Microsoft Copilot Screenshot Tools

Copilot is Microsoft’s Artificial Intelligence wing-mate on the Edge browser. A screenshot tool was recently added to its growing list of features.

Using a screenshot tool isn’t a new feature to Microsoft Windows users. But this handy new tool makes taking screenshots, adding text and highlights much easier when browsing on the Internet.

Plus, as an added bonus, you can ask Copilot to describe or analyze the image!

This saves me a great deal of time. And, as I reiterate again – time is money!

Microsoft added the screenshot icon (see red oval in image below) to the ‘Test Copilot area’ (just below where you type in a prompt). This opens the snipping tool and you can then select the area or window you want to capture.

Microsoft Copilot Screenshot Tool

You can also press ‘Windows logo key + Shift + S’ to open the snipping tool as you can in Windows.

AI Snipping Tool Features

Copilot’s snipping tool has several features to capture and edit your screenshot.

1. As with Windows snipping tools, you can crop to select parts of the screen and focus only on the area that interests you.

2. You can add notes or comments directly onto the screenshot with the annotate tool (click on the ‘T’) in various font sizes (10-96 pt). Use it to provide additional context or instructions. (See ‘Blu’ in black, upper right below.)

3. The highlight tool lets you emphasize specific areas of the snip. Use them to draw attention to particular elements or details.

Five AI Highlight Tools

Microsoft Copilot Screenshot Highlight Tools

As shown above, five highlight tools (from left to right) are now included:

• A Rectangle or Shape Tool (in yellow) to draw squares or rectangles to create a box around the area of interest.
• An Ellipse or Circle Tool (in blue) to draw circles or ovals to highlight areas of the snip.
• The Arrow Tool (in red) lets you draw arrows that point to specific areas or elements.
• Freehand or Pencil Tool (in green) to draw freehand lines or ‘squiggles’. It’s useful for underlining, circling or pointing to specific parts of the screenshot.
• The Blur Tool (upper right) allows you to blur out parts of the screenshot you want to hide. The intensity and shape of the blur effect can be adjusted.

Six color options are available as well as three width sizes.

4. You can download and save the marked-up snip by clicking the down arrow (second from right).

Analyze or Describe the Snippet

Microsoft Copilot Analyze Screenshot

5. You can also add the snippet to the ‘Test Copilot area’ (the area where you type in prompts) by clicking on the check mark at the far right. Then ask Copilot to describe or analyze the image.

Enjoy all the wonders that generative Artificial Intelligence can bring. (Note: AI helped me create and structure this article based on my role prompting.)

Want to learn more about using generative Artificial Intelligence chatbots for fun or small business applications? Call us at 847.634.6535 or use the contact form in the right sidebar (or below if you are on a cellphone).

You can also sign up for one of our interactive workshops on Eventbrite or schedule an appointment on our online appointment calendar.

Notes:

These options can change without notice after the date of publication.

Always be careful and avoid violating copyright and usage laws.

Image credit: (U.S.) National Archives Catalog.