Windows 11: Microsoft rolls out updates to Snipping Tool, Calculator, Mail and Calendar apps

Microsoft has updated its Snipping Tool, Calculator, Mail and Calendar apps to match the performance and looks of Windows 11.

Snipping Tool, Calculator, Mail and Calendar apps will have added functionalities on Windows 11. (Microsoft)

Microsoft has been consistently rolling out new features, updates and bug fixes to its newly announced Windows 11 operating system to make sure no nasty surprises are sprung after it is actually rolled out to the general public later in the fall. In the past couple of weeks, the company has already added a new feature called Family Widgets to its platform that enables users to see recent activities of family members, such as screen time and the last location. Microsoft has also announced that it is bringing Spotify integration to Windows 11. Microsoft is also making changes to some of the older apps in order to boost their performance as well as give them a better look that matches Windows 11. The latest revelation by Microsoft is about another set of updates coming to the apps linked to Windows 11 OS - Snipping Tool, Calculator, Mail and Calendar.

Snipping Tool

Microsoft said it has replaced the classic Snipping Tool and Snip & Sketch apps in Windows 11 with a new and more efficient Snipping Tool app. This new app includes new visuals that build off the classic app with added functionality like the WIN + SHIFT + S keyboard shortcut from Snip and Sketch and richer editing. The company, in a blog post explained that pressing this key combination will bring up the snipping menu with options to choose from including Rectangular Snip, Freeform Snip, Windows Snip, and Fullscreen Snip.

The company also said that once a user has taken a screenshot, Snipping Tool will provide editing tools for annotations, improved cropping, and more for editing the image. Lastly, Microsoft said that the new Snipping Tool app will now appear in dark mode. “You can also choose which theme independently via the new settings page for Snipping Tool,” Microsoft wrote in a blog post.

Calculator

Next comes the Calculator app. Microsoft said that the Calculator app now has a new look for Windows 11. It also includes a new app theme setting that will enable users to turn it dark just like the Snipping Tool app. In addition to these features, the new Calculator app will now let users analyse equations on a graph, and evaluate algebra, trigonometry, and complex math expressions. Users will be able to plot one or more equations in graphing mode and then analyze the graph to help identify key graph features, like the x- and y- intercepts. They will also be able to convert between more than 100 different units and currencies.

Mail and Calendar

Lastly, come the Mail Calendar apps. Microsoft said that the Mail and Calendar apps have been updated with a new visual style, which includes rounded corners and other adjustments. Additionally, the Mail and Calendar apps will honor the theme that users have set in Windows 11 just like the Snipping Tool and Calendar apps.