Dell laptop keyboard showing the Print Screen and function keys
These four methods work on any Dell running Windows 10 or 11, ranked from fastest single-keystroke option to the most flexible for editing before you save.
1. PrtScn — full screen to clipboard (fastest)
Press the PrtScn key alone to copy the entire screen to your clipboard, ready to paste into an email, document, or image editor. Nothing saves to a file automatically — you need to paste it somewhere.
Dell-specific note: on many Dell laptops, PrtScn shares a key with a function row shortcut. If pressing it alone doesn’t work, try Fn + PrtScn.
2. Windows + PrtScn — full screen, saved automatically
Adds the Windows key to the same shortcut, and the screenshot saves automatically as a file in Pictures > Screenshots — no pasting required. This is the version to use when you want a permanent file without an extra step.
3. Windows + Shift + S — select a specific region
Opens the Snip & Sketch selection tool, letting you drag a custom rectangle, capture a specific window, or grab the full screen. The result copies to your clipboard, ready to paste, with a notification offering quick markup before saving.
⚠️ What actually breaks:
On some Dell business laptops with additional Dell-specific keyboard utilities installed, this shortcut can be intercepted by Dell’s own software before Windows sees it. If Windows + Shift + S does nothing, check Dell Mobile Connect or Dell Optimizer settings for a conflicting hotkey assignment.
4. Snipping Tool app — for editing before you save
Open the Snipping Tool directly from the Start menu for the same region/window/full-screen options as method 3, but with the app window open first — useful if you want to set a capture delay or access editing tools immediately rather than through a notification popup.
Quick reference
| Method | Saves automatically | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| PrtScn | No (clipboard only) | Quick paste into another app |
| Windows + PrtScn | Yes | Permanent file, no extra steps |
| Windows + Shift + S | No (clipboard, with markup option) | Custom region capture |
| Snipping Tool app | No (manual save) | Capture delay, immediate editing |
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn’t PrtScn work on my Dell laptop?
Try Fn + PrtScn — many Dell keyboards require the function key to access the standalone Print Screen action.
Where do Dell screenshots save by default?
Windows + PrtScn saves to Pictures > Screenshots automatically. Other methods copy to clipboard only, requiring a manual save.
Related reading: How to record your screen on Windows 11 (no extra software) · Screenpresso review · TechSmith Snagit review