How good is Windows 11's new screen capturing app Snipping Tool?
Microsoft plans to launch its Windows 11 operating system later this year. Some default applications that are available in Windows 10 will be updated in the process. The Snipping Tool becomes the new screenshot taking application on Windows 11; reason enough to check it out and find out how good it actually is. Is it good enough to replace dedicated screenshot capturing programs such as PicPick or SnagIt, and how does it compare to the two screenshots app of Windows 10, Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch?
Microsoft maintains two screenshot apps on Windows 10. The original Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch, which it introduced later on as a replacement for the classic tool. In fact, when you open the Snipping Tool on Windows 10, you will see a message stating that it will be replaced with the Snip & Sketch tool eventually. It is unclear if this is ever going to happen though.
A quick comparison of the classic Snipping Tool of Windows 10 with the new Snipping Tool of Windows 11 reveals that the classic tool appears to have been the blueprint for the new screenshot tool. In fact, the new tool looks like a modern version of the classic tool on first glance.
Screenshots are saved automatically using a generic name and an increasing number. You can reset the screenshot count number.
Here is a screenshot of the classic Snipping Tool, and below that is a screenshot of the Windows 11 Snipping Tool.
The menu looks nearly identical: you get the new, mode and delay options in the new tool. Cancel and options are missing, but you get a link to the settings when you select the three-dots icon in the interface.
Compare the new interface to the Snip & Sketch tool, displayed below.
The look and feel of the main interface resembles the classic tool. When you open the settings on the other hand, you will notice that Microsoft has taken them from the Snip & Sketch tool instead, even though most options are similar.
The classic Snipping Tool's settings include seven options, including the default option to include URLs below snips automatically. The option is missing from the Snip & Sketch options and also from the options of the new Snipping Tool of Windows 11. In fact, the options of the new Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch are identical, except for the option to change the app theme of the new Snipping Tool.
But what about functionality?
The capturing modes of the new Snipping Tool are identical to those of the classic Snipping Tool and also Snip & Sketch. The delay options have been changed to 3, 5 and 10 seconds. The classic tool supported delays between 1 and 5 seconds, the Snip & Sketch tool delays of 3 and 10 seconds.
All three tools copy the captured screenshot to the clipboard by default and display it in a basic editor. The editor of the Windows 11 Snipping Tool resembles that of the Snip & Sketch tool of Windows 10.
The main toolbar offers identical options, but some icons have been moved. The undo/redo buttons are now displayed in the center of the toolbar instead of on the left side. All capturing options are available right on the toolbar in the new Snipping Tool for easier access.
Closing Words and verdict
The new Snipping Tool looks like the child of the classic Snipping Tool and the Snip & Sketch tool. It is a good decision to launch a single screenshot tool in Windows 11 and not two tools, as it removes confusion. The functionality has not changed, and that means that the new Snipping Tool remains a basic option. It may be good enough for the occasional screenshot, but if you need more options, e.g. to capture scrolling windows or better editing options, you still need to look elsewhere.
Now You: which screenshot tool do you use?
There is not still W11 23H2 and these instructions are nonsense by now. :[
It worked for me just fine. You’re probably not following the instructions clearly.
Just tried the password option and the OOBE option and didnt work.
Worked perfectly. Thank OP.
Worked perfectly for me just now. Specifically, the regedit option.
Is this cut and paste from a Microsoft PR paper, because it 1000% BS:
“By listening to user insights, Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to refining the Windows experience based on real-world needs.”
Windows 11 is proof they don’t give a s*it.
Worked for me just now
I agree! Windows 11 was a downgrade to me and I kept all 8 computers in our family on Windows 10 as a result. They didn’t listen to any customers. The taskbar was THE main reason I stayed away from Windows 11. With 6 monitors, it is impossible to navigate so many browser tabs, without the feature. I will try the new version in the virtual box to see if it is worth it yet.
Microsoft did a terrible job with this implementation.
They simply need to employ the creator of StartAllBack to fix Windows. He is smarter and more talented than the entire campus of Microsoft employees.
lol
Thank you so much! I work in IT and this is extremely useful information!
Thanks man. The second method worked great!
I used the second method, and i got exactly what i expected.
Using the Bypass 2: Use a banned email address email worked fantastically as I had gone to far to use the bypass 1.
I will be back when I next have a problem.
Keep you the great work
W11 File Explorer is the worst crap ever done. W11 is the biggest shame ever.
Just one more reason for me to go to Linux when Windows 10 ages out.
@ MarineRecon,
Be careful which Linux distro you choose. Some of them don’t include the Wayland protocol which is a security issue i.e. apps can copy, paste and inject data without user interaction.
It’s included in Fedora: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/system-administrators-guide/Wayland/
How about a DARK MODE for your website? That would be oh so nice.
Something like this : [https://img.justpaste.me/image/8617] maybe?
Done with ‘Dark Reader Extension for ? Firefox’ [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/darkreader/]
This comment was written on [https://www.ghacks.net/windows-11-installation-has-failed-how-to-fix-this-upgrade-error/#comment-4573155}
Definitely NOT! Once you get older and your eyesight starts to fail you’ll positively loathe dark mode.
Not sure what eye problems *you’re* having, but for me the exact opposite is true. Dark Mode is MUCH easier on my Eyes.
BTW- I’m 52, and have worked in IT all my life. Been staring at monitors for hours each day, most days of the week since the late 1980’s.
Microsoft completely ruined File Explorer by converting to XAML/WinUI/whatever new bloated modern garbage. Its worse than it ever was.
i tested it on win10 current edition. speeds up explorer like a charm
SO what is the priority numbers to give preference to ethernet over wireless?
Worked very well happy to have Windows Photo Viewer back in action in Windows-11
Worked for me (registry option) thank god, I can use the search option to find things on my computer again. Thank you so much!
Install Everything Search and dispense with Microsoft’s crappy search tool. https://www.voidtools.com/
Martin wrote an article on it: https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/09/add-everything-search-to-the-windows-taskbar-for-even-faster-searches/
I presume the text “WindowsCopilot,,” is a typographical error (2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/). The broken comment system unfortunately looks like it is populating itself via AI autopilot.
Hopefully, this Windows Copilot nonsense fails even more spectacularly than Cortana. Who requested this? We want all of the UX features removed back in 11, not this copilot nonsense.
I really don’t mind all of these Windows enhancement but Microsoft get one thing very wrong. ‘Opt in’, is far better than seek information and work to disable.
Turn off Windows Copilot entirely is not good enough.
How to uninstall Copilot entirely ?
@ ilev,
Use Gpedit or the registry. Explained in this article: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/
With that snake oil salesman Panos gone, hopefully Windows can return to a normal desktop operating system without all the insanity it has right now in Windows 11.
Can we please stop being ‘politically correct’ (lying) and call them ads again instead of ‘suggestions’?
@ Martin,
Does your gpedit hack also turn off all the other “subscribed content” shown in the registry screenshot? Do you happen to know what all those are?
Thank you, I used the fake email option, it worked great.