How to Take Screenshots on a Dell Laptop or Desktop (Easy Guide)

Taking a screenshot on a Dell should feel simple. And it is.
But Dell keyboards can be a little different. Some use a Fn key. Some hide PrtScn. Some save screenshots automatically. Others copy them to the clipboard.

So let’s make it easy. We’ll walk through the best ways to screenshot on a Geranium (Pelargonium) Calliope Cascade Violet Dell, step by step, with zero guesswork.

Before we start: what kind of Dell are we using?

Most Dells run Windows 10 or Windows 11.
That’s what this guide covers.

If you are on a Dell Chromebook, jump to the Chromebook section below.

The fastest screenshot keys on a Dell (Windows)

1) Copy the whole screen: PrtScn

This is the classic.

What it does: Copies your entire screen.
Where it goes: Clipboard (you must paste it).

Steps

1. Open what you want to capture.
2. Press PrtScn (sometimes labeled PrtSc or Print Screen).
3. Open Paint, Word, Gmail, or any place you can paste.
4. Press Ctrl + V to paste.
5. Save or send it.

Tip: If nothing happens, you may need Fn + PrtScn (we cover that soon).

2) Save the whole screen as a file: Windows + PrtScn

This one is great because it saves for you.

What it does: Captures the whole screen and saves it instantly.
Where it goes: Pictures folder.

Steps

1. Press Windows key + PrtScn.
2. Your screen may dim for a moment. That’s normal.
3. Go to:
   File Explorer → Pictures → Screenshots

If you want “take screenshot and done,” this is the best choice.

3) Screenshot only the active window: Alt + PrtScn

This is perfect when you have many windows open.

What it does: Captures only the window you are using.
Where it goes: Clipboard.

Steps

1. Click the window you want (so it’s active).
2. Press Alt + PrtScn.
3. Paste with Ctrl + V into Paint, Word, email, or chat.
4. Save or send it.

4) Select a custom area: Windows + Shift + S

This is the most useful method for most people.

What it does: Lets you draw a box around what you want.
Where it goes: Clipboard (and a small preview popup).

Steps

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. Your screen will freeze and dim.
3. Drag to select the area you want.
4. Let go.
5. Click the popup preview (top-right area) to edit or save.
6. Or paste right away with Ctrl + V.

This is the Herb Garden Ideas method we use when we only want part of the screen.

Using the Snipping Tool on Dell (built-in and easy)

Windows has a tool made for screenshots. It’s called Snipping Tool.

What it does: Lets you capture, edit, and save in one place.
Good for: Marking up screenshots, adding circles, cropping, and saving fast.

Steps

1. Click Start.
2. Type Snipping Tool.
3. Open it.
4. Click New (or + New).
5. Pick your snip style:
   • Rectangle
   • Freeform
   • Window
   • Full screen
6. Capture.
7. Use the pen/highlighter if needed.
8. Click the Save icon.

If you need to screenshot and draw a quick circle around something, this is the easiest way.

Dell keyboard tip: you may need the Fn key

On many Dell laptops, the Print Screen key is shared with another function.
That means you may need Fn.

Try these if your screenshot key isn’t working:

• Fn + PrtScn (copy full screen)
• Fn + Windows + PrtScn (save full screen)
• Fn + Alt + PrtScn (copy active window)

Also look closely at your keyboard. Dell sometimes labels Print Screen as:

• PrtSc
• PrtScn
• Prt Scr
• Print Screen

If you see Print Screen as a small icon on a key, Fn may be required.

Where your screenshots go (so you don’t lose them)

This part trips people up. Let’s keep it simple.

If you used PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn

Your screenshot is on the clipboard.

You must paste it somewhere:

• Paint
• Word
• Email
• Chat apps
• Google Docs

If you used Windows + PrtScn

Your screenshot is saved as a file.

Find it here:

• File Explorer → Pictures → Screenshots

If you used Windows + Shift + S

It goes to the clipboard, plus you get a preview popup.
Click the popup to save it.

