UPDATE 2/16: The below updates and new features for Snipping Tool and Notepad are now beginning to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Beta and Release Preview Channels. Hello Windows Insiders, today we are beginning to roll out updates to Snipping Tool and Notepad to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11.

Snipping Tool (version 11.2401.32.0)

With this update, we are adding the ability to add shapes to captures in Snipping Tool, so that you can quickly add rectangles, ovals, lines, and arrows to mark up your screenshots. [caption id="attachment_176852" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Snipping Tool window open with the new shapes toolbar active.[/caption] To get started, select the new shapes button in the toolbar, and select the desired shape (you can change the fill or outline color if you’d like). Click and drag anywhere over your image to draw a new shape. You can resize, move, or change your shape color before clicking away. Once the shape is deselected, it will merge with your image, but you can still remove shapes with the eraser tool or undo your annotations. FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Snipping Tool.

Notepad (version 11.2401.25.0)

In this update to Notepad, we are adding a new feature that helps you quickly understand content in your text files. With “Explain with Copilot”, you can ask Copilot in Windows to help explain log files, code segments, or any selected content directly from within Notepad. [caption id="attachment_176853" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Notepad app open showing new “Explain with Copilot” action on selected content.[/caption] To try it out, highlight any text, right-click, choose "Explain with Copilot" from the menu or use the new Ctrl + E keyboard shortcut, and a detailed explanation will appear in Copilot. This feature is available on devices that have Copilot in Windows, but there is a known issue where some users might not see this new feature in Notepad right away. FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Notepad. As always, we love getting feedback from the community and we will be looking out for your thoughts and suggestions on this update! Thanks, Dave Grochocki, Principal Product Manager Lead – Windows Inbox Apps

UPDATE 9/26: The below updates and new features for Snipping Tool are now beginning to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel (version 11.2308.37.0 and higher). UPDATE 9/21: The below updates and new features for Snipping Tool are now beginning to roll out to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel (version 11.2308.37.0). Hello Windows Insiders, today we are beginning to roll out updates to Snipping Tool to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels to improve the overall capture experience on Windows 11. We are also beginning to roll out a Phone Link update to all Window Insiders that introduces notification prompting to open capture in Snipping Tool for markup.

Text Actions with Snipping Tool

With this update to Snipping Tool (version 11.2308.33.0), we are introducing Text Actions, which detects text in your captured screenshots, making it easy to copy text from any image to share with others or paste in another app. To get started, click the Text Actions button in the toolbar to show selectable text before selecting and copying text with your mouse. You can also click the Copy all text button in the toolbar or use Ctrl + A and Ctrl + C to select and copy all text using your keyboard. [caption id="attachment_176568" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Snipping Tool showing selectable text in a screenshot.[/caption] With Text Actions, you can also redact sensitive information in screenshots before sharing. Select Quick Redact from the toolbar to automatically hide emails and phone numbers or select any text and select Redact Text from the right-click menu to hide the text. [caption id="attachment_176569" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Snipping Tool showing redacted text in a screenshot of a bank statement.[/caption] FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Snipping Tool.

Remote capture with Phone Link

We are also beginning to gradually roll out a new feature for Phone Link (version 1.23082.123.0 or greater on PC) that introduces the ability to effortlessly access and edit your most recent photos from your Android mobile device in Snipping Tool on your PC. Say goodbye to missed opportunities as you'll receive instant notifications on your PC whenever a new photo is captured on your Android device, provided both devices are connected via Phone Link. [caption id="attachment_176570" align="alignnone" width="482"] Phone Link notification prompting to open capture in Snipping Too for markup.[/caption] FEEDBACK: Please file feedback in Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Phone Link. We look forward to hearing your feedback on these updates! Thanks, Dave Grochocki, Principal Product Manager Lead – Windows Inbox Apps