The Print Screen key, typically located in the upper right corner of the keyboard, is standard on Dell computers and allows you to copy the contents of a screen. Taking a screenshot, however, varies significantly between different Dell models. A screen capture can be accomplished in a few different ways, depending on the version of Windows you’re using. Now the question is, How do you go about this? Don’t worry; in the course of this article, you’ll learn the keyboard shortcuts for taking screenshots in Windows with the Snipping Tool that are applicable on any Dell desktop and laptop computer.
How To Take a Screenshot on a Dell Computer: Overview
- The Print Screen key is usually found at the top of the keyboard, on the right side. It’s sometimes one of the Function keys.
- The keyboard shortcut for taking a screenshot varies according to your model, Windows version, and screenshot type.
- On any Dell, you can also take screen captures with the built-in Windows Snipping Tool.
How To Take a Screenshot on a Dell Computer
To get started with taking a screenshot on a Dell computer, there are a couple of requirements that should be in place. They include the following:
- Your laptop and, in some cases, basic image editing software are required. Depending on the method and operating system, the entire process should take no more than two minutes.
- The process for taking a screenshot differs slightly between laptops that run Windows, such as those made by Dell, Lenovo, and others, and those that run MacOS, such as those made by Apple.
Method 1: Use the Print Screen Key
Step 1: Locate the PrtScr key on your keyboard
On a Dell, the Print Screen key allows you to quickly and easily take a screenshot. This key is usually found in the top row of keys on the right, close to the Del key on most Dell keyboards.
The Print Screen key on some Dell keyboards may also be one of the Function keys (e.g., F10).
The Print Screen key can be labeled with various abbreviations, including PrtScn, PrntScrn, and PrtSc.
If Print Screen and F10 share the same key, you’ll usually have to hold down the Fn key whenever you use Print Screen.
Step 2: Using Win+PrtScr, capture your entire screen
On a Dell, different keyboard shortcuts take different types of screenshots, and the combination you need to use may differ from one model to the next. Use the Win+PrtScr combination to capture everything on your screen in a single shot.
To capture your entire screen on a Dell tablet, simultaneously press the Windows logo and volume down buttons.
On some Dells, the shortcut Win+PrtScr may capture only a single window rather than the entire screen.
If Print Screen and F10 share the same key, the keyboard shortcut will be Fn+Win