Windows has two small tools that save time every day, and many people never turn them on. Clipboard history remembers everything you copy, not just the last item. The Snipping Tool takes clean screenshots in seconds. Here are 12 tips to use both.
Part 1: Clipboard history (Win + V)
1. Turn it on
Press Win + V. The first time, Windows asks you to turn it on, so click Turn on. You can also go to Settings → System → Clipboard and switch on Clipboard history.
2. Paste something you copied earlier
Copy a few things as usual with Ctrl + C. When you want to paste, press Win + V instead of Ctrl + V and click the item you want. It keeps your recent items (text, links and small images).
3. Pin text you use often
Click the … or pin icon next to an item to pin it. Pinned items stay even after you restart, which is perfect for your email signature line, bank details for invoices, your office address or a standard reply. Normal items are cleared when you restart the PC.
4. Paste as plain text
Copied text from a website and it brings strange fonts with it? In Windows 11, open Win + V, click … next to the item and choose Paste as text. In many apps, Ctrl + Shift + V also pastes without formatting.
5. Delete or clear items
Remove one item with its … menu, or click Clear all at the top. Do this after copying passwords or private information. Better still, use a password manager instead of copying passwords around.
6. Sync between computers (optional)
Under Settings → System → Clipboard you can sync clipboard history across devices signed in with the same Microsoft account. Only turn this on if you’re comfortable with copied text being shared between your devices, and check your company’s policy first.
Part 2: Snipping Tool (Win + Shift + S)
7. Take a quick screenshot
Press Win + Shift + S. The screen dims and a small bar appears at the top. Choose a mode:
| Mode | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Rectangle | Most screenshots: drag around what you need |
| Window | One app window, cleanly cut |
| Full screen | Everything on the screen |
| Freeform | Any shape you draw |
The snip is copied to the clipboard, so paste it straight into an email, Teams chat or document with Ctrl + V.
8. Annotate before you send
Click the notification that appears after a snip to open it in the Snipping Tool. Use the pen and highlighter to circle the important part. It’s much clearer than “look at the button on the left”.
9. Hide private details
Before sharing a screenshot, cover names, email addresses, account numbers or customer data. Draw over them with the pen, or crop them out with the crop tool. Don’t rely on a thin highlighter because it can still be read.
10. Copy text from a screenshot
In Windows 11, open a snip in the Snipping Tool and click Text actions. It detects the text in the image, so you can copy it instead of retyping. This is useful for error messages, scanned documents or text inside images.
11. Use the Print Screen key
- In Windows 11, PrtSc can open the Snipping Tool directly (setting: Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard).
- Win + PrtSc saves a full-screen screenshot automatically to Pictures → Screenshots.
- Alt + PrtSc copies just the active window.
12. Record a short screen video
Open the Snipping Tool app and switch to the Record (video camera) option. Select an area and record a short clip. It’s great for showing a colleague “click here, then here” without a meeting.
Quick reference
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Win + V | Open clipboard history |
| Win + Shift + S | Take a snip |
| Win + PrtSc | Save a full-screen screenshot |
| Alt + PrtSc | Copy the active window |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste as plain text (in many apps) |
Want more? See our 25 Windows keyboard shortcuts.