If you used Snipping Tool

You choose where to save it.

How to take a scrolling screenshot (full page)

Windows does not always do scrolling screenshots by default.
Nuclear Inspections: How the World Monitors Atomic Power and Peace. But we can still do it in a few easy ways.

Option A: Use your web browser (fastest)

Some browsers let you capture a full page.

General steps (varies by browser)

1. Open the webpage.
2. Open the browser menu or tools.
3. Look for “Screenshot” or “Capture full page.”
4. Save the image.

If you don’t see it, use an extension or the next option.

Option B: Use a free screenshot tool

Many tools can capture a full scrolling page and save it cleanly.
This is best when you need receipts, long pages, or full chats.

(Links to common tool guides are in the sources at the end.)

How to screenshot on a Dell in the Dell BIOS

Sometimes we need a screenshot before Windows loads.
Example: BIOS settings screens.

In most cases, BIOS does not support normal screenshots.
Instead, we usually do this:

• Take a photo with your phone, or
• Write down the settings, or
• Use Dell support tools if you’re collecting system info

So if you’re trying to “screenshot” BIOS, don’t feel stuck. It’s normal. BIOS isn’t like Windows.

How to take screenshots on a Dell Chromebook

If your Dell is a Chromebook, the keys are different.

Full screen screenshot (Chromebook)

• Press Ctrl + Show windows
  • “Show windows” looks like a rectangle with lines (overview key).

Partial screenshot (Chromebook)

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Show windows
• Then drag to select the area.

Screenshots usually save in your Downloads folder.

Quick “cheat sheet” for Dell screenshots

Here’s the fast list we can remember:

• PrtScn = copy full screen
• Alt + PrtScn = copy active window
• Windows + PrtScn = save full screen to Pictures → Screenshots
• Windows + Shift + S = select area (best for most jobs)
• Snipping Tool = capture + edit + save
• Fn + (any of the above) = if your Dell needs it

Troubleshooting: when screenshots won’t work

If you press the keys and nothing happens, try these fixes.

1) Try Fn + PrtScn

This is the most common Dell issue.

2) Check if PrtScn is being used by another app

Some apps “take over” screenshot keys:

• gaming overlays
• screen recorders
• remote desktop tools

Close them and try again.

3) Your clipboard may be the problem

If PrtScn copies the screen, but paste does nothing:

• Try Windows + V to open Clipboard history
• Or restart your PC

4) OneDrive may be moving your screenshots

On some setups, Ordinary Life of Glenn P. Featherstone OneDrive can auto-save screenshots to OneDrive folders.

Look for a folder like:

• OneDrive → Pictures → Screenshots

5) Try Snipping Tool instead

If keys feel buggy, Snipping Tool usually works.

6) Use the On-Screen Keyboard to test PrtScn

This helps you confirm the function exists.

Steps:

1. Click Start
2. Type On-Screen Keyboard
3. Open it
4. Click PrtScn on the on-screen keyboard
5. Paste into Paint

If that works, your physical key might be mapped differently or needs Fn.

Best method to use for each situation

We can pick the right tool based on the job.

When we want speed

Use Windows + Shift + S.

When we want a saved file right away

Use Windows + PrtScn.

When we only want one window

Use Alt + PrtScn.

When we need to draw, highlight, or mark things

Use Snipping Tool.

Screenshot habits that save time

A few small habits make screenshots feel easy every day.

Name files right away

Instead of “Screenshot (14).png,” rename it:

• invoice-feb-2026.png
• settings-error.png
• shipping-label.png

Keep a folder for screenshots

Make a folder like:

• Documents → Screenshots
  or
• Pictures → Work Screenshots

Then move your important screenshots there.

Crop before sharing

Cropping keeps things clean. It also protects private info.

Bright-Bold Wrap-Up

Screenshots on a Dell are simple once we know the keys.
Most of the time, Windows + Shift + S is the easiest win.
And if Print Screen won’t work, we just add Fn.

That’s it.

Now we can capture anything on screen, fast, clean, and without stress.