The fastest way: Print Screen and Snip & Sketch

The quickest method on a Dell PC is to press the Print Screen key (labeled PrtScn or PrtSc on your keyboard), then open the Snip & Sketch app and paste. This captures your entire screen into the clipboard. Snip & Sketch is built into Windows 10 and later, so you do not need to install anything.

After pressing Print Screen, type "Snip & Sketch" into the Windows search box at the bottom left of your screen. Click the app when it appears. Press Ctrl + V to paste your screenshot, then click the save icon (a floppy disk) in the top right corner. Choose where to save the file — your Pictures folder is the default location.

This method works on all Dell PCs running Windows 10 or later. The screenshot saves as a PNG file, which is a standard image format that opens in any photo viewer or web browser.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Print Screen, then open Snip & Sketch and paste with Ctrl + V to capture your entire screen in seconds.
  • The Windows Snipping Tool (older Windows versions) and Snip & Sketch (Windows 10 and later) both let you select just part of your screen instead of the whole thing.
  • Screenshots save to your Pictures folder by default, but you can choose a different location when you save.
  • The keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S opens the screenshot tool directly without needing to paste first.
  • Dell PCs do not have a special screenshot button — you use the same Windows tools that come with any PC.

Using Windows Key + Shift + S for faster selection

If you want to capture only part of your screen instead of the whole thing, press Windows Key + Shift + S. Your screen will dim and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture.

When you release the mouse, a small toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen. Click the save icon (the folder) to choose where to save your screenshot. This method is faster than Print Screen because you do not have to open a separate app — the screenshot tool opens directly.

This keyboard shortcut works on Windows 10 and later. If you are using an older version of Windows, use the Snipping Tool instead (search for "Snipping Tool" in the Windows search box).

Where screenshots save and how to find them

By default, screenshots save to your Pictures folder. To find them, open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar), click "Pictures" on the left side, and look for files named "Screenshot" followed by a date and time. They appear in the order you took them, with the newest ones at the bottom.

You can change where screenshots save before you take them. When you use Snip & Sketch or Windows Key + Shift + S, the save dialog lets you pick a different folder — your Desktop, Documents, or any other location on your Dell PC. Just click the folder you want before clicking "Save."

Screenshots are image files, so they take up storage space. If you take many screenshots, your Pictures folder can fill up. You can delete old screenshots by right-clicking them and selecting "Delete," or move them to an external drive to free up space on your Dell PC.

Copying screenshots to paste into emails or documents

If you want to paste a screenshot directly into an email, Word document, or web form without saving it as a file first, press Print Screen, then go to the program where you want to paste it. Click in the text area and press Ctrl + V. The screenshot appears when ready.

This method is useful when you are writing an email to tech support or filling out an online form. You do not have to save the screenshot to your computer — it goes straight into the document. If you change your mind, press Ctrl + Z to undo the paste.

The screenshot stays in your clipboard for a few minutes, so you can paste it into multiple places if you need to. Once you copy something else (like text or another image), the screenshot is replaced and you cannot paste it anymore.

Taking screenshots of just one window

To capture only the window you are looking at instead of the entire screen, press Alt + Print Screen. This copies just the active window to your clipboard. Then open Snip & Sketch and paste with Ctrl + V, or paste directly into an email or document with Ctrl + V.

This is helpful when you have multiple windows open and only want to show one of them. For example, if you are troubleshooting a problem in one program but have other windows open behind it, Alt + Print Screen captures only the window in front.

Make sure the window you want is in focus (clicked on) before you press Alt + Print Screen. If you click on a different window by accident, the screenshot will capture that window instead.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is pressing Print Screen and then wondering where the screenshot went. Print Screen copies the image to your clipboard, but does not save it as a file. You must paste it into Snip & Sketch or another program, then save it. If you do not save it, the screenshot disappears when you copy something else.

Another mistake is taking a screenshot of your entire screen when you only need part of it. This wastes storage space and makes the image harder to read. Use Windows Key + Shift + S instead to select just the area you need.

Some people also forget to check that the right window is active before pressing Alt + Print Screen. If you want a screenshot of your email but you accidentally clicked on your web browser, you will get a screenshot of the browser instead. Always click on the window you want before taking the screenshot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take a screenshot of just my mouse cursor?

No — screenshots do not include the mouse cursor by default. If you need to show where the cursor is pointing, you can use a third-party tool like ShareX (free) or Greenshot (free), which have options to include the cursor. For most purposes, you do not need the cursor in the screenshot.

What if Print Screen does not work on my Dell keyboard?

Some Dell laptops use the Fn key to access Print Screen. Try pressing Fn + Print Screen instead. If that does not work, check your keyboard manual or search for your specific Dell model online. You can also use Windows Key + Shift + S, which works on all Dell PCs regardless of keyboard layout.

Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?

Yes. After you save a screenshot, right-click it in your Pictures folder and open it with Paint (built into Windows). You can draw on it, add text, crop it, or change the colors. Snip & Sketch also has basic editing tools — look for the pen and highlighter icons in the toolbar after you paste.

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

Press Print Screen to capture all monitors at once, then paste into Snip & Sketch. If you want to capture only one monitor, use Windows Key + Shift + S and drag a rectangle around just that monitor. Print Screen captures everything, so if you only need one monitor, the selection method is faster.

What file format do screenshots save in?

Screenshots from Snip & Sketch save as PNG files by default. PNG is a standard image format that works with all photo viewers, email programs, and web browsers. You can also save as JPG if you want a smaller file size, though PNG is usually better for screenshots because it keeps the text sharp.