Guide: Snipping Tool vs Snip and Sketch: Comparison and Review
The easiest way to take screenshots on Windows is to use the PrtScn key. But it’s also annoying because you have to paste the screenshot into another tool to use it. Fortunately, Windows 7 came with a good screenshot tool known as Snipping Tool. Just as I got used to it, Microsoft was pushing a new update, and suddenly there is now another tool known as Snip & Sketch on my Windows 10 based laptop Snip & Sketch gives the impression that Snipping Tool and Screen Sketch (another screenshot tool part of Windows Ink Workspace) came together and had a baby. That’s because it’s the features of both tools. Although Screen Sketch is no longer installed on a Windows PC, Snipping Tools is from now on along with Snip & Sketch. You may be wondering what this new tool is and how it differs from our beloved Snipping Tool. You will get your answer in this post where we compare Snip & Sketch and Snipping Tool. Let’s get started right away.
Compatibility and Availability
The Snip & Sketch tool is available on Windows 10 desktops and laptops with January build and above. Unlike Snipping Tool, you can also download and install it from Microsoft Store. Download Snip & Sketch Snipping Tool runs on previous versions of Windows. It’s also currently installed on the January build, but the app clearly says that only Snip & Sketch will be available in the future.
Ways to open
You can only start Snipping Tool from the Start menu or using the shortcut on the desktop. On the other hand, Microsoft offers several ways to start Snip & Sketch. First, you can launch it from the start menu, similar to any app. Second, you will find it under Action Center. Click on it to take screenshots. Tip Press WinKey + A to open Action Center.
You can also use the WinKey + Shift + S shortcut to take screenshots directly from any app. Finally, you can also assign it to the PrtScn key. To do that, go to Settings> Accessibility> Keyboard. Turn on the switch for the Print Screen shortcut.
Design and user interface
Snipping Tool has been a part of Windows for a long time and therefore has the same old interface with File, Edit and other options. The various icons such as New, Delay, Mode, etc. are present under these options.
The Snip & Sketch tool is part of the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) and as such offers a modern design, similar to other Microsoft apps for Windows 10. You will find the new screenshot button on the left with several pens in the middle. On the right side, you have the settings and sharing options.
Further, when you resize the app, the different icons align to fit the available space, with some even taking up the bottom bar.
The work is the same
In the Snipping tool, as you can only access it with one method i.e. directly through the app, you have to click on the New button button in the app to take a screenshot. Even though you can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + N, but that only works when the app is open. Fortunately, when you take a screenshot, it will open directly in the app where you can annotate and save.
On the contrary, while you are using the New button (or Ctrl + N shortcut) when the app is open is a way to take a screenshot in Snip & Sketch, it also provides a direct, quick way. That is, when you use the keyboard shortcut WinKey + Shift + S, PrtScn key, or the Action Center icon, the screen will dim and you will find screen modes (rectangular, freeform, full screen) at the top for taking custom screenshots. Select the one you like. Tip Use the Tab key on your keyboard to navigate between modes. Press the Enter key to select the mode.
Once you do this, you will be notified and the screenshot will be copied to your clipboard. You have to tap the notification to open the editor and only you can save it.
Both apps do not automatically save the screenshot. But at least in Snipping Tool, the screenshot would open directly in the app. In the Snip & Sketch, the overall process is long if you use the above three methods. On the other hand, each screenshot opens in a separate Crop and Sketch window, so you can work on multiple screenshots at the same time. That is not possible with the Snipping Tool.
Annotation tools
Snipping Tool is limiting when it comes to marking tools. You only get a pen and highlighter with limited color options. In the Snip & Sketch tool you get a pencil in addition to a pen and highlighter. It also provides many colors for all highlighting modes. Tip Click on the small arrow below the pen to change the size and color.
Ruler and protractor
I don’t know who advises Microsoft developers on it featuresAny screenshot tool should have basic tools such as shapes, arrows and text. Unfortunately, they are all missing from the Snipping Tool. While Snip & Sketch is no better, it provides a ruler and a protractor to draw straight lines and a circle. It reminds you of the geometry class. Come on Microsoft! Give us the right tools. On the other hand, you can measure lines and angles with it. Tip Hover over the shell or protector and use the middle one button to rotate it. Scroll on the touchpad up and down with two fingers.
Crop the image
Sometimes the screenshot we take is too big. In Snipping Tool, you should take a new screenshot if the size was not your choice. Fortunately, in Snip & Sketch you can crop the image after it has been captured. To do that, click on the crop icon at the top and select the area you want to crop. Then press the Enter key.
Open the existing file
Not only can you take and edit screenshots with the new Snip & Sketch, but you can also use it to annotate old photos. To do this, launch the app and click on the open file icon. Then select the image. The feature missing from Snipping Tool.
Delay
One of the coolest features of Snipping Tool is that it provides a delay time before the screenshot is taken. While the same feature also created the Snip & Sketch tool, it offers a smaller number of delay options. That is, you can choose anywhere from 1-5 seconds in the Snipping Tool. But in Snip & Sketch the possibilities are limited to just 3 and 10 seconds.
Touch Support
The Cut and Sketch tool supports touch. If you own a touchscreen laptop you can use your fingers or a digital pen to draw on the screenshots and also to rotate the scale and protractor. For that, you need to enable the touch writing option at the top. The Snipping Tool is not touch friendly.
Window Cut
With Snipping Tool you can take a screenshot of any open window. That is, the tool will automatically detect the selected window without manual selection. I use it all the time to take screenshots for my posts. Unfortunately, the feature is currently missing from the Snip & Sketch. however, the feature was recently seen in the Windows Insider build and will hopefully be available to everyone soon. Tip Use the keyboard shortcut Alt + PrtScn to capture the active window. The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard. That’s an old Windows feature independent of Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch.
Window overview
Another feature missing from the Snip & Sketch tool is the border that is automatically applied after taking a screenshot in the Snipping Tool. Fortunately, that has also appeared in the Windows Insider build and may soon make it into the regular build as well.
Day, day Snipping program
Snip & Sketch is a slightly improved version of the Snipping Tool. However, Microsoft still has a lot to do in terms of a good screenshot tool. Just modernizing the interface makes no sense. The simple features such as text, shapes, arrows, scrolling screenshots, etc. are missing from both tools. You don’t have to be an Einstein to implement them. It’s Microsoft we’re talking about here. Hope the future updates bring much needed features to the Snip & Sketch app. Meanwhile, you can use the third-party apps to take screenshots on Windows. The next up The Windows 10 operating system is huge and quite confusing at times. So check out our handy list of 19 cool ones tips and tricks you should know that.
Snipping Tool vs Snip and Sketch: Comparison and Review: benefits
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