Capture only what you need with Snipping Tool
Choose a region, window, or full screen with Windows + Shift + S, then check for sensitive details and save location.
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Set up the view
Press Windows+Shift+S to choose a rectangle, freeform, window, or full-screen capture. A window capture is useful for a specific dialog; a rectangle can show a menu while excluding unrelated content. Depending on the keyboard setting, Print Screen may open the capture overlay or copy the entire screen. If the key behaves differently than expected, check Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and the Print Screen option rather than assuming the capture failed.
A practical workflow
A capture is copied to the clipboard; selecting its notification opens the Snipping Tool editor. Crop to the relevant region, add a pen mark or arrow if it clarifies a step, then check the file name and save location. Before pasting directly into chat or email, confirm the intended recipient and destination field. Windows+Shift+R opens video snipping on supported versions, but the visible controls can vary with the Snipping Tool version and Windows build.
Practitioner perspective
Microsoft Support documents capture modes and the editor’s save and share workflow. Windows Central’s Snipping Tool guide walks through shortcuts and post-capture controls. For a useful support report, show only the relevant area and annotate the action that produced the issue. A screenshot can also copy notification previews, browser URLs, account names, or internal documents into a shareable image. Inspect the crop before sending, especially when the desktop contains customer or work information.
Exceptions and recovery
Some newer AI-assisted capture options are limited to Copilot+ PCs, and video options depend on the installed app and Windows version. If a control is missing, check for Snipping Tool updates and confirm the build before installing another utility. Follow any workplace capture restrictions. If sensitive information entered the image, cancel the share or create a new crop; also consider the saved file and clipboard copy, since deleting one does not necessarily remove the other.