
The keyboard shortcut Win + Shift + R
allows users to initiate screen recording; however, it is not a novel feature. Recently highlighted by Windows Latest, a new addition has been introduced that simplifies the screen recording process by enabling automatic selection of an application window for recording.
As a fervent supporter of the Snipping Tool in Windows 11, I can confidently say that its functionality has exceeded my expectations. With the recent enhancements related to Text Actions, Microsoft is now extending its capabilities to include window selection for video capture, along with live annotations for screenshots.
At present, recording a screen requires me to manually drag the selection tool to define an active window. This method isn’t foolproof; sometimes it results in unwanted cropping or captures excessive content that can complicate the editing process. Since screen recordings are not static images, any mistakes necessitate video cropping in post-production.
While the Snipping Tool offers an active window selection feature for screenshots, this functionality has yet to be made available for video recording. Soon, however, users will be empowered to capture video content from a specific window without the risk of unintentionally recording the surrounding screen area.

This new feature is currently in testing, not yet accessible to all users. It was recently spotted in the Canary channel by Windows Latest. I decided to take a closer look by installing the latest Snipping Tool version, 2022.2507.14.0. Upon clicking the video capture icon, users will now see a window option within the Snipping area selections.

The application will automatically highlight the selected area around the active window. However, it’s important to note that there is no option for switching between windows. Therefore, users must first open the desired window and then proceed with the video capture process.
Introducing Live Annotations in Snipping Tool
In an exciting development, the Snipping Tool has also acquired the capability to utilize Text Actions without the need for a screenshot. This feature enables users to extract text from a highlighted area without needing to capture and save an image. Building on this functionality, live screenshot annotations are on the horizon.
The hidden feature, uncovered by Phantomofearth, integrates a comprehensive annotation toolbar into the screen capture window. Although the feature is not fully operational yet—most buttons serve as placeholders—it allows users to define the area they wish to capture before making the actual snapshot.

Enhancements in File Explorer
Beyond the Snipping Tool, additional improvements are being rolled out in File Explorer. Following last year’s enhancements, which enriched the right-click context menu with clearer labels for common file actions, the software is set to receive further upgrades.
The Recent, Favorites, and Shared sections in the Home page will soon feature newly designed file action buttons that appear upon hovering. These buttons will allow users to quickly determine file locations, access Copilot for additional details, and reveal a three-dots button to bring up the context menu.

Among these updates, I find the three-dots button the least beneficial, as users can access more options by right-clicking instead of waiting for a hover action to activate.
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