Snipping Tool (Windows 7) - how to use it to screencapture dropdown menus and other tips

Recently, I had to screencapture some Windows 7 screens for training materials. Frustratingly enough, the screencapture tool, Snipping Tool, didn't seem to capture the dropdowns but it does, it is just a matter of knowing the trick!

To Find the Snipping Tool (and pin it to your menu for ease of access)

Click on the Windows menu button
(In the box 'Search programs and files' begin typing Snipping Tool - I only had to type Sni, before it came up, but if you have a lot of programs, you may need to type out the whole thing)

When you see it come up in the list, right click on Snipping Tool.

 

 Click on Pin to Taskbar.  

Capturing dropdowns or other objects (and putting it in hold)

When Snipping Tool opens it is already to screencapture. The problem is you may not be ready to screencapture OR you may want to capture a menu or other object.

Click on the Cancel button.  

At this point, you've put the Snipping Tool into a holding pattern. You may want to decide on your options for capturing. You can do a whole page, a rectangle, or free form. (see below to set the style of capture)

Now,  go to the menu you want to screencapture and then press,  Ctrl (control)  + Print Screen 
You will see the screen area become sort of translucent/slightly opaque and your cursor will change and you can draw around the object to be captured. Depending upon your settings, you will see your cursor turn into +.

 Setting Snipping Tool capture type and options

 Click on New>

• Free-form Snip.  Draw any shape around an object with your finger, mouse, or tablet pen.
• Rectangular Snip. Drag the cursor around an object to form a rectangle.
• Window Snip.  Choose a window—like a browser window or a dialog box.
• Full-screen Snip.  Capture the entire screen.

 Options>Snipping Tool Options

 Snipping Tools FAQs from Microsoft

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/snipping-tool-faq#1TC=windows-7