To print screen on a Dell laptop, the most common methods involve using the PrntScrn key, often in combination with other keys, depending on whether you want to save the image automatically or copy it to the clipboard.
Capturing your screen on a Dell laptop allows you to save images of exactly what you see displayed. This can be useful for troubleshooting, sharing information, or saving memorable moments.
Easy Ways to Capture Your Dell Laptop Screen
There are several ways to take a screenshot on a Dell laptop running Windows, each with slightly different results.
Save the Full Screen Automatically
Based on the provided reference, the simplest way to capture the entire screen and have it saved automatically as a file is by using a specific key combination.
- Press the Windows logo key + PrntScrn key together.
When you use this combination, your screen may dim momentarily, indicating that a screenshot has been taken. The screenshot is not copied to your clipboard; instead, the screenshot is saved in the Screenshots folder in the Pictures folder. You can navigate to This PC > Pictures > Screenshots to find your saved images, which are typically named sequentially (e.g., Screenshot (1).png, Screenshot (2).png).
- Note from Reference: On tablets, press the Windows logo button + the volume down button together to achieve a similar result.
Copy the Screen to the Clipboard
You might prefer to copy the screenshot directly to your clipboard, allowing you to paste it into an image editor, document, or email immediately.
- Press the
PrntScrnkey: This copies the entire screen to the clipboard. - Press
Alt + PrntScrn: This copies only the currently active window to the clipboard.
After pressing either of these combinations, the image is temporarily stored. To see or save it, you need to paste it. Open a program like Paint, Word, or any image editor (Ctrl + V) to paste the screenshot, and then save it as a file if needed.
Using Built-in Windows Tools
Windows also provides more flexible tools for taking screenshots:
- Snipping Tool (Older Windows versions) / Snip & Sketch (Windows 10/11): Access these by searching for "Snipping Tool" or "Snip & Sketch" in the Windows search bar. These tools let you define exactly what part of the screen you want to capture (rectangular snip, freeform snip, window snip, or full-screen snip) and offer basic editing features before saving or copying. A quick way to open Snip & Sketch is by pressing
Windows logo key + Shift + S.
Screenshot Methods Comparison
Here's a quick comparison of the common methods:
| Method | What it Captures | Where it Goes | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
Windows key + PrntScrn |
Entire screen | Saves to Pictures\Screenshots | Saving multiple screenshots easily |
PrntScrn |
Entire screen | Copies to Clipboard | Quick paste into other applications |
Alt + PrntScrn |
Active window | Copies to Clipboard | Capturing specific application windows |
| Snipping Tool/Snip & Sketch | Custom area, window, or full screen | Copies to Clipboard or Saves as File | Flexible capture options, basic editing |
Understanding these options allows you to choose the best method for capturing exactly what you need on your Dell laptop screen.
