The fastest way to screenshot on Dell

On most Dell computers running Windows, press Print Screen (often labeled PrtScn) to capture your entire screen. The image goes into your clipboard — you won't see it save anywhere, but you can paste it into Paint, Word, email, or any other program by pressing Ctrl+V.

If you want to capture only part of your screen, press Windows key + Shift + S. A crosshair cursor appears, and you can click and drag to select the area you want. The screenshot automatically copies to your clipboard and a small notification appears in the bottom right corner.

For a full-screen capture that saves directly as a file instead of going to your clipboard, press Windows key + Print Screen. Windows saves the image as a PNG file in your Pictures folder under Screenshots.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen alone to copy your entire screen to the clipboard, then paste it into any program.
  • Press Windows key + Shift + S to select and capture only part of your screen with a crosshair tool.
  • Press Windows key + Print Screen to save a full-screen screenshot directly to your Pictures folder as a file.
  • If Print Screen does not work, check your keyboard for an Fn key and try Fn + Print Screen instead.
  • The Snipping Tool and Screenshot app (built into Windows 10 and later) offer additional options like delay timers and annotation tools.

Understanding the three main screenshot methods

Dell computers come with Windows pre-installed, and Windows offers three straightforward ways to capture your screen. Each method serves a different purpose depending on whether you want to save the image as a file, edit it before saving, or just paste it somewhere quickly.

The Print Screen key is the oldest and simplest method — it works on nearly every Dell keyboard and requires no setup. The Windows key + Shift + S combination is newer and gives you more control by letting you select just the part you need. The Windows key + Print Screen method is the most automatic because it skips the clipboard step and saves directly to a folder you can find later.

Using Print Screen for clipboard capture

When you press Print Screen, Windows copies an image of your entire screen to the clipboard. Nothing appears to happen on your screen, and no file is created — the image just sits in memory waiting for you to paste it.

Open any program that accepts images: Paint, Word, Outlook, Gmail, Slack, Discord, or even a text editor. Press Ctrl+V to paste the screenshot. The image appears in the document or message. From there you can resize it, crop it, or send it.

This method is fastest if you just need to share a quick screenshot in a message or email. The downside is that the image disappears from your clipboard as soon as you copy something else — if you close the program without saving, the screenshot is gone.

Selecting part of your screen with Windows key + Shift + S

Press Windows key + Shift + S to open the screenshot selection tool. Your screen dims slightly and a crosshair cursor appears. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the part of the screen you want to capture.

When you release the mouse, the selected area is copied to your clipboard. A small notification box appears in the bottom right corner with options to open the Snipping Tool or access your screenshot history. You can paste the image when ready using Ctrl+V, just like with Print Screen.

This method is useful when you only need a portion of your screen — a single window, a paragraph of text, or a specific image. It saves you from having to crop the full screenshot later.

Saving screenshots directly to a file

Press Windows key + Print Screen to capture your entire screen and save it as a file in one step. Windows saves the image as a PNG file in your Pictures folder under a subfolder called Screenshots. The file name includes the date and time, like Screenshot (2024-01-15 14-32-45).png.

This method is best when you want to keep screenshots organized without having to manually save them each time. You can find all your screenshots in one place and don't have to worry about losing them if you close a program.

If you want to edit the screenshot before saving, you can open the file from your Pictures folder in Paint or any image editor. Right-click the file, select Open With, and choose your preferred program.

Troubleshooting when Print Screen does not work

Some Dell keyboards have an Fn key that changes how other keys work. If Print Screen does not capture anything, try pressing Fn + Print Screen instead. On some models, you may need to hold Fn and press the key labeled with a camera or screenshot icon.

Check your keyboard's printed labels — if Print Screen shares a key with another function (like volume control), you likely need the Fn key. You can also check your Dell's user manual or support page to confirm the correct key combination for your specific model.

If none of the keyboard shortcuts work, use the built-in Snipping Tool or Screenshot app instead. Search for "Snipping Tool" in your Windows search bar and open it — it provides a button-based interface for capturing your screen without relying on keyboard shortcuts.

Using the Snipping Tool for more control

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows program that offers more options than the keyboard shortcuts. Search for "Snipping Tool" in your Windows search bar and open it. You can choose to capture a free-form shape, a rectangular selection, a window, or your entire screen.

The Snipping Tool also lets you set a delay before the capture starts — useful if you need to open a menu or hover over something before taking the screenshot. After you capture, the image opens in the Snipping Tool's editor where you can draw on it, highlight areas, or erase parts before saving.

Windows 11 includes an updated app called Screenshot with similar features. Both programs save your screenshots as files you can name and organize however you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do screenshots go when I press Print Screen?

They go to your clipboard, which is temporary memory. You must paste the image into a program (like Paint, Word, or email) within a few minutes, or it will be replaced when you copy something else. If you want the screenshot to stay permanently, paste it into a program and save the file, or use Windows key + Print Screen to save directly to your Pictures folder.

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes. Press Alt + Print Screen to capture only the active window instead of the entire screen. The image goes to your clipboard just like a full-screen capture. You can also use Windows key + Shift + S and drag to select just the window you need.

How do I edit a screenshot after I take it?

If you used Windows key + Shift + S, click the notification that appears in the bottom right to open the Snipping Tool editor. If you saved the file using Windows key + Print Screen, open your Pictures folder, right-click the screenshot, and select Open With Paint or another image editor. You can then crop, draw on, or resize the image before saving.

What format are screenshots saved in?

Screenshots saved with Windows key + Print Screen are PNG files, which preserve quality and work in any browser or image program. If you paste a screenshot into Paint and save it yourself, you can choose other formats like JPG or BMP, but PNG is the standard.

Can I take a screenshot of my entire screen if I have multiple monitors?

Yes. Press Print Screen or Windows key + Print Screen to capture all monitors at once. If you want to capture only one monitor, use Windows key + Shift + S and drag to select just that monitor's area.