Copy Text from Image on Windows: Best Free Methods Compared
- Three free built-in or near-built-in options on Windows 10 and 11
- PowerToys Text Extractor is best for screen captures — one keyboard shortcut
- Browser OCR is best for image files and private documents
- Snipping Tool text extraction requires Windows 11 and the latest update
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Windows actually gives you several ways to copy text from images for free. Which one to use depends on where the text is — on your screen right now, in an image file you have saved, or in a document you're trying to keep private.
Here's a real comparison of PowerToys Text Extractor, the Windows 11 Snipping Tool, and free browser OCR — what each does well and where each falls short.
Method 1: PowerToys Text Extractor
Best for: Grabbing text from anything on your screen.
Microsoft's free PowerToys utility includes a Text Extractor feature (formerly called "Text Grab"). Press Win+Shift+T, drag a selection over the text on screen, and it's copied to your clipboard instantly.
Pros: Works on anything visible on screen — PDFs, images in browser, text in videos. Fast keyboard shortcut. Free from Microsoft.
Cons: Requires installing PowerToys (about 100MB). Sends screen capture data through Windows OCR engine. Not ideal for private documents you don't want processed locally by Windows OCR.
Get PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or GitHub.
Method 2: Snipping Tool (Windows 11 Only)
Best for: Quick screenshots with text extraction on Windows 11.
Windows 11's updated Snipping Tool added a "Text Actions" feature that lets you copy or redact text from screenshots. Open Snipping Tool, take a snip, then click the text icon to extract.
Pros: Already installed on Windows 11, no setup. Decent for quick captures.
Cons: Not available on Windows 10. Feature requires a recent Windows 11 update — older installs won't have it. Works on screenshots, not directly on image files.
Sell Custom Apparel — We Handle Printing & Free ShippingMethod 3: Free Browser OCR (Best for Image Files and Privacy)
Best for: Image files you want to process privately, or any Windows version.
Open the Image to Text tool in Edge or Chrome. Drag in your JPG, PNG, or WebP image and get copyable text. The OCR runs entirely in your browser — nothing is sent to any server.
Pros: No software to install. Works on Windows 10 and 11. Image stays on your device. No Microsoft account or Windows OCR engine involved. Supports 8 languages.
Cons: Can't extract from your screen — only works on image files you have saved. Requires opening a browser tab.
Which Method Should You Use?
- Text on your screen right now → PowerToys Text Extractor (fastest, any Windows version)
- Quick screenshot capture on Windows 11 → Snipping Tool Text Actions
- Image file saved on your computer → Browser OCR (most private, no install)
- Sensitive document you want kept private → Browser OCR (nothing leaves your device)
- Non-English image → Browser OCR (8 language options)
No Install Required
Browser OCR works on any Windows version — drag your image and extract.
Open Image to Text ToolFrequently Asked Questions
Does PowerToys Text Extractor send my screen to the internet?
PowerToys Text Extractor uses Windows's built-in OCR engine, which processes locally. However, it does go through Windows OCR components. The browser-based OCR tool processes everything client-side without involving Windows OCR or any external service.
Can I use these methods on Windows 10?
PowerToys Text Extractor works on Windows 10. Snipping Tool Text Actions is Windows 11 only. The browser OCR tool works on any Windows version with a modern browser.
Which method works best for scanned PDF images?
For scanned PDFs, open the PDF and take a screenshot with PowerToys Text Extractor, or save a page as an image and use browser OCR. The browser tool accepts JPG, PNG, and WebP files.
