Snip and Sketch Beginner Guide: Master Windows Key + Shift + S

This snip and sketch beginner guide teaches you everything about Windows’ modern screenshot tool. Snip & Sketch replaced the old Snipping Tool in Windows 10 and Windows 11. It is faster, easier, and includes better annotation features. The keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S opens the capture toolbar instantly. You can capture a rectangle, freeform shape, window, or full screen. After capture, you annotate, save, copy, or share.

For the basics of other screenshot methods, see our pillar post how to screenshot on pc. This guide focuses exclusively on Snip & Sketch.

How to Open Snip & Sketch

There are three ways to open Snip & Sketch:

1. Keyboard shortcut (fastest): Press Windows Key + Shift + S.
2. Search: Type “Snip & Sketch” in the Windows search bar and click the app.
3. Action Center: Click the notification icon (bottom right corner), then expand to find the Screen snip button.

The keyboard shortcut is the most convenient. Once you memorize it, you will never need the other methods.

The Capture Toolbar (What Appears After Pressing Windows + Shift + S)

When you press Windows + Shift + S, your screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top of your screen. It has four icons:

Icon	Name	What It Does
Rectangle	Rectangular Snip	Drag a rectangle around any area
Freeform	Freeform Snip	Draw any shape (circle, squiggle, etc.)
Window	Window Snip	Click a specific open window to capture it
Fullscreen	Fullscreen Snip	Captures your entire screen

Select one of the four modes. Then capture the area. After capture, a notification appears. Click the notification to open the Snip & Sketch editor.

For a comparison of when to use each mode, see our which screenshot method to use on windows guide.

How to Capture a Rectangular Snip (Most Common)

The rectangular snip is the most frequently used mode.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. Click the Rectangle icon (first one).
3. Click and drag your mouse diagonally across the area you want to capture. A red border outlines your selection.
4. Release the mouse button. The area is captured and copied to your clipboard.
5. A notification appears: “Snip saved to clipboard. Select to edit or save.”
6. Click the notification to open the editor.

Tip: To cancel a capture after starting, press the Esc key before releasing the mouse.

How to Use Freeform Snip

Freeform snip lets you draw any shape. The captured area is the shape you drew, not a rectangle.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. Click the Freeform icon (second one).
3. Click and hold the mouse button. Draw a circle, squiggle, or outline around your target.
4. Release the mouse button. The area inside your drawn line is captured.
5. Click the notification to edit.

Freeform is useful for capturing irregularly shaped objects, like a logo or a button that is not in a perfect rectangle.

How to Capture a Specific Window

The window snip captures an entire application window. It automatically detects the edges.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. Click the Window icon (third one).
3. Hover your mouse over any open window. A red border appears around the window.
4. Click the window. It captures instantly.
5. Click the notification to edit.

This mode is perfect for capturing an error message dialog box or a browser window without including your desktop background.

How to Take a Full Screen Snip

The fullscreen snip captures everything on your monitor. If you have multiple monitors, it captures all of them in one wide image.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. Click the Fullscreen icon (fourth one).
3. Your entire screen is captured immediately. No clicking and dragging.
4. Click the notification to edit.

This is faster than using Windows + PrtSc because it automatically opens the editor for annotation.

The Snip & Sketch Editor (After You Click the Notification)

Once you click the notification, the Snip & Sketch editor opens. It displays your captured image. The toolbar at the top has several tools:

Tool	Icon	What It Does
Ballpoint pen	Pen with dot	Draws smooth lines (customizable thickness and color)
Ballpoint pen (alt)	Pen with arrow	Same, but different stroke style
Pencil	Pencil icon	Draws rough, sketchy lines
Highlighter	Marker icon	Semi‑transparent yellow (or other colors)
Eraser	Eraser icon	Removes your pen, pencil, and highlighter marks
Ruler	Ruler icon	Displays a virtual ruler to draw straight lines
Protractor	Half‑circle icon	Virtual protractor for angles
Crop	Two right angles	Cuts out unwanted parts
Undo	Left curved arrow	Reverses your last action
Redo	Right curved arrow	Repeats the undone action
Save	Floppy disk	Saves the snip as a file
Copy	Two overlapping squares	Copies to clipboard
Share	Three dots with lines	Opens Windows share panel

For help using these tools, see our edit screenshots with snipping tool guide (the annotation tools are very similar).

