Microsoft Introduces New Snipping Tool for Windows
Microsoft has announced the release of a new snipping tool, marking the latest update to the Windows operating system. This tool, which is designed for quick and easy screenshot capture, traces its roots back to the Vista era. The new snipping tool program release candidates can finally be seen alongside OneNote.
To accommodate users’ familiarization with the new tool, Microsoft has merged the snipping tool with OneNote. This allows users to use the snipping tool as a note within a note (yes, nested notes). Microsoft has indicated that this is just the first stage of the testing process, with future updates expected to further integrate the new snipping tool into OneNote’s functionality. Users will also have the option to pin the new snipping tool to the taskbar or use the new “Win+Alt+S” keyboard shortcut to launch the application.
Apart from offering a modernized interface that complements the overall Windows aesthetic, this new application also introduces convenient features such as the ability to more precisely annotate and markup content and capture webpages, linking the screenshot to the webpage for later reference without the need to navigate back to the original source.
Additionally, the snipping tool offers a range of customization options including the ability to create multiple snips, customize colors, and set internal file formats for cross-platform compatibility (an important consideration as the OneNote app on iOS and Android continues to gain popularity and usefulness for users on the go). While Microsoft has not made any announcements about adding snipping tool integration with Copilot or any other AI-driven features, it is worth noting that the existing snipping tool has been integrated into the Microsoft 365 Insider preview version of OneNote for Windows 2402.
As with any new feature rollout, this change will be gradual and will be met with varying levels of adoption from users. However, it is clear that Microsoft is committed to providing users with a convenient and efficient snipping tool experience.