How to Convert a Screenshot to Text in Windows 11

Do you want to extract text from an image or screenshot in Windows 10/11? If yes then you’re at the right spot. In this Windows 11 guide, we’re going to show you how to convert a screenshot to text in Windows 10 or Windows 11.

OCR, or optical character recognition, is a highly helpful method for extracting text from scanned or actual photographs. It has been frequently utilized in various locations as a way to enter information from printed copies. To expedite the procedure, a scanning solution with an integrated OCR capability is frequently selected and put into use.

How to Convert a Screenshot to Text in Windows 10 or Windows 11

In order to extract text from images on your Windows computer, we recommend using Microsoft PowerToys.

Microsoft PowerToys is a collection of free system tools created by Microsoft for use with the Windows operating system and targeted at power users. To increase productivity or provide more customization, these programs modify or add features. Windows 95, Windows XP, Windows 10, and Windows 11 all support PowerToys. The PowerToys for Windows 10 and Windows 11 are free and open-source programs posted on GitHub that are covered under the MIT License.

Users of Windows 11 and 10 can now extract text from any picture file using the new “Text Extractor” function included in PowerToys versions 0.62.0 and above. This feature lets you copy text directly from an image. For instance, let’s say you just made a purchase and you want to get the location of the store from the receipt. Simply take a photo, and the PowerToys app will retrieve the address and other details.

Step 1. Install PowerToys in Windows 10/11

There are two ways to install Microsoft PowerToys on Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Method 1. Install PowerToys from Microsoft Store

• Open Microsoft Store.
• Search for PowerToys.
• Once found, click Install.

Install PowerToys from Microsoft Store

Method 2. Install PowerToys using Command Prompt

Run Command Prompt as an administrator.

Type the following command and press enter:

winget install --id Microsoft.PowerToys

If prompted, type Y to continue.

Wait for the installation process. The file size is around 124 MB.

Install PowerToys using Command Prompt

Step 2. Enable Text Extractor on PowerToys

1. Launch the PowerToys app.

PowerToys

2. Click the hamburger menu and select Text Extractor.

Text Extractor

3. Finally, turn on Enable Text Extractor.

Enable Text Extractor

Step 3. Extract Text from Images or Screenshots in Windows 10/11 using PowerToys

Launch the PowerToys.

Open any photos or screenshots that you want to grab text from.

After that, press the Windows + Shift + T at the same time keyboard shortcut.

Select any text part that you want to copy.

Open any program like Word or Notepad and paste it.

Convert a Screenshot to Text in Windows

That’s all. You can easily convert a screenshot to text in Windows 10 and Windows 11 using the PowerToys app.

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