If you want to know how to screenshot on a Dell laptop, Windows provides several built-in options. Press Windows + PrtScn to save the entire screen, Windows + Shift + S to select an area, or Alt + PrtScn to copy the active window. Some Dell keyboards require you to hold the Fn key as well, depending on the model and keyboard settings.
Dell Screenshot Shortcuts at a Glance
| Shortcut or tool | What it captures | Where the screenshot goes |
|---|---|---|
| PrtScn | Entire screen | Clipboard |
| Windows + PrtScn | Entire screen | Pictures > Screenshots |
| Windows + Shift + S | Selected area, window, or screen | Clipboard; save through Snipping Tool |
| Alt + PrtScn | Active window | Clipboard |
| Snipping Tool | Selected area, window, or full screen | Save manually |
| Xbox Game Bar | Game or supported app window | Videos > Captures, usually |
| On-Screen Keyboard | Depends on the shortcut selected | Same destination as the shortcut used |
| Third-party screenshot tool | Depends on the tool | Depends on its settings |
8 Way How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop
1. Capture the Entire Screen on a Dell Laptop
To copy everything visible on your screen, press PrtScn. The image is copied to the clipboard, so you can paste it into Paint, Word, an email, or another compatible application using Ctrl + V.
To save a screenshot directly as a file, press Windows + PrtScn. On supported Windows keyboards, the screen may briefly dim. Open File Explorer > Pictures > Screenshots to find the image.
If the shortcut does not work, check whether your Dell keyboard requires the Fn key.
2. Screenshot a Selected Area
Use Windows + Shift + S when you want to capture only part of the screen.
- Press Windows + Shift + S.
- Choose a rectangular snip, freeform snip, window snip, or full-screen snip from the toolbar, depending on the options shown.
- Select the area or window you want to capture.
- Click the screenshot notification if it appears to open the image in Snipping Tool.
- Select Save and choose a location.
The capture is copied to the clipboard initially. It is not necessarily saved as a file until you save it.
3. Capture Only the Active Window
To capture a particular application without including the rest of the desktop, click its window and press Alt + PrtScn.
The screenshot is copied to the clipboard. Open Paint or another image-compatible application, press Ctrl + V, and save the image.
4. Use Snipping Tool
Snipping Tool is built into modern versions of Windows and is useful when you want more control over a screenshot.
- Open the Start menu.
- Search for Snipping Tool and open it.
- Select New.
- Choose the capture mode and select the area you need.
- Use the available annotation tools if necessary, then save the screenshot.
You can also use Windows + Shift + S to start a snip quickly.
5. Use the Xbox Game Bar
For games and supported applications, press Windows + G to open Xbox Game Bar. Look for the Capture widget and select the screenshot option. The usual screenshot shortcut is Windows + Alt + PrtScn.
Captures are generally saved in Videos > Captures. Availability can depend on the application and Windows configuration, so use Snipping Tool for ordinary desktop screenshots if Game Bar cannot capture the content.
6. Use the On-Screen Keyboard
If your physical keyboard’s Print Screen key is missing or faulty, Windows has an On-Screen Keyboard.
- Open Start and search for On-Screen Keyboard.
- Launch it.
- Use its available keys to activate the appropriate screenshot shortcut.
- Paste the capture into an image editor or save it using the relevant Windows tool.
The exact steps depend on which screenshot method you use.
7. Use a Third-Party Screenshot Tool
A third-party tool may help if you regularly need scrolling captures, annotations, or more advanced editing. Choose a reputable application from its official website, review its permissions, and check whether its free version meets your needs.
For occasional screenshots, Windows’ built-in tools are usually sufficient.
8. What to Do If the Screenshot Shortcut Does Not Work
On Dell laptops, the most important first check is the keyboard’s Fn key. The Print Screen key may share space with another function, and its behavior varies across models.
Try these checks in order:
- Check the key label: Find PrtScn, Print Screen, or a similar abbreviation. It may share a key with another function.
- Try Fn + PrtScn: If pressing PrtScn alone does not work, hold Fn while pressing it. Depending on the keyboard, you may need a different combination.
- Use Windows + Shift + S: This is a useful alternative if the physical Print Screen key is difficult to use.
- Check the clipboard: If you used PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn, open Paint and press Ctrl + V. The screenshot may have been copied rather than saved.
- Open Snipping Tool directly: If the shortcut fails, launching the tool from Start can help you determine whether the problem is limited to the keyboard shortcut.
Keyboard layouts and Fn-key behavior vary by Dell model. If the key combination remains unclear, consult the documentation for your specific laptop on the Dell Support website.
For additional Windows troubleshooting, see our guide to fixing Windows Update errors. Only investigate Windows updates if you have a broader system problem; updating Windows is not normally necessary just to take a screenshot.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop
Where are screenshots saved on a Dell laptop?
Screenshots captured with Windows + PrtScn are usually saved in Pictures > Screenshots. Captures made with PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn are copied to the clipboard until you paste and save them. Snipping Tool screenshots must be saved manually if you want a file.
Why does my Dell laptop need the Fn key to take a screenshot?
Some Dell keyboards share Print Screen with another function. Depending on the model and keyboard settings, you may need to hold Fn to activate the Print Screen function.
Can I take a screenshot without the Print Screen key?
Yes. Press Windows + Shift + S to open the snipping toolbar, or open Snipping Tool from the Start menu.
Does this work on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Most of these methods work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The appearance of Snipping Tool and some available options may differ by version.
Conclusion On How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop
The quickest way to screenshot on a Dell laptop depends on what you need to capture. Use Windows + PrtScn to save the whole screen, Windows + Shift + S to select an area, and Alt + PrtScn to copy the active window. If a shortcut fails, check the Fn key and whether the image was copied to the clipboard instead of saved as a file.