Microsoft has started to roll out updates for Snipping Tool and Notepad to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels on Windows 11. Microsoft has been pushing several updates frequently to the Inbox apps. The Redmond-based software giant recently threw updates to the Paint app, which is now an inboxed app. The new Snipping Tool and Notepad updates will be available only to Windows Insiders.
The Snipping Tool update has introduced the combined capture bar using which you can swap between screenshot capturing and screen recordings without opening the app. You can make use of the Print Screen or Win+Shift+S keyboard shortcuts to open the capture bar for snipping. You will either find familiar snipping modes or try the new Win+Shift+R keyboard shortcuts to open the capture bar for recording.
The screen recording experience has been improved with support for third-party microphones for recording your PC audio and voiceovers. You can select your preferred recording device before proceeding to start recording. It’s also possible to configure the default audio recording settings for new screen recordings. Microsoft also revealed that there is an issue with the Snipping Tool. You will view a pop-up dialog when capturing a screenshot, which prompts you to “Select an app to open this ‘ms-screenclip’ link”. You have to select Snipping Tool if you view this dialog.
Notepad Refreshed
Microsoft has updated Notepad, which automatically saves your session state. You can close Notepad without any dialogs and resume from where you let off later. Notepad will restore previously open tabs including unsaved content and edits across those open tabs.
The Saved session state does not impact any files. You have the choice whether to save or discard unsaved changes to files anytime you close a tab. You can deactivate the Saved session state feature in app settings.
Microsoft has started to roll out the updated Snipping Tool and Notepad experiences in a phased manner to all Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels. You will not view these changes immediately. However, the update will be visible automatically without any need to install any Windows 11 Insider Preview Builds. Alternatively, you can manually install the updates from the Store app.