Guide to Extracting Text from Images on Windows 11

Taking screenshots of essential items like documents, cards, or images with useful information is something we all do. However, the process turns tedious when you have to manually type the content in another application by referencing the screenshot.

Fortunately, Windows 11 is equipped with various applications that provide Optical Character Recognition (OCR) functionality. These tools allow you to scan images and extract text that can easily be utilized for filling out forms or documents.

This article will explore different approaches to help you extract text from images using built-in Windows applications and third-party tools.

1. Utilizing the Snipping Tool

Snipping Tool is the primary screenshot utility in Windows 11 and has received significant upgrades. It’s capable of capturing screenshots from images and even reading QR codes.

To begin, open the image from which you intend to extract text in a photo viewer. Use the shortcut Win + Shift + S to activate the Snipping Tool. Click and drag to select the text area you wish to capture. After that, hit the Text Actions button.

The tool will recognize the text within the image and highlight it for you. You can then either select specific text with the mouse or simply click Copy All to copy everything instantly. The text is now available on the Windows Clipboard for convenient use later.

2. Leveraging Copilot

Windows 11 comes with Copilot, an AI assistant now built in as a web app. You can utilize its AI capabilities for scanning images to extract text.

To open Copilot, click its icon in the Taskbar. Next, drag the image into the interface and choose the option to “extract text.” Hit Enter, and you will see a list of the extracted text displayed line by line. Keep in mind that some information may not appear correctly aligned, so it’s advisable to compare the output with the original image.

For instance, it might list “Chrome Family Enterprise Education Dev and Partners Stay Connected” in a single line due to how it appears on the webpage, even though these are distinct sections.

3. Employing the Phone Link App

Microsoft has recently incorporated an OCR feature into the Phone Link app, allowing you to extract text from images stored on your Android or iOS device. Begin by updating the Phone Link app to the latest version and link your phone with it.

Once your phone is connected, open the Phone Link app and navigate to the Photos tab. Double-click on the desired photo to view it. Then, click the Text option from the menu bar.

This will highlight all the text in the image. To copy the text, simply click on the Copy text option. You can also select specific words or lines with the mouse cursor and copy them.

4. Utilizing PowerToys

PowerToys is a fantastic set of utilities for Windows 11 that enhances its functionality. Among its many helpful features is the Text Extractor, which allows you to copy text from images.

This tool is official and secure, so there’s no need to worry about data privacy. You can download it from the Microsoft Store or find it on GitHub. Once installed, launch the application and select Text Extractor from the left-hand menu. Turn the feature on by clicking the toggle.

Open an image with an image viewer app and use the shortcut Win + Shift + T to enable the Text Extractor. Simply highlight the text area, and the tool will automatically scan and copy the text for you.

5. Using Google Lens

You can also employ Google Lens for scanning and identifying text in images. In this scenario, we will focus on using it to highlight the text present in a screenshot. Please note that using Google Lens will upload the image to Google’s servers.

Open a new window in Google Chrome and drag the image from File Explorer into this window. Right-click on the image and select “Search with Google Lens.”

Similar to the Snipping Tool, Google Lens will identify all the text within the image. Utilize your cursor to select the text and press Ctrl + C to copy it.

FAQs

Is there OCR software in Windows 11?

Absolutely. Windows 11 features various applications equipped with OCR functionality, allowing you to extract text from images using tools like Snipping Tool, Phone Link, or Copilot.

What is the best OCR solution for Windows 11?

Microsoft has streamlined the process for copying image text, integrating OCR features effectively across several native Windows 11 applications. You typically won’t need to seek alternatives unless you’re looking to scan text in a less common language.

Can I perform OCR directly in Word?

No, Microsoft Word does not support OCR natively. You’ll need to capture a screenshot using the Snipping Tool and then utilize Text Actions to recognize the text. Word itself lacks an integrated OCR feature.

Conclusion

Extracting text from images is a straightforward task in Windows 11, with numerous options available for diverse languages. Google Lens was previously our preferred online solution for text scanning until Microsoft introduced OCR capabilities across various applications in Windows 11.

While some third-party solutions exist on the Microsoft Store, why bother when the Snipping Tool already excels at this task?

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