Windows Snipping Tool is getting a GIF creation upgrade

Snipping Tool, a handy Windows screen capture utility, will add a GIF export feature to export screen recordings.

Microsoft first unveiled the new feature to Windows Insiders, who will be able to test it in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11.

Snipping Tool, usually used for screenshots, can also record the screen and save MP4 video files as MP4. However, the updated app will be able to create GIFs instantly.

Microsoft hopes this will help boost productivity and turn quick captures into shareable moments.

The new feature can be quickly accessed by pressing Win + Shift + R or by launching the app and toggling the screen recording mode.

Once a screen recording is done and the preview opens in the Snipping Tool app, it can be converted to GIF by pressing the new “Export GIF” button.

Users then need to select a preferred GIF quality, either High or Low, and then save the file or copy it directly to the clipboard.

GIF export is limited to recordings that are 30 seconds or less, and if the video is longer than that, the app offers to export the first 30 seconds of the video instead.

Technology blog Ghacks.net previously discovered leaks on the new feature on X.

First look at a new Snipping Tool feature coming soon to Windows 11: the ability to quickly create GIFs from screen recordings!

You'll get options to export/copy the GIF, with a choice between low and high quality. This menu can also be accessed with a keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+G. pic.twitter.com/kBsvkHMDtK

undefined phantomofearth 🌳 (@phantomofearth) May 22, 2025

GIF files are smaller in size compared to video recordings, which makes them easier to share on most platforms.

Snipping Tool on PCs with Copilot+ is also getting an AI-powered “Perfect screenshot” feature for precisely capturing content on the screen without the need to crop or resize it post-capture