Snipping Tool: Capture, Extract Text, and Verify the Result

Capture, edit, extract text, and record videos directly from your screen with Windows 11's revamped Snipping Tool and built-in screen capture shortcuts.

1. Snipping Tool Keyboard Shortcuts Cheatsheet

2. Extracting Text from Images using Text Actions (OCR)

Windows 11 Snipping Tool includes AI-driven Optical Character Recognition. Simply click the Text Actions button after taking a screenshot to highlight, copy, or redact sensitive email addresses and phone numbers before sharing.

3. Screen Recording with Audio Instructions

1. Press Win + Shift + S and switch top mode toggle from Snip () to Record ().
2. Drag a bounding box over the video recording area.
3. Toggle microphone and system audio options on the top bar, then click Start.

Worked example and checks

Treat screenshots, text extraction, and screen recording as separate operations.

Start with the required output

If you need an image of an error, capture an image. If you need editable text from a supported capture, use the tool's text action separately. If you need to demonstrate movement, choose recording. A screenshot shortcut alone does not perform all three tasks.

Capture a small example

Open a sample page containing a heading, a number, and a short sentence. Use Win + Shift + S and select that region. Inspect the image before pasting or saving it. Check Snipping Tool settings for automatic saving and confirm the destination if you need a file.

Verify extracted text

If your installed version offers text actions, compare its output character by character with the image. Check digits, punctuation, and line breaks. A visually similar character can change a reference number. Keep the image available as evidence and do not assume OCR establishes the meaning of a table.

Test recording independently

Open the recording controls supported by your version and choose a small region. Make a short non-confidential recording. Play it back and check the selected microphone or audio options rather than assuming sound was captured. Stop the recording and verify the saved file before relying on it for a support request.

Reference and corrections

Official documentation for this topic. Check the version and platform covered by the source. Guidance revised 22 October 2026.

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