# Windows: Tools for Productivity

This article covers different application which are pre-built into Windows to help you to be extra productive when you are working.

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### 1. Snipping Tool

Snipping tool is helpful in allowing you to take snippets of your screen. In Windows 11 it also provides a recording feature. After a snippet has been taken you will automatically have it saved on your clipboard. This allows you to quickly paste the snippet anywhere you'd like. You can use the **Windows key + Shift + S** to quickly open the snippet tool.

**Where to find:**

1. **Windows key** + **S** to open the windows search box
2. Type **Snipping Tool.**

[![1.png](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/EmqIi8qx9KZWsbXs-1.png)](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/EmqIi8qx9KZWsbXs-1.png)

**How to use:**

1. Begin a new snippet.
2. Toggle between Screenshot or Recording ( Windows 10 only always for screenshot).
3. Toggle between how you would like to take a snippet. e.g Cutting with window toggled, will give you a screenshot of whatever window you selected.
4. Add Delay to give you enough time to take a screenshot.
5. Quickly Modify the screenshot.
6. Crop or Convert whatever text is seen in the screenshot into copiable text.
7. Other features

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### 2. Sticky Notes

Sticky notes is a valuable tool which allows you to take notes on the fly. Notes are automatically saved and you can keep creating sticky notes as much as you want.

**Where to find:**

1. **Windows key** + **S** to open the windows search box
2. Type **Sticky Note.**
3. You might need to sign into a Microsoft account (in that case you can use your outlook email address).

[![2.png](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/zIdAZGGaptOOuMIY-2.png)](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/zIdAZGGaptOOuMIY-2.png)

**How to use:**

1. Add another sticky Note
2. Settings - Includes customizing background colour.
3. Tool bar - including adding an image and text customization.

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### 3. Paint

Paint is a handy tool to quickly editing images. copy and paste images in the canvas and start using the tools at the top to edit the image.

**Where to find:**

1. **Windows key** + **S** to open the windows search box
2. Type **Paint.**

[![image.png](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/Y5xt2Kwxy8cmCesm-image.png)](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/Y5xt2Kwxy8cmCesm-image.png)

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### 4. Photos

An alternative way to browser your pictures saved on your machine. Photos also allows you to connect to OneDrive or iCloud photos.

**Where to find:**

1. **Windows key** + **S** to open the windows search box
2. Type **Photos.**

[![image.png](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/hoZ7tnNMnWF1Slb4-image.png)](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/hoZ7tnNMnWF1Slb4-image.png)

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### 5. Clock 

The clock application is great tool to keep focus. You can set a timer and a break time to ensure you are focused when you are using your machine.

**Where to find:**

1. **Windows key** + **S** to open the windows search box
2. Type **Clock.**

[![image.png](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/xgxbBmFbrb8Bg51P-image.png)](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/xgxbBmFbrb8Bg51P-image.png)

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### 6. Microsoft Store

Similar to the app store or apple store, Microsoft store is a safe way to install applications. You can install applications like Whatsapp, Facebook...etc.

**Where to find:**

1. **Windows key** + **S** to open the windows search box
2. Type **Microsoft Store.**

[![image.png](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/scaled-1680-/2cnzesDgSQLjedlY-image.png)](https://kb.9.technology/uploads/images/gallery/2025-02/2cnzesDgSQLjedlY-image.png)

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