Snipping Tool Instructions

The Snipping Tool allows you to take selections of your windows or desktop and save them as snips, or screen shots, on your computer.

The Snipping Tool allows you to capture portions of your screen using four methods and then save these snips as a JPG, GIF, PNG, or MHT file.

When you start the Snipping Tool, it automatically goes into capture mode using the last selection type that was selected.

Starting the Snipping Tool

To start the Snipping Tool please follow these steps:

Click on the Start button to open your Start Menu
Start typing snipping in the Search programs and files box
The Snipping Tool will appear in the Start-up Menu
Select the Snipping Tool icon

Title: Screenshot of how to access the Snipping Tool from the Start Menu - Description: Screenshot of how to access the Snipping Tool from the Start Menu

The snipping tool window will open similar to image below and your monitor may be slightly greyed out. Select Rectangular Snip from the New dropdown list.

Select the Rectangular Snip in Vista

Your mouse pointer will become a + and you can drag it around the area you’d like to copy while holding the left mouse button, and dragging a rectangular box around the area as shown below.

Title: Screenshot of selecting an area to copy with the snipping tool - Description: Screenshot of selecting an area to copy with the snipping tool

When your selection is complete it will open up in a new window.

Choose Edit > Copy or Click the Copy Icon
Paste into an email, document, etc.

Send in email as Attachment – see following page.

Title: Screenshot of Snipping Tool window with the image capture - Description: Screenshot of Snipping Tool window with the image capture

Save the Selection

Select the Save Icon
Browse for place to save

Send Snipping Tool Image as an Attachment

Capture Image using the Snipping Tool
Select File à Send to à E-mail Recipient (as attachment)

Or Click the Copy Icon

Email will open with the Attached Image – Remember to Update the Subject Line

Additional Options

Try additional options from the Icons menu:

Pen Tool
Highlighting Tool
Eraser