How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop (6 Easy Methods)

Updated October 2026 · Steps checked on Windows 11 and Windows 10

Quick answer: Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot on a Dell laptop. It saves automatically to Pictures → Screenshots. To capture just part of the screen, press Windows + Shift + S. If nothing happens, try Fn + Windows + PrtScn.

Also read: How to Screenshot on Windows 11

Whether you use a Dell Inspiron, Dell XPS, Dell Latitude, Dell Vostro, Dell Alienware, or a Dell desktop, there are 6 built-in ways to capture your screen on Windows 10 and Windows 11, with no extra software needed.

In this guide you’ll find every method, where your screenshots are saved, what to do if screenshots aren’t working, and answers to the most common questions.

Method 1: Windows Key + PrtScn (Full Screen, Saves Automatically)

This is the fastest way to take a screenshot on a Dell laptop and have it saved automatically, with no extra steps.

Steps:

  1. Open the screen you want to capture
  2. Press Windows key + PrtScn at the same time
  3. Your screen will briefly dim. That confirms the screenshot was taken.
  4. Open File Explorer → This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
  5. Your screenshot is saved there as a PNG file

Tip: If your screen doesn’t dim when you press Windows + PrtScn, try Fn + Windows key + PrtScn instead. Some Dell models need the Fn key to activate Print Screen.

Also read: How to Screenshot on Dell XPS

Method 2: PrtScn Key (Opens Snip Tool on Windows 11)

What the PrtScn key does depends on your Windows version.

On Windows 11 (most Dell laptops sold since 2022), pressing PrtScn opens the snip toolbar at the top of the screen:

  1. Press the PrtScn key (usually in the top-right area of your Dell keyboard)
  2. The screen dims and a small toolbar appears
  3. Choose Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform
  4. Your screenshot is copied to the clipboard, and a preview pops up in the corner. Click it to edit or save.

On Windows 10, pressing PrtScn copies the full screen to your clipboard with no visible sign:

  1. Press PrtScn
  2. Open Paint, Word, or Gmail
  3. Press Ctrl + V to paste, then save with Ctrl + S

Want PrtScn to copy instantly instead (Windows 11)? Go to Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard and turn off “Use the Print screen key to open screen capture.”

Nothing happens? On many Dell models PrtScn is a secondary function shared with another key. Try Fn + PrtScn.

Method 3: Windows + Shift + S (Select Any Part of the Screen)

This is the most popular and flexible way to take a partial screenshot on a Dell laptop. You choose exactly which part of the screen to capture.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + Shift + S at the same time
  2. Your screen dims and a small toolbar appears at the top
  3. Choose your capture type:
    • Rectangle: drag to select any area of the screen
    • Freeform: draw any shape you want
    • Window: click to capture one open window
    • Full screen: captures the entire screen instantly
  4. The screenshot is copied to your clipboard automatically
  5. A notification pops up in the bottom-right corner. Click it to save or annotate.

Best for: Capturing only part of the screen, highlighting specific content, or sharing quickly without saving a full file.

Also read: How to Screenshot on HP Laptop

Method 4: Alt + PrtScn (Active Window Only)

This captures only the window you’re working in, without the taskbar, desktop background, or other open windows.

Steps:

  1. Click on the window you want to screenshot to make it active
  2. Press Alt + PrtScn at the same time
  3. Open Paint or any image editor
  4. Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot
  5. Save the file

Best for: Capturing one app window cleanly, especially when you want to share just that window without any background clutter.

Method 5: Snipping Tool (Built-in Windows App)

The Snipping Tool is a screenshot app built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. It gives you more control, including a timer delay.

Steps:

  1. Press the Start button and type Snipping Tool
  2. Open the app and click New (on Windows 11 it’s + New)
  3. Select the area of the screen you want to capture
  4. The screenshot opens in the Snipping Tool editor
  5. Crop or annotate if needed, then press Ctrl + S (or click the save icon) to save it

Tip: Use the Delay option before clicking New if you need to capture a dropdown menu or tooltip that disappears when you click elsewhere. Set a 3 or 5 second delay, then open the menu before the timer runs out.

Method 6: Game Bar (Windows + G)

The Xbox Game Bar is built into Windows and works on every Dell laptop, not just for gaming. It saves screenshots automatically, with nothing to paste.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar overlay
  2. Click the camera icon in the Capture widget, or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn
  3. Your screenshot is saved automatically in This PC → Videos → Captures

Best for: Full-screen apps and games on your Dell Alienware or Inspiron, or any time other shortcuts aren’t responding.

