How to Use Windows Snip & Sketch for Screen Capture and Annotation

If you're looking for a quick and easy way to capture screenshots and annotate them on your Windows computer, Windows Snip & Sketch is the perfect tool for you. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of using Windows Snip & Sketch to capture and annotate your screen. Let's get started!

Step 1: Opening Snip & Sketch

To open Windows Snip & Sketch, press the Windows key on your keyboard and type "Snip & Sketch" in the search bar.
Click on the Snip & Sketch app to open it.

Step 2: Taking a Screenshot

Once Snip & Sketch is open, you will see a small toolbar at the top of the screen. Click on the "New" button on the left side of the toolbar.
Alternatively, you can also use the keyboard shortcut "Windows key + Shift + S" to start a screenshot.

Step 3: Capture Options

After clicking "New" or using the shortcut, the screen will fade and a small menu will appear at the top of the screen with four different capture options: Rectangular Snip, Freeform Snip, Window Snip, and Fullscreen Snip.
- Rectangular Snip: Allows you to capture a rectangular portion of the screen.
- Freeform Snip: Lets you draw and capture any irregular shape on the screen.
- Window Snip: Enables you to select a specific window or dialog box to capture.
- Fullscreen Snip: Captures the entire screen.

Step 4: Capture the Screen

Choose the capture option that suits your needs by clicking on it.
Once you click on the desired option, your screen will change to a transparent overlay, and you can click and drag to select the area you want to capture.
Release the mouse button to capture the selected area.

Step 5: Annotation and Editing

After capturing the screenshot, Snip & Sketch will open a new window with various options for annotation and editing.
- Pen: Use the pen tool to draw freehand lines or highlight specific areas.
- Pencil: Similar to the pen tool, but with a thinner stroke.
- Highlighter: Allows you to highlight text or specific parts of the screenshot.
- Eraser: Removes any annotations or markings you have made.
- Ruler: Helps you draw straight lines or measure distances.
- Crop: Lets you crop the screenshot to focus on a specific area.
- Text: Allows you to add text boxes to your screenshot.
- Stickers: Offers a variety of pre-designed stickers to decorate your screenshot.
Click on the desired tool and use your mouse or touchpad to annotate your screenshot.

Once you are satisfied with your annotated screenshot, you can save it by clicking on the floppy disk icon in the top right corner of the Snip & Sketch window.
Choose the desired save location, enter a file name, and select the file format (PNG, JPG, or GIF).
Click "Save" to save the file to your computer.
If you want to share the screenshot immediately, click on the "Share" icon next to the save icon and select the desired sharing option (email, social media, etc.).

That's it! You have successfully learned how to use Windows Snip & Sketch for screen capture and annotation. This handy tool will make it easier for you to capture, annotate, and share screenshots on your Windows computer. Enjoy!