Microsoft: Snipping tool gets visual search
Microsoft is distributing new preview versions of the Snipping Tool and Paint. The Snipping Tool can now also search visually.
(Image: Microsoft)
Microsoft's developers are massively expanding the Windows Snipping Tool, as well as the rudimentary Paint program. Now the programmers are also adding a visual search function to the Snipping Tool.
Microsoft had already distributed an updated preview version of the Snipping Tool last week. New functions for the Insider preview version included emojis that can be added to screenshots and recognition of QR codes, which allows the coded links to be called up quickly. In response to user feedback, the developers have improved the addition of shapes and colors. These can now be provided with adjustable opacity. A ruler can once again be used via the "See more" drop-down menu.
Visual search added
In the updated blog post, the developers explain that they added a visual search to the snipping tool on Thursday of this week. It is included from version 11.2404.39.0. The function is used to find similar images to the content of a screenshot using Microsoft's Bing search engine. The function is available with a right-click and appears in the context menu as "Visual Search with Bing". It should also be available under "See more" in the Snipping Tool toolbar.
Microsoft's programmers have also updated Paint. In version 11.2404.42.0 and newer, the "Paint Cocreator" becomes the "Image Creator". This is a generative image AI that creates images based on simple descriptions at the prompt.
Microsoft regularly expands and improves the standard tools supplied with Windows 11. The new functions upgrade capabilities that were otherwise reserved for commercial add-on programs. Many tasks that previously required third-party software can now be performed with on-board tools.
(dmk)