How to Annotate Your Snip

After capturing, you usually want to add notes, circles, or arrows.

Steps to annotate:

1. In the editor, select the Ballpoint pen or Pencil.
2. Click the small arrow next to the pen to change color and thickness.
3. Draw on the image.
4. Use the Highlighter to mark text.
5. Use the Eraser to remove mistakes.
6. Press Ctrl + Z to undo the last action.

Tip: For straight lines, use the Ruler tool. Click Ruler, then draw along its edge with a pen. The line will be perfectly straight.

How to Crop a Snip

Cropping removes parts of the image you do not need.

Steps:

1. In the editor, click the Crop icon.
2. Drag the white handles (corners and edges) to select the area you want to keep.
3. Click the Crop icon again (or press Enter) to apply.
4. To cancel, click the X outside the crop area or press Esc.

Tip: Crop before you annotate. If you crop after drawing, your annotations may shift or be cut off.

How to Save Your Snip

After capturing and editing, you need to save the file.

Steps:

1. Click the Save icon (floppy disk) or press Ctrl + S.
2. Choose a folder (e.g., Desktop, Pictures, or a project folder).
3. Name your file (e.g., bug_report_2026.png).
4. Choose file type: PNG (best for screenshots, lossless) or JPEG (smaller file, slightly blurry text).
5. Click Save.

Snip & Sketch does not save automatically. You must save each snip manually. For organizing saved files, see our organizing screenshots on pc guide.

How to Copy to Clipboard Without Saving

Sometimes you just want to paste the snip into an email, chat, or document without saving a file.

Steps:

1. After capture, click the notification to open the editor.
2. Click the Copy icon (two overlapping squares) or press Ctrl + C.
3. Close the editor.
4. Open your email or chat. Press Ctrl + V to paste.

You can also press Windows + Shift + S, capture, then immediately press Ctrl + V in your destination without opening the notification. The snip is automatically copied to your clipboard. This is the fastest workflow.

How to Change Snip & Sketch Settings

You can adjust a few settings. Open Snip & Sketch, click the three dots (···) in the top‑right corner, then select Settings.

Useful settings:

• Snip outline – adds a red border around your snip when you capture.
• Save snips automatically – no, Snip & Sketch does not have this feature. You must save manually.
• Use Print Screen key to open screen snip – toggle this on. Then pressing PrtSc alone opens Snip & Sketch. This is a great alternative to Windows + Shift + S.

For a full settings guide, see our customizing snip and sketch settings cluster post (placeholder).

Common Problems and Solutions

Snip & Sketch does not open when I press Windows + Shift + S?

• Make sure your Windows is up to date. The shortcut was added in 2018.
• Check if another app is using the same shortcut.
• Try opening Snip & Sketch manually, then test the shortcut again.

The notification disappears before I click it?

• Notifications auto‑close after a few seconds. Open Snip & Sketch from the Start menu instead. Your last snip will be waiting for you.

My snip is blank (black)?

• Some apps (Netflix, games in exclusive full‑screen) block screenshots. Use Game Bar instead: Windows + G.
• For games, see our using game bar for screenshots.

I want a delay timer like the old Snipping Tool.

• Snip & Sketch does not have a delay. For delay, use the classic Snipping Tool (search for it). Or press Windows + Shift + S, then wait before capturing.

For more fixes, see our screenshot not working troubleshooting.

The Bottom Line

This snip and sketch beginner guide has covered everything: the keyboard shortcut, the four capture modes, annotation tools, saving, and common fixes. Snip & Sketch is the best built‑in screenshot tool for most Windows users. It is faster than the old Snipping Tool and more flexible than Print Screen.

Commit the shortcut Windows + Shift + S to memory. Practice each capture mode once. Within a day, you will be capturing and annotating screenshots without thinking.

For more screenshot methods, see our how to screenshot on pc pillar post and our using game bar for screenshots guide.