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 to your clipboard — you won't see it saved anywhere yet. Open Paint, Word, or any program that accepts images, then press Ctrl + V to paste it.

If you want to capture only part of your screen, press Windows key + Shift + S. Your screen will dim and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to select the area you want, then release. The screenshot goes to your clipboard and a notification appears in the bottom right corner — click it to open the Snipping Tool, where you can save the image as a file.

Both methods work on Dell laptops and desktop computers. The Windows key is usually in the bottom left corner of your keyboard, next to the spacebar.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen to copy your entire screen to the clipboard, then paste it into Paint or another program.
  • Press Windows key + Shift + S to select and capture only part of your screen, which is faster than capturing everything and cropping later.
  • Screenshots go to your clipboard first — you must paste them into a program or use the Snipping Tool notification to save them as files.
  • The Snipping Tool (Windows key + Shift + S) lets you save screenshots directly without opening another program.

Using the Snipping Tool for more control

The Snipping Tool is built into Windows and gives you more options than Print Screen alone. Press Windows key + Shift + S to open it. Your screen dims and you can drag to select a rectangular area, a freeform shape, or your entire window. After you release, a small window appears in the bottom right corner with your screenshot.

Click that notification to open the full Snipping Tool window. From there you can draw on the screenshot with a pen or highlighter, erase parts of it, or save it as a PNG or JPG file to your computer. You can also copy it to your clipboard to paste elsewhere.

If you want to take a screenshot after a delay (useful if you need time to open a menu), press Windows key + Shift + S, then click the timer icon in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Choose a delay of 3 or 10 seconds, and the countdown begins.

Saving screenshots to a specific folder

By default, screenshots you capture with Print Screen go only to your clipboard — they don't automatically save as files. If you want them to save automatically, use the Snipping Tool instead, which lets you choose where to save each one.

Alternatively, you can change a Windows setting so that Print Screen saves directly to a Screenshots folder. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to System > Clipboard. Turn on Clipboard history. This doesn't auto-save screenshots, but it keeps them in your clipboard history so you can find them later.

For the most control, open Paint (search for "Paint" in the Windows search bar), press Ctrl + V to paste your screenshot, then press Ctrl + S to save it. You can choose the file name and folder yourself.

Screenshots on Dell laptops with function keys

Some Dell laptops have the Print Screen function combined with another key, usually F12 or a key with a camera icon. If pressing Print Screen alone doesn't work, try holding Fn + Print Screen (or Fn + F12). The Fn key is usually in the bottom left corner of your keyboard.

Check your keyboard — if Print Screen shares a key with another function, you may need to hold Fn to use it. If you're not sure which key it is, look for a key with a camera or screen icon, or check your Dell manual online by searching "[your model number] manual" in a search engine.

Pasting and editing your screenshot

Once you've taken a screenshot with Print Screen, it's in your clipboard. Open any program that accepts images — Paint, Word, Outlook, or even an email draft — and press Ctrl + V to paste it.

If you want to edit the screenshot (crop it, add text, or draw on it), Paint is the simplest option. Search for "Paint" in the Windows search bar and open it. Press Ctrl + V to paste your screenshot, then use the tools in the toolbar to crop, draw, or add text. When you're done, press Ctrl + S to save it as a file.

The Snipping Tool is faster if you only want to capture part of the screen — it lets you select the area first, then edit and save in one place.

Troubleshooting when screenshots don't work

If Print Screen isn't working, the most common cause is that your keyboard driver needs updating. Press Windows key + X, then click Device Manager. Find Keyboards in the list, right-click it, and select Update driver. Windows will search for the latest version.

If the Snipping Tool won't open, restart your computer. If it still doesn't work, press Windows key + I to open Settings, go to Apps > Apps and features, search for "Snipping Tool," and click Repair.

On some Dell computers with special function keys, you may need to press a combination like Fn + Prt Sc or check your Dell support page for your specific model. Search "[your Dell model] screenshot" on Dell's website to find the exact key combination for your laptop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do screenshots go when I press Print Screen?

They go to your clipboard, which is temporary storage in your computer's memory. You must paste them into a program like Paint or Word to see them, or use the Snipping Tool to save them as a file. If you close your computer or restart it, clipboard screenshots are lost.

Can I take a screenshot of just one window?

Yes. Press Windows key + Shift + S to open the Snipping Tool, then click the window snip icon in the toolbar (it looks like a small rectangle). Move your cursor over the window you want and click it — the entire window will be captured.

How do I take a screenshot without using the keyboard?

Open the Snipping Tool by searching for it in the Windows search bar. Click New at the top, then drag to select the area you want. You can also use the Snipping Tool menu to set a timer so you have time to set up what you're capturing.

What's the difference between Print Screen and the Snipping Tool?

Print Screen captures your entire screen to the clipboard only — you can't see or save it without pasting it elsewhere. The Snipping Tool lets you select part of the screen, edit it, and save it as a file in one place, making it faster for most tasks.

Can I take a screenshot of a video or streaming content?

Screenshots of videos usually capture a black or blank area because of copyright protection. Some streaming services block screenshots entirely. For most other content, Print Screen and the Snipping Tool work normally.