How to Use the Snipping Tool in Windows Vista

One of the coolest features in the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System is the snipping tool. Some of you may or may not be familiar with the Snipping Tool, but if you are used to using the Print Screen key in previous Windows versions then you’re already at a good starting point. The Snipping Tool has not replaced the Print Screen key in any way, instead it has made printing objects on your screen more flexible and fun. Read on if you’d like to learn how to use this neat little program

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PC Running Windows Vista

1. The goal here is to take a snapshot of an item or items on your screen. The Snipping Tool will allow for more flexibility in this process. So, pull something, anything up on your computer screen that you’d like to capture. You will be making a snippet of the item that you want to capture. Here we go: The first thing you’re going to do is open the Windows start menu. Look down on your computer keyboard and locate the “WINDOWS” key. When you press the Windows key the “START” menu will open up.

2. The Next thing you’re going to is look down to the bottom of the “START” menu and locate and click the “ALL PROGRAMS” option. Upon completion of this task, the start menu will be replaced with an alphabetized list of all software programs loaded on your computer.

3. From the All Programs list you’re going to locate the “ACCESSORIES” folder. Once you find the Accessories folder, click it and an expanded list of programs will populate.

4. Next, you’ll want to locate the “SNIPPING TOOL” option. BUT, before you do, let me tell you what to expect. The Snipping Tool will immediately appear, and the contents on your computer screen will become covered in a transparent film. Go ahead and click the Snipping Tool option now.

5. Now you should see what I was talking about in the last step. I know it looks kind of odd, but your computer is just fine. This is what it is supposed to look like. So, the very first option on the Snipping Tool accessory is an option marked “NEW” it should have a graphic of a pair of scissors next to it. Go ahead and click the down arrow to move on to the next step.

6. There are four types of snips that you can make with this tool. In this lesson we’ll cover the first one. After you’re done learning how to use the first tool, you’ll be able to easily discover on your own how to use the others. So, here we go. The first Snipping Tool is the “FREE FORM SNIP,” click it to move on.

7. Once you’ve clicked the Free Form Snip option, as you move your cursor you will notice that the cursor arrow has been replaced with a pair of scissors. Take the scissors make a circle around anything on your computer screen. You will see a red mark where you are circling (cutting/choosing). Once you have circled your desired onscreen item you can release the mouse.

8. Next, you will see that your choice has appeared in an expanded version of the Snipping Tool. From here you will want to save your snip. Click the “SAVE” option (floppy disk graphic) on the Snipping Tool.

9. Your “SAVE AS” option will appear and it will ask you to give your snip a name. From here you will notice that it is giving you the option to save it as a JPEG file. If you want it in some other picture format you can click the drop down arrow under “SAVE AS TYPE” and you will see the other picture file format options (PING, GIF, & MHT). Once you’ve made your choice you can click “SAVE” to move ahead. Make sure to look up top at the file path to see where your snip is being saved.

10. 
    Great Job! Two Thumbs Up!

    After you’ve completed the step above you are officially done making your snip. To see what you have done you can open up the folder where you sent your new snip. If you missed it for some reason just open up the Start Menu and search for the name that you just gave your snip. In any event, locate your snip and look at what you’ve just done. Neat isn’t it? Now that you know how to use the Snipping tool, you can go back and play with the three other types of snipping options.

Tips & Warnings

• Go slow at first and you'll get it in no time flat!

[megamum5]

on 10/2/2009 Thanks! Excellent step-by-step guide. Very cool!

[jenicoe2001]

on 8/17/2009 great article on How to Use the Snipping Tool in Windows Vista! 5*R I didn't know anything about the Snipping Tool!! I will be using it, now!

[alienangel555]

on 2/20/2009 Really great directions.5

[copperhill]

on 2/20/2009 Fantastic article. We just got Vista. This is something I needed and now know how to do. This article is what eHow is all about!

[sneedc]

on 12/25/2008 You taught me here today with the snipping tool (and I thought that was solely reserved for men not wanting kids anymore!). Thanks, and 5*