How to Screenshot on Dell XPS (6 Easy Methods)

Want to take a screenshot on your Dell XPS? You are in the right place. The Dell XPS runs Windows 10 and Windows 11 and supports six different ways to capture your screen. Some methods use keyboard shortcuts. Others use built-in Windows tools. This guide covers every method step by step so you can start capturing your screen in seconds.

Whether you use a Dell XPS 13, Dell XPS 15, Dell XPS 17 or any other XPS model — all six methods work on every Dell XPS laptop.

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

This is the fastest method. Furthermore, it saves your screenshot automatically without any extra steps.

Steps:

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

Tip: If your screen does not dim, try pressing Fn + Windows key + PrtScn instead. Some Dell XPS models require the Fn key to activate Print Screen.

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Method 2: Windows + Shift + S (Select Any Part of the Screen)

This is the most flexible method. In addition, it lets you capture exactly the area you want.

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
   • Freeform — draw any shape you want
   • Window — click to capture one open window
   • Full screen — captures everything instantly
4. The screenshot copies to your clipboard automatically
5. A notification appears in the bottom-right corner — click it to save or edit

Best for: Capturing part of the screen or sharing quickly without saving a full file.

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Method 3: PrtScn Key Only (Copies to Clipboard)

This method is simple and quick. However, it does not save the screenshot automatically.

Steps:

1. Press the PrtScn key on your Dell XPS keyboard
2. Open Paint, Word or any other app
3. Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot
4. Save the file manually using Ctrl + S

Note: On some Dell XPS models the PrtScn key is a secondary function. If it does not work, try Fn + PrtScn instead.

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Method 4: Alt + PrtScn (Active Window Only)

This method captures only the window you are working in. As a result, your screenshot stays clean without any background clutter.

Steps:

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

Best for: Capturing one specific window without the taskbar or desktop showing in the background.

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

The Snipping Tool gives you full control over your screenshots. Additionally, it includes a timer delay — perfect for capturing menus and tooltips that disappear when you click.

Steps:

1. Press the Start button and type Snipping Tool
2. Open the app and click New
3. Select the area you want to capture
4. The screenshot opens in the editor
5. Annotate or crop if needed, then click File → Save As

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

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Method 6: Game Bar (Windows + G)

The Xbox Game Bar works on all Dell XPS laptops — not just for gaming. Furthermore, it saves screenshots automatically without needing to paste anything.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar
2. Click the camera icon in the Capture widget
3. Or press Windows + Alt + PrtScn directly
4. Your screenshot saves automatically in This PC → Videos → Captures

Best for: Capturing full-screen apps or games on Dell XPS 15 and XPS 17 without interrupting what you are doing.

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Dell XPS Screenshot Shortcuts — Quick Reference

Method	Shortcut	Saves Automatically?	Best For
Full screen + auto save	Windows + PrtScn	✅ Yes	Quickest full screenshot
Select any area	Windows + Shift + S	❌ Save from notification	Partial screen capture
Copy to clipboard	PrtScn	❌ Paste manually	Pasting into docs or email
Active window only	Alt + PrtScn	❌ Paste manually	Capturing one clean window
Snipping Tool	Start → Snipping Tool	❌ Save manually	Editing and delayed snips
Game Bar	Windows + G	✅ Yes	Games and full-screen apps

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Where Are Screenshots Saved on Dell XPS?

The save location depends on which method you used:

• Windows + PrtScn → Saves automatically to This PC → Pictures → Screenshots
• Game Bar → Saves automatically to This PC → Videos → Captures
• PrtScn alone / Alt + PrtScn → Copies to clipboard only — paste and save manually
• Windows + Shift + S → Copies to clipboard — click the notification to save
• Snipping Tool → You choose the save location when you click Save As

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Screenshot Not Working on Dell XPS? Try These Fixes

Fix 1: Use Fn + PrtScn Instead of PrtScn

This is the most common fix for Dell XPS laptops. Therefore, press Fn + PrtScn instead of PrtScn alone and try again.

Fix 2: Check If Fn Lock Is Active

Dell XPS laptops have an Fn Lock feature. Press Fn + Esc to toggle it on or off. Then try your screenshot shortcut again.

Fix 3: Use Windows + Shift + S as a Backup

If PrtScn is completely unresponsive, press Windows + Shift + S instead. This method works on every Dell XPS regardless of keyboard layout. Furthermore, it does not require the PrtScn key at all.

Fix 4: Check If OneDrive Is Redirecting Screenshots

Some Dell XPS laptops have OneDrive set to save screenshots to the cloud automatically. As a result, your screenshots may not appear in the local Pictures folder. Open OneDrive Settings → Backup → Screenshots to check.

Fix 5: Run Dell SupportAssist

Dell XPS laptops come with Dell SupportAssist pre-installed. Open it from your Start menu and run a keyboard diagnostic. This confirms whether the PrtScn key is working correctly.

Fix 6: Update Your Dell XPS Drivers

Outdated drivers can cause keyboard shortcuts to stop working. Go to Device Manager → Keyboards → right-click → Update driver. Additionally, visit the Dell Support website and enter your XPS model number to download the latest keyboard drivers.

Fix 7: Restart Your Dell XPS

A simple restart fixes most temporary issues. Save your work, restart your laptop and try taking a screenshot again.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I screenshot on Dell XPS? Press Windows + PrtScn to take a full screenshot and save it automatically to Pictures → Screenshots. Alternatively, press Windows + Shift + S to select and capture any part of the screen.

How do I screenshot on Dell XPS 13? On Dell XPS 13, press Windows + PrtScn for a full auto-saved screenshot. If that does not work, try Fn + Windows + PrtScn as the compact XPS 13 keyboard sometimes requires the Fn key.

How do I screenshot on Dell XPS 15? On Dell XPS 15, press Windows + PrtScn to capture and save the full screen. Additionally, the Game Bar (Windows + G) works great on XPS 15 for capturing full-screen apps and games.

How do I screenshot on Dell XPS 17? On Dell XPS 17, all standard Windows shortcuts work — press Windows + PrtScn for a full screenshot or Windows + Shift + S to select a specific area of the large 17-inch display.

Where do screenshots go on Dell XPS? Screenshots taken with Windows + PrtScn save to This PC → Pictures → Screenshots. Screenshots taken with PrtScn alone copy to the clipboard and must be pasted and saved manually.

Why is my Dell XPS screenshot not working? The most common cause is the Fn key setting. Press Fn + PrtScn instead of PrtScn alone. If that does not work, press Windows + Shift + S as a reliable backup that works on every Dell XPS.

How do I take a scrolling screenshot on Dell XPS? Windows does not have a built-in scrolling screenshot tool. However, you can use a free app like ShareX or the GoFullPage browser extension to capture full web pages on your Dell XPS.

How do I screenshot on Dell XPS without a Print Screen key? Press Windows + Shift + S to open Snipping Tool and capture any area. Alternatively, open the Snipping Tool app directly from the Start menu — both work without a PrtScn key.

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