How to Screenshot on a Dell Desktop

Every method above works the same on Dell desktops, including Dell OptiPlex, Inspiron desktops, XPS desktops, and Dell all-in-ones. The main difference is the keyboard.

  • PrtScn is a dedicated key. On full-size Dell desktop keyboards, it sits in the top row to the right of F12, so you don’t need the Fn key.
  • Full screenshot: press Windows + PrtScn. It saves to Pictures → Screenshots.
  • Part of the screen: press Windows + Shift + S.

Using two monitors? Windows + PrtScn captures all your screens in one wide image. To capture just one monitor, press Windows + Shift + S and choose Window or Rectangle.

Dell Laptop Screenshot Shortcuts: Quick Reference

MethodShortcutSaves Automatically?Best For
Full screen + auto saveWindows + PrtScn✅ YesQuickest full screenshot
PrtScn keyPrtScn❌ Win 11: snip toolbar, Win 10: clipboardQuick captures
Select any areaWindows + Shift + S❌ Save from notificationPartial screen capture
Active window onlyAlt + PrtScn❌ Paste manuallyOne clean window
Snipping ToolStart → Snipping Tool❌ Save manuallyEditing and delayed snips
Game BarWindows + G✅ YesGames and full-screen apps

Where Are Screenshots Saved on Dell Laptop?

The location depends on which method you used:

  • Windows + PrtScn → saved automatically in This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
  • Game Bar (Windows + G) → saved automatically in This PC → Videos → Captures
  • PrtScn alone → Windows 11: opens the snip toolbar, then copies to clipboard. Windows 10: copies to clipboard. Paste into an app and save.
  • Alt + PrtScn → copied to clipboard only. Paste into an app and save.
  • Windows + Shift + S → copied to clipboard. Click the notification to open, edit, and save.
  • Snipping Tool → you choose the save location when you save

Screenshot Not Working on Dell Laptop? Try These Fixes

Fix 1: Use Fn + PrtScn Instead of PrtScn
This is the most common fix on Dell laptops. Many models need the Fn key to activate Print Screen. Press Fn + PrtScn and try again.

Fix 2: Check If Fn Lock Is On
Dell laptops have an Fn Lock feature that changes how the top-row keys behave. On many models you toggle it with Fn + Esc. Press it once, then try your screenshot shortcut again.

Fix 3: Use Windows + Shift + S as a Backup
If the PrtScn key doesn’t respond at all, press Windows + Shift + S. It works on every Dell laptop regardless of keyboard layout or Fn settings.

Fix 4: Check If OneDrive Is Saving Your Screenshots
On some Dell laptops, OneDrive saves screenshots to the cloud instead of your Pictures folder. If your screenshots seem to disappear, open OneDrive Settings → Backup and check where screenshots are being saved.

Fix 5: Update Your Dell Keyboard Driver
An outdated or corrupted keyboard driver can stop PrtScn from responding. Go to Device Manager → Keyboards, right-click your keyboard, choose Update driver, and follow the steps.

Fix 6: Run Dell SupportAssist
Most Dell laptops come with Dell SupportAssist. Open it from the Start menu and run a hardware check to see if the keyboard is working properly.

Fix 7: Restart Your Dell Laptop
A simple restart fixes most temporary screenshot problems, including unresponsive shortcuts. Save your work, restart, and try again.

Screenshot Guides for Other Laptops

Using a different laptop too? These guides cover each brand’s keyboard layout and shortcuts:

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I screenshot on Dell laptop without a Print Screen key?

Press Windows + Shift + S to capture any part of the screen. It works on every Dell laptop, with or without a PrtScn key. You can also open the On-Screen Keyboard (search “osk” in the Start menu) and click its PrtScn button.

How do I take a screenshot on a Dell desktop computer?

Press Windows + PrtScn for a full screenshot that saves to Pictures → Screenshots, or Windows + Shift + S to capture part of the screen. Dell desktop keyboards have a dedicated PrtScn key, so you don’t need the Fn key.

How do I take a screenshot on Dell Chromebook?

On a Dell Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show Windows key (the rectangle with two lines) to capture the full screen. Press Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows key to capture only part of the screen.

How do I take a scrolling screenshot on Dell laptop?

Windows doesn’t have a built-in scrolling screenshot. The easiest option is Microsoft Edge: open the page, press Ctrl + Shift + S, and choose Capture full page. For apps other than the browser, the free tool ShareX has a scrolling capture mode.

Also Read: How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot on Windows

How do I screenshot on Dell Alienware laptop?

All the same Windows shortcuts work on Alienware. Press Windows + PrtScn for a full screenshot or Windows + Shift + S to select an area. The Game Bar (Windows + G) is especially handy on Alienware for capturing games without interrupting gameplay.

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