Snipping Tool Archives

Winsage

July 10, 2025

Windows 11 now lets you remove unwanted Microsoft apps natively

Microsoft is preparing to release a significant update for Windows 11, designated as 25H2, which will include a new feature that allows users to easily remove unwanted Microsoft applications through a group policy. This update aims to enhance system performance by reducing clutter. Users will be able to remove applications such as Feedback Hub, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Microsoft Teams, and others without needing external tools or complex commands. The feature is expected to debut with the Windows 11 25H2 update, and currently, select users can test it in preview builds. It will allow the removal of standard Microsoft Store packages but will not extend to third-party software. There is uncertainty about whether this feature will be available to Windows 11 Home users or limited to the Pro version.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Windows 11 25H2 has a new option to remove all unwanted Microsoft apps

The upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update will introduce a new policy called the Remove Default Microsoft Store Packages, which allows users to remove unwanted Microsoft applications in a single action through Group Policy. This feature aims to simplify the process of debloating Windows 11, which has historically been cumbersome. Users can find this setting under Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > App Package Deployment. The policy currently supports the removal of various Microsoft applications but does not extend to third-party software. While initial tests show the policy functions as intended, further refinement is needed to address issues like orphaned shortcuts. This feature will not be available to Windows 11 Home users.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

I used Winaero to customize Windows, and here’s how it went

Winaero Tweaker is a free application that offers a suite of tools for customizing Windows 11, organized into sections for appearance, behavior, and more. It allows users to enable or disable features such as the Copilot and automatic updates, modify Windows Explorer options, and enhance visual settings. Users can enable the classic full context menu, modify the Windows Explorer Window, resize scroll bars, and prevent Windows themes from changing mouse pointers and desktop icons. The Context Menu Tweaker allows customization of right-click options, adding shortcuts for functions like the Control Panel and Snipping Tool. Winaero also provides tools for modifying support and maintenance settings, including automatic registry backups and creating multiple System Restore points. It offers features to restore classic Windows functionalities and install legacy applications. While Winaero presents many options to enhance the user experience, users should be cautious as some features may pose security risks or performance issues. The application includes a Recent Changes feature for reviewing modifications and reverting to default settings if necessary.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Windows Snipping Tool now lets you create animated GIF recordings

Microsoft has updated its Snipping Tool to include the ability to export animated GIF recordings. This feature is being rolled out to Windows 11 Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels with version 11.2505.21.0. Users can create GIFs from screen recordings, but videos longer than 30 seconds will be truncated to the first 30 seconds for GIF export. To create a GIF, users can access the screen recorder with Win + Shift + R, and after recording, they can click the 'Export GIF' button. They can choose between low and high GIF quality and copy the GIF to the clipboard or save it. Additionally, Microsoft has tested an AI-powered 'perfect screenshot' tool and introduced a Text Extractor feature, along with a draw & hold feature and a trim capability for screen recordings.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Windows 11’s Snipping Tool now creates DIY animated GIFs

Microsoft has enhanced the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, allowing users to create animated GIFs directly from the application. This feature can be accessed using the Win + Shift + R shortcut and is currently available for Windows Insiders in the Dev and Canary channels. The Snipping Tool now includes a "Create GIF" option, enabling users to record a selected screen area and save the animation as a GIF or share it directly. Users can export GIFs in "low" or "high quality," with a maximum length of 30 seconds, after which they can export as MP4. The feature supports multi-monitor setups and is exclusive to Insider versions of Windows 11 from build 11.2405.24.0, with a broader rollout anticipated in the summer.

Winsage

June 20, 2025

Microsoft begins testing built-in GIF maker on Windows 11

Microsoft is enhancing the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 by introducing a feature that allows users to create GIFs. This feature is currently in early testing with Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels, with a broader rollout expected soon. Users can select a specific area of their screen to record and then convert the recorded video into a looping GIF. The Snipping Tool will also allow users to choose between high and low resolution for their GIFs and includes a new text extraction mode for copying text from images, as well as a visual search feature for identifying items in screenshots.

Winsage

June 19, 2025

GIF export in Snipping Tool begins rolling out to Windows Insiders

A new update for the Snipping Tool (version 11.2505.21.0) is now available for users in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11. This update introduces a GIF export feature for screen recordings, allowing users to transform captures into shareable GIFs. Users can access the screen recorder by pressing Win + Shift + R or launching the app and switching to screen recording mode. After recording, a preview appears, and users can click the “Export GIF” button to choose GIF quality and save or copy the GIF. GIF export is limited to videos of 30 seconds or less, with the tool automatically exporting only the first 30 seconds for longer recordings.

Winsage

June 19, 2025

Microsoft Drops New Windows 11 Builds for Canary and Release Preview Testers

Microsoft has released two new Windows 11 preview builds for Insiders on the Canary and Release Preview Channels. The Canary build 27881 includes features such as: - Speech recap in Narrator for monitoring spoken content and live transcriptions. - A profanity filter setting for voice typing that can be disabled. - A redesigned needy state pill UI for taskbar icons. - An accessibility flyout in quick settings categorized by assistive technology types. - Enhanced Windows Share allowing image editing and sharing through the context menu. - A new FAQs section in Settings addressing common system questions. - Updated touch input visual design with "animating bubbles." ISOs for the Canary build 27881 are available for clean installs, and an updated Snipping Tool with GIF export is accessible for Insiders. The Windows 11 24H2 build 26100.4482 for the Release Preview Channel includes: - An option for the taskbar to automatically resize icons. - Enhanced Windows Share with visual previews and three image compression levels. - A Screen Curtain feature in Narrator for privacy. - A settings homepage tailored for managed PCs with enterprise features. - Updated app defaults in the EEA for selecting new default browsers. - A new PC-to-PC migration experience for transferring files and settings during setup. Additionally, Microsoft has released the Windows 11 23H2 Build 22631.5548, which addresses issues from a previous build, and Windows 10 Insiders can access build 19045.6033 to rectify issues from an earlier release.

Winsage

May 28, 2025

Windows 11’s Snipping Tool gets a handy upgrade it should’ve had from day one

Microsoft has updated the Snipping Tool in Windows 11 to version 11.2504.38.0, introducing a built-in color picker that allows users to determine exact color values from their screen in HEX, RGB, and HSL formats. The color picker operates by hovering a dropper icon over any area of the screen. Users can also zoom in or out for precision using Ctrl and the +/- keys. Additionally, an AI-powered feature called Perfect Screenshot intelligently resizes screenshots based on selected content. Users can access this feature through keyboard shortcuts by holding the Ctrl key while invoking the Snipping Tool. These features are currently being tested for Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels, with a gradual rollout expected.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Windows 11’s new Color Picker tool makes finding color codes a breeze

Windows 11 has introduced a new color picker tool that allows users to obtain HEX, RGB, and HSL color codes without third-party applications. This feature is part of an enhanced Snipping Tool, which includes automatic cropping and GIF conversion. Users can access the color picker by using the shortcut Win + Shift + S, where a dropper icon will appear, enabling them to hover over any color on their screen to see the corresponding color codes. This tool is currently in testing and available only to Windows Insiders with Snipping Tool version 11.2504.38.0 installed.