Microsoft continues to enhance the Windows 11 user experience. With the new update, the Snipping Tool has gained Bing-powered Visual Search. Users can now analyze the area they select when taking a screenshot directly in Bing Visual Search.
Bing-Powered Visual Search Officially Released
With the latest Windows 11 update, the Snipping Tool has gained a brand new feature. Thanks to the integration with Bing Visual Search, users can now search the area they select when taking a screenshot directly in Bing. This feature is included in Snipping Tool version 11.2508.29.0 and is gradually rolling out to stable version users.
The new system can identify objects in the image, find similar images, and even recognize and translate text. Once the search is complete, the user is redirected to Bing’s browser tab. While the system functions similarly to Google Lens in this respect, it differs by opening search results in a separate tab.
This move by Microsoft represents direct competition with Google Lens. Google recently announced a new desktop tool called Google App, making Lens available on Windows. Google’s tool allows users to select a specific area of the screen and instantly translate, copy text, or perform a visual search.
This move accelerated Microsoft’s rollout of similar integration into Windows 11. The company is working on a system that will integrate Bing Visual Search directly into the Snipping Tool, allowing users to search without switching to the browser.
In addition to Visual Search, Microsoft has added several new features to the Snipping Tool. The update’s live annotation, color picker, and advanced sharing tools transform the app into a versatile tool.
The color picker feature, in particular, is particularly useful for designers and content creators. Users can select a color from any area of the screen and directly copy the HEX or RGB code. Furthermore, a new mini-menu allows screenshots to be instantly copied, saved to specific folders, or shared to different devices.
Microsoft has also added translation support to the tool, leveraging the Bing Visual Search engine. After taking a screenshot, users can select an area containing text and translate it through Bing. However, tests have shown that translations are not fully accurate in some languages. Microsoft is reportedly continuing to improve this area.
Copilot integration has also been added to the app. Users can select a specific part of the screen, send it directly to Copilot, and ask questions about the image. For example, when a product photo is selected, Copilot can ask questions like “Where is this product sold?” or “What similar models are there?” This feature is particularly useful for content creators, journalists, and researchers.
With the new update, the Snipping Tool has evolved from a simple screen capture tool into a truly intelligent productivity tool. Thanks to Bing Visual Search, Copilot integration, a color picker, and live annotation features, users can now do much more with their screenshots.
While not offering as deep an integration as Google Lens, Microsoft’s move creates a practical, fast, and integrated alternative for Windows 11 users. In this era when visual search technologies are rapidly developing, this step taken by Microsoft seems to reshape competition on desktop platforms.
