How to Take Annotated Screenshots in Windows
Windows + Shift + S plus the built-in Snipping Tool cover most needs — pen, highlighter and ruler included. And when a description would take three paragraphs, one arrow on a screenshot says it faster.
Windows: the Snipping Tool
Windows + Shift + S→ select the area.- A notification appears → click it to open the capture in the Snipping Tool app.
- Use the pen, highlighter and ruler tools to annotate directly on the image.
No extra software: any basic image editor
If you want more annotation options (arrows, shapes, styled text), paste the screenshot into Paint or any basic editor before saving.
Tip: when explaining a technical problem to someone (tech support, a colleague), a screenshot with an arrow pointing at the exact element communicates far faster than a long written description.
Dedicated tools (if you do this often)
Programs like Greenshot or ShareX (both free) add more advanced annotation and organisation features if screenshots are a regular part of your work.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install software to annotate screenshots?
No — the Snipping Tool built into Windows already includes basic annotation tools (pen, highlighter, ruler) that cover most needs.
When is a dedicated tool like ShareX worth it?
If you take annotated screenshots very frequently for work, these tools add more advanced organisation and editing features than the basic Windows app.