Microsoft is continuing to streamline the Windows 11 experience with an update to Snipping Tool that lets you extract text directly from images in just a few simple steps. The feature is now available in Insider build 11.2503.27.0 for the Canary and Dev channels, paving the way for an experience similar to Live Text on macOS and iOS.
No Need to Take a Screenshot First: Grab Text Straight From the Screen
Previously, users had to open a saved screenshot or an existing image, then click the text extraction icon in Snipping Tool or the Photos app. With this update, the text extraction icon (Text Actions) now sits on the main Snipping Tool toolbar, appearing as soon as you press Win + Shift + S to open the tool.
After you select “Text Actions,” just drag a selection around the part of the screen containing the text you want to copy. The text is recognized automatically, so you can highlight individual sections or copy everything with a single click. Extra options such as removing line breaks and automatically copying all the text are also available right in the dropdown menu.
A Simpler Experience Than PowerToys, Catching Up to Apple's Live Text
Microsoft previously offered a similar feature through PowerToys, but the process was still fairly manual. Compared with Apple's ecosystem, where users have been able to simply tap to select text in photos since 2021, Windows still involved a lot of clunky steps. The new version of Snipping Tool fixes that, aiming for more convenience and speed.
Tied to Other Improvements: Recall, Android Integration, and Gaming Optimization
Alongside Snipping Tool, Microsoft is also testing features such as:
- Recall: uses AI and an NPU to remember and search a user's actions through an activity timeline. It remains controversial over privacy.
- Android phone integration: improves communication between devices within the ecosystem.
- New gaming optimization documentation: helps users get more out of their current hardware.
How to Join and Share Feedback
Users who want early access can sign up for the Windows Insider program, then download the new build. To send feedback, open Feedback Hub (Win + F) and choose Apps > Snipping Tool.
In short: With this update, Windows 11 offers a faster, smarter way to extract text, especially useful for office workers, students, and anyone who regularly works with images that contain text.
