Snipping Tool

Snipping Tool
DeveloperMicrosoft
ReleaseNovember 7, 2002; 23 years ago (2002-11-07)
Stable release(s) [±]
Windows 11May 2026 Update (11.2605.31) / September 2, 2026; 54 days ago (2026-09-02)
Windows 10 (discontinued)August 2020 Update (10.2008.3001) / April 2, 2025; 18 months ago (2025-04-02)
Operating system
TypeScreenshot and screencast software
Websitesupport.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/open-snipping-tool-and-take-a-screenshot-a35ac9ff-4a58-24c9-3253-f12bac9f9d44 Edit this on Wikidata

Snipping Tool is a Microsoft Windows screenshot and screencast utility included in Windows Vista and later. It can take still screenshots or record videos of an open window, rectangular areas, a free-form area, or the entire screen. Snips can then be annotated using a mouse or a tablet, stored as an image file (PNG, GIF, or JPEG file) or an MHTML file, or e-mailed. The Snipping Tool allows for basic image editing of the snapshot, with different colored pens, an eraser, and a highlighter.

History

The Snipping Tool was originally released as a PowerToy for the Microsoft Tablet PC and included in the Experience Pack for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

It was developed by the Leszynski Group and lead developer Kollen Glynn. During development it was called Snippet, the name was changed to the Snipping Tool just before it was released. Microsoft was looking to develop a utility that showed the power of the stylus specifically via the free-form, non-rectangular screen capture. This free-form screen capture was demonstrated by Bill Gates on stage with actor Rob Lowe as part of the launch event for the Tablet PC on November 7, 2002.

Before Windows Vista, the tool would only run on the Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. From Windows Vista onwards, the tool was included in the main Windows code base without the Tablet PC-only restriction.

In Windows 10 version 1809, a new Universal app version of Snipping Tool known as Snip & Sketch was introduced. It was first named Screen Sketch, and was initially a component of the Windows Ink Workspace. Snipping Tool was modified to contain a notice warning of the application's deprecation, which encouraged users to move to Snip & Sketch. Despite this, the app was never removed from Windows 10.

In April 2021, Microsoft released Windows 10 Insider build 21354, which made the Snipping Tool updateable from the Microsoft Store by being packaged with Snip & Sketch.

Windows 11 insider build 22000.132, released on August 12, 2021, introduced an update to Snip & Sketch that renames it to Snipping Tool and ports it to WinUI 3.0 and brings an interface closer to the legacy Snipping Tool. The legacy snipping tool was removed with this build. Since the update on November 07, 2025, Snipping Tool has a screen recording function.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Snipping Tool". Microsoft Apps. Retrieved September 2, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots". Support. Microsoft. September 1, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition". Microsoft.com. November 7, 2002. Archived from the original on December 4, 2002. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  4. ↑ Chen, Jennifer (October 2, 2018). "Find out what's new in Windows and Office in October". Windows 10 Blog.
  5. ↑ Tung, Liam. "Windows 10 screen snipping tool: Microsoft gives it a new name, adds delay feature". ZDNet. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  6. ↑ Bott, Ed. "Windows 10 tip: How to use the new Snip & Sketch app for smart screenshots". ZDNet. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  7. ↑ Weatherbed, Jess (September 17, 2021). "Windows 11 gets updated Snipping Tool for better screenshots". TechRadar. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  8. ↑ Blog, Windows Insider (April 7, 2021). "Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 21354". Windows Insider Blog. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  9. ↑ Tung, Liam. "Windows 10: Paint and Snipping Tool now update from the Microsoft Store". ZDNet. Retrieved April 11, 2021.
  10. ↑ Blog, Windows Insider (August 12, 2021). "Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22000.132". Windows Insider Blog. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  11. ↑ Blog, Windows Insider (August 12, 2021). "First set of Windows app updates rolling out to Windows Insiders for Windows 11". Windows Insider Blog. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  12. ↑ Vipsama, Amar (September 17, 2021). "Windows 11 gets updated Snipping Tool for better screenshots". Geekswind. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  13. ↑ Hannemann, Patrick. "Snipping Tool". Chip. Retrieved May 31, 2023.