How to screenshot on a Dell computer

Step by step on a Dell Windows computer

1. 1Find the Print Screen key on your Dell Windows computerIt is usually labelled PrtScn, PrtSc or Print Sc on the top row. On Dell laptops such as XPS, Latitude and Inspiron, Print Screen often shares the key with Insert.
2. 2Capture the whole screenPress Windows + Print Screen. The display dims briefly and a PNG is saved to Pictures\Screenshots.
3. 3Capture a region insteadPress Windows + Shift + S, drag across the area, and the snip is copied to the clipboard.
4. 4Capture only the active windowPress Alt + Print Screen, then paste into Paint or a document with Ctrl + V.
5. 5Save and rename the fileIn the Snipping Tool editor press Ctrl + S, then use a descriptive filename so you can find the capture later.

Notes specific to Dell Windows computer hardware

• Dell's Fn Lock is usually Fn + Esc; the lock indicator lights on the Esc key.
• Function-key behaviour can also be changed in BIOS setup under 'Function Key Behavior'.
• Dell laptops with a numeric keypad place Print Screen to the right of the function row.
• Dell desktop keyboards have a dedicated Print Screen key with no Fn requirement.
• Screenshots still land in Pictures\Screenshots — Dell does not change the Windows default.

Windows screenshot keyboard shortcuts

These shortcuts are part of Windows itself and work in File Explorer, Chrome and any desktop application.

Where Windows saves your screenshots

• Windows + Print Screen saves PNG files to This PC \ Pictures \ Screenshots.
• Windows + Alt + Print Screen saves to This PC \ Videos \ Captures via Xbox Game Bar.
• Windows + Shift + S copies to the clipboard first; the file only exists once you save it from the Snipping Tool editor.
• Print Screen and Alt + Print Screen copy to the clipboard only — paste into an editor or document with Ctrl + V.

You can move the Screenshots folder: right-click it, open Properties, then the Location tab, and choose a new path.

Troubleshooting when the screenshot does not work

• Nothing happens on Print Screen: on a Dell Windows computer the key may be shared with a function key. Try Fn + Print Screen or Fn + Windows + Print Screen.
• Windows + Shift + S does nothing: check Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard, and make sure the Snipping Tool app is installed and updated from the Microsoft Store.
• The screen does not dim: another application may have taken the hotkey. Close capture tools running in the notification area and try again.
• Screenshots are black: this usually means hardware-protected content, such as a DRM video player. Capture the window with a different tool or disable hardware acceleration in that application.
• The file never appears: Windows + Print Screen writes to Pictures\Screenshots. If OneDrive is managing your Pictures folder, look inside OneDrive \ Pictures \ Screenshots.

Recommended Windows software

Frequently asked questions

Where is Print Screen on a Dell laptop?

In the top row, often shared with Insert and labelled PrtScr. Hold Fn if the label is in a secondary colour.

How do I screenshot on a Dell without Print Screen?

Press Windows + Shift + S, which works on every Dell running Windows 10 or Windows 11.