How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop & Desktop (Every Method)

Taking a screenshot on a Dell laptop should be straightforward — press a key, get an image. But Dell's keyboard layouts vary across models, and the Print Screen key isn't always where you expect it. On some Dell Inspiron and Precision models, PrtSc is a secondary function on F10 or Insert. On the XPS 13 Plus, it's on a capacitive touch bar. On Alienware, it shares a key with Home.

This guide covers every Dell screen capture method, with specific fixes for the keyboard issues Dell users actually run into.

Quick Reference: Dell Screenshot Shortcuts

If a shortcut doesn't work, read the section below on Dell keyboard differences — the fix is almost always an Fn key issue.

Method 1: Win + Shift + S (Recommended)

This is the most reliable method on any Dell laptop because it works regardless of where your PrtSc key is or whether Fn is required.

1. Press Win + Shift + S
2. The screen dims and a toolbar appears at the top
3. Choose a capture mode: rectangular, freeform, window, or fullscreen
4. Select the area you want to capture
5. The screenshot copies to your clipboard and a notification appears
6. Click the notification to open Snipping Tool for annotation and saving

This shortcut opens the Windows Snipping Tool overlay and works on every Dell model — Inspiron, XPS, Latitude, Precision, Alienware, Vostro, and G-series. It doesn't depend on the PrtSc key at all.

Method 2: Print Screen Key

The traditional Print Screen method still works on Dell, but you need to know where the key is on your specific model.

PrtSc — copies the entire screen to your clipboard. Open Paint, Word, or any image editor and press Ctrl + V to paste.

Alt + PrtSc — copies only the active window to your clipboard.

Win + PrtSc — captures the full screen and automatically saves it as a PNG file to C:\Users\YourName\Pictures\Screenshots. The screen dims briefly to confirm.

Where Is PrtSc on Dell Keyboards?

This is where Dell users run into problems. The PrtSc key location varies significantly by model:

Dell Inspiron — on many compact Inspiron models, PrtSc is the secondary function on the F10 key. Press Fn + F10 to activate Print Screen.

Dell XPS 15 — PrtSc is typically a dedicated key in the top row, to the right of F12 and left of Insert. No Fn key needed.

Dell XPS 13 Plus (9320) / XPS 13 (9345) — these models use a capacitive touch function row instead of physical keys. PrtSc is accessed through the touch bar. Many users find this unreliable due to the lack of tactile feedback. Use Win + Shift + S instead.

Dell Latitude — PrtSc often shares a key with another function. On some Latitude models, press Fn + PrtSc or Fn + Insert.

Dell Precision — on the Precision 5550 and similar models, Print Screen is mapped to Fn + F10 or Fn + Insert.

Dell Alienware — some Alienware models have a key labeled both HOME and PRT SCRN. Press Fn to toggle between them.

Dell G-series — gaming laptops generally have PrtSc accessible via the function row. Check whether Fn is needed based on your keyboard mode.

Fix: PrtSc Not Working on Dell

If Print Screen does nothing on your Dell laptop, try these steps in order:

1. Try Fn + PrtSc — most Dell laptops that seem "broken" just need the Fn key
2. Try Fn + Insert — Dell's official fallback for models without a dedicated PrtSc key
3. Try Fn + F10 — common on Inspiron and Precision models
4. Check Fn Lock — press Fn + Esc to toggle Fn Lock. This switches whether function keys default to their F-key or multimedia function
5. Check BIOS settings — restart and press F2 to enter BIOS. Under System Configuration, find Function Key Behavior and toggle between "Multimedia Key First" and "Function Key First"
6. Check Windows settings — on Windows 11, PrtSc may be set to open Snipping Tool instead of copying to clipboard. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Keyboard and toggle "Use the Print Screen key to open screen capture"

Method 3: Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is built into Windows 10 and 11 and works on every Dell model without worrying about the PrtSc key.

1. Press Win + Shift + S for the quick overlay, or search for "Snipping Tool" in the Start menu for the full app
2. Choose a capture mode — rectangular snip, freeform snip, window snip, or fullscreen snip
3. On Windows 11, you can set a delay (3, 5, or 10 seconds) before the capture triggers
4. After capturing, use the built-in editor to add annotations — arrows, highlights, text, and blur
5. Save as PNG, JPG, or GIF, or copy to clipboard

The Snipping Tool also supports screen recording on Windows 11 — open the app and click the Record button.

