ReviewsSnipping Tool

Snipping Tool's details haven't been fully verified yet and may change.

Snipping Tool review

Snipping Tool comes with Windows 11. Besides screenshots, it records a part of the screen you select, with computer sound and an optional microphone voiceover.

By . Updated .

Works on
Windows
Free recording
No documented limit
Price
Free
Made by
Microsoft
Last checked
October 2026

Free plan

Length per recording
None documented
Number of videos
None documented
Watermark
No

Pricing

Free.

Comes with Windows 11. Facts from Microsoft Support and Microsoft's Windows sites, 6 Oct 2026.

What we like

  • Built into Windows 11; Windows + Shift + R starts a video snip
  • Records any part of the screen you select
  • Records computer sound and a microphone voiceover; recordings save automatically

What to watch

  • Video snips documented for Windows 11 only
  • Editing happens in Clipchamp, a separate app
  • No webcam overlay

Best for: You're on Windows 11 and want a quick recording of part of your screen with a voiceover, with nothing to install.

Our verdict

Snipping Tool is enough for a short recording of part of your Windows 11 screen: a bug, a quick how-to or a few steps in an app. Press Windows + Shift + R, drag a box, record with your microphone if you want a voiceover, and the file saves to Videos > Screen Recordings.

It is a capture tool first. Microsoft documents no webcam overlay, and editing means opening the recording in Clipchamp, a separate video editor. For recording a game or a single app with background recording, Windows also has Xbox Game Bar.

When you need more, use a recorder with a share link such as Loom or ScreenPal for work messages, a full-featured recorder such as OBS Studio or ShareX for more control, or an editor such as Camtasia for polished tutorials.

Visit the Snipping Tool website

Frequently asked questions

How do I record my screen with Snipping Tool?
Press Windows + Shift + R, or open Snipping Tool and select Record, then New. Select the area, select Start, and select Stop when you’re done.
Can Snipping Tool record audio?
Yes. Since Microsoft’s September 2023 Windows 11 update, screen recordings can capture computer sound and your microphone, so you can add a voiceover.
Where are Snipping Tool recordings saved?
In Videos > Screen Recordings.

Compare Snipping Tool

Sources

  1. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-snipping-tool-to-capture-screenshots-00246869-1843-655f-f220-97299b865f6b
  2. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/learning-center/how-to-use-snipping-tool-on-windows-screenshots-shortcuts-and-screen-recordings
  3. https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2023/08/31/new-updates-for-snipping-tool-and-notepad-for-windows-insiders/
  4. https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2023/09/26/the-most-personal-windows-11-experience-begins-rolling-out-today/