How good is Windows 11's new screen capturing app Snipping Tool?

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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?
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