Method 4: Xbox Game Bar

The Xbox Game Bar is built into Windows 10 and 11 and is designed for gaming captures, but it works for any application.

1. Press Win + G to open the Game Bar overlay
2. Click the camera icon in the Capture widget, or press Win + Alt + PrtSc to capture the active window
3. Screenshots save to C:\Users\YourName\Videos\Captures

For screen recording, press Win + Alt + R to start and stop recording. Game Bar cannot capture the desktop or File Explorer — only application windows.

Method 5: Dell Tablet and 2-in-1 Mode

If you're using a Dell 2-in-1 like the Inspiron 14 2-in-1 or Latitude 2-in-1 in tablet mode with the keyboard folded back:

• Press Windows button + Volume Down simultaneously
• The screen dims briefly and the screenshot saves to Pictures > Screenshots

You can also open Snipping Tool from the Start menu using the touchscreen.

Screen Recording on Dell

Dell laptops don't include proprietary recording software. Use these built-in Windows options:

Xbox Game Bar — press Win + Alt + R to start recording. Works for any application window. Recordings save to Videos > Captures as MP4. Supports microphone and system audio.

Snipping Tool (Windows 11) — open the app and select the Record option. Supports microphone and system audio. Good for recording tutorials and walkthroughs.

For more advanced recording options, see our complete guide to screen recording software.

Beyond Basic Screenshots

If you need more than a raw screenshot — backgrounds, shadows, device mockups, or video — standard Windows tools won't get you there. A few options:

For polished screenshots, Captio is a browser extension that captures webpage elements individually and provides a full compositor with gradient backgrounds, 3D transforms, device frames, and video export. Good for social media posts, documentation, and presentations. There's also a free screenshot beautifier that adds backgrounds and styling without installing anything.

For scrolling captures, the built-in tools can't stitch long pages. See our full-page screenshot guide for browser-based solutions.

For annotation and editing, see our screenshot editing guide for the best tools to annotate, crop, and mark up captures.

Dell Screenshot FAQ

Why is my Print Screen key not working on my Dell laptop?

The most common reason is that your Dell model requires Fn + PrtSc instead of PrtSc alone. Many Dell Inspiron, Latitude, and Precision models map PrtSc as a secondary function on the F10 key or the Insert key. Try pressing Fn + PrtSc, Fn + Insert, or Fn + F10. If none work, check your BIOS Function Key Behavior setting — press F2 at startup, go to System Configuration, and toggle between Multimedia Key First and Function Key First.

Where does Dell save screenshots?

It depends on the method. Win + PrtSc saves to C:\Users\YourName\Pictures\Screenshots as a PNG. Win + Shift + S copies to clipboard and shows a notification — click it to save. PrtSc alone only copies to clipboard. Xbox Game Bar captures save to C:\Users\YourName\Videos\Captures. If OneDrive is enabled, screenshots may go to your OneDrive Pictures folder instead.

How do I screenshot on a Dell XPS 13 with the touch function row?

The Dell XPS 13 Plus (9320) and XPS 13 (9345) have a capacitive touch bar. Use Win + Shift + S instead — it's more reliable and doesn't depend on the touch row.

How do I take a screenshot on a Dell tablet or 2-in-1?

When the keyboard is folded back, press the Windows button + Volume Down simultaneously. The screenshot saves to Pictures > Screenshots.

Can I record my screen on a Dell laptop?

Yes. Press Win + Alt + R to record with Xbox Game Bar, or open Snipping Tool and use the Record option. Both are built into Windows. For more options, see our screen recording software guide.

Does Dell have its own screenshot software?

No. Dell does not include proprietary screenshot software. Dell Vantage and SupportAssist handle system diagnostics and updates — not screenshots.

Related Guides

• HP users — see our HP screenshot guide for HP-specific keyboard fixes
• Lenovo users — see our Lenovo and ThinkPad screenshot guide for ThinkPad keyboard layouts
• Windows 11 methods — learn every screenshot method in our Windows screen capture guide
• Snipping Tool deep dive — see our complete Snipping Tool guide for all features and shortcuts
• Screenshot editing — learn how to annotate and style captures in our screenshot editing guide