Windows 11’s Snipping Tool has definitely enjoyed some upgrades in recent times, but at the end of the day it’s still just a basic tool that allows you to do little more than take screenshots and videos. GIF creation wasn’t even supported until just a couple months ago!
Because of these limitations, I use ShareX instead for more complicated or precise screen captures. As well as capturing GIFs, ShareX offers significantly more advanced features, including precise capture with a magnifier, scrolling screenshot capture, and timed capture. ShareX even lets you add annotations like arrows, lines, and text bubbles to screenshots. And another great thing… it’s totally free!
Here I’ll show you how to use the highly coveted GIF recording function.
What to do:
- Download, install, and run ShareX.
- Type Ctrl + Shift + Print Screen. A crosshair will appear on your screen.
- Now select the part of your screen you want to record a GIF with by moving the crosshair over it—it will automatically select the window or area surrounding your cursor. Click your mouse to begin recording.
- To stop recording you can either type the shortcut again (Ctrl + Shift + Print Screen) or hit the stop button in the ShareX media control bar.
Dominic Bayley / Foundry
Once you’re finished shooting, your GIF will appear in the default capture folder which is typically located at C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents\ShareX\My Files.
The GIF will also appear in the task tray or “History” tab of the ShareX window so that you can play it back and decide if it’s good to go.
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