I’m a huge fan of free software, and usually for screenshots I use something called ScreenHunter 5. But, since getting a new laptop with Windows 7, I’m finding myself using the included Snipping Tool a lot more!
You’ll find the Snipping Tool in your start menu, under Accessories. It’s pretty self explanatory, but I’ve made a little video to show you how you’d use it:
I like that instead of automatically saving the clip as an image and placing it in some folder where I have to hunt it down, it just opens the clip in a window, where I have the option of saving wherever I want, with my choice of file type and name. I can also copy to the clipboard, email, or discard the image. And, if I don’t like it, I can just snip again!
Yes Erica, one of those small little hidden gems. Surprising not many people are aware of this.
Robert, if you have Windows 7, check the #WindowsMoms hashtag on
Twitter! A couple other ladies are posting some really cool tutorials on
stuff!!
Thanks Erica, I might just do that.
Don’t want to start a mac vs. pc debate – but one of my fav shortcuts on the mac is the command+shift+4 to grab a quick screenshot to your desktop. Saves a step (no program to open). Wonder if there is a similar shortcut to do the snip tool in windows?
Yes, PC’s have a Print Screen button, but like yours, it does the full
screen, then you’d need to open and crop the image, then save again. I
like this for little stuff, where I need to crop something specific.
Actually Command+Shift+4 isn’t a print screen – it brings up a crosshairs and allows you to select exactly what you want & saves that snippet to your desktop. if you throw an alt in there then it just copies to your clipboard.
I love the snipping tool – I’ve used it lots. Really easy.
Yes! I’m loving it too! So nice to be able to save where I want it, and
name it the way I want!!
[...] Erica Says has a very good tutorial on how to use the built-in capture tool, called snippet, in windows 7. [...]
I love the Snipping Toll but am very frustrated that it takes an extra step in order to print your snip. Does anyone know a way to print directly from the snipping tool?
Can I print directly from the snippet tool?
Unfortunately, no, but you can save as jpeg and print that!