, and that your monitor
is at eye height.
Appendix 2: References
1. Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots, https://support.microsoft.com/engb/help/13776/windows-use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots
2. Snipping Tool: Windows Help and Support (accessible through Help button in the program itself)
Appendix 3: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PrtScn and the Snipping Tool?
The Snipping Tool is more versatile and allows more methods of capturing image data, and can save
it in a variety of image formats.
Can I use the Snipping Tool to take a snip of itself?
No. You must use PrtScn to do this. Your keyboard must have the PrtScn button on it in order to do
this (n.b. some keyboards don’t).
Appendix 4: Technical Support
For technical support, please ask to speak to John Smith in the IT department of NASHs.
North Albany Senior High School, Anson Rd, Albany WA 6330
(08) 9892 0611
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