Windows 11’s Snipping Tool Can Now Copy Text from Anywhere on Your Screen
Microsoft has quietly rolled out a powerful new feature for Windows 11’s Snipping Tool—a built-in text extractor using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). This handy update lets users copy text from anywhere on their screen, even if the text isn’t typically selectable—like in images, games, or third-party apps.
The feature, introduced in Snipping Tool version 11.2503.27.0, is now available to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev channels. Microsoft says it’s designed to simplify how users grab and copy text from static content, a function already common on devices like iPhones, Macs, and Android phones.
With this update, a new “text actions” button appears in the Snipping Tool’s toolbar when using Win+Shift+S or launching the app from the Start menu. Once you drag over an area, the tool scans the text and gives you the option to manually select it or use the “Copy all text” button to instantly send it to your clipboard. There’s even a toggle to automatically remove line breaks or instantly copy everything after capture.
No need to save or edit screenshots—this tool copies your text in just a few clicks.
This OCR functionality complements a similar feature recently added to the Photos app in Windows 11, but Snipping Tool offers a quicker, click-free workflow. It’s also part of Microsoft’s broader push to integrate smart utilities—like those seen in PowerToys, which also includes OCR capabilities.
The update makes Windows more competitive with Apple and Android systems, where features like Live Text (iOS) or Google Lens (Android) have long enabled instant text copying.
Microsoft confirmed this update is exclusive to Windows 11 and won’t be backported to Windows 10, which enters end-of-support phase in October 2025. Once fully tested, the OCR tool will be available to all Windows 11 users in an upcoming release.
Whether you’re copying notes from a presentation, text from a game, or data in an app that doesn’t allow highlighting, this new Windows 11 Snipping Tool text extraction feature might become your go-to productivity hack.
