Your Windows PC’s screenshot-taking chops have come a long way over the years. You no longer need to rely on the native screengrab function triggered by the PrtScn key. Instead, you can use the Windows Snipping Tool to take screenshots of more specific parts of the screen. Other than the Snipping Tool, you can also make use of the Xbox Game Bar to take screengrabs and screen recordings. In this article, we bring you the top ways to open the Windows Snipping Tool with a keyboard shortcut.
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In This Article
Here are the 2 most common keyboard shortcuts to open the Windows Snipping Tool
- Windows Key + Shift + S: Pressing this key combination will trigger the Snipping tool into action. You will see a small toolbar appear at the top of the screen. You can choose the shape you want for the screenshot from this toolbar. To take a screenshot, simply click and drag the cursor along the screen.
- PrtScn key: If your PC or laptop keyboard has a PrtScn key on the top row, you can press it to trigger the Windows Snipping Tool. In older versions of Microsoft Windows, pressing this key will take a screenshot of the entire screen, which can later be pasted on any photo editing tool.
What if the Windows Key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut does not trigger the Windows Snipping Tool?
Follow these steps to make sure your PC launches the Snipping Tool after hitting the Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut.
Step 1: Go to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories.
Step 2: Right-click on Snipping Tool and select Properties.
Step 3: Switch to the Shortcut tab.
Step 4: Enter Windows Key + Shift + S in the Shortcut Key field.
Step 5: Hit Apply and OK.
Bonus Tip: Use the Macro Key
If your PC or laptop keyboard has an extra macro key, you can program it to trigger the Windows Snipping Tool. Simply launch the Macro Key app and drag the Snipping Tool icon from C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories to the Macro Key app window. You can also click on ‘Add’ and navigate to the location of the Snipping Key tool. Once that’s done, you can launch the tool simply by pressing the macro key on your keyboard.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can I find my Snipping Tool screenshots?
To find your Snipping Tool screenshots, go to Pictures>Screenshots.
What is the keyboard shortcut for Windows Snipping Tool?
The Windows Snipping Tool can be triggered by the ‘Windows Key + Shift + S’ key combination. You can also access it by pressing the PrtScn button on your keyboard.
Does Windows 11 have Snip and Sketch?
No, Microsoft completely replaced the Snip and Sketch app on Windows 11 with the Snipping Tool.
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Conclusion
These are the top ways to open the Windows Snipping Tool using a keyboard shortcut on your PC and laptop. If your device does not have the Snipping Tool, you can simply install it from the Microsoft Store. The Snip and Sketch app is no longer available for Windows 11 users. If you found this article helpful, let us know in the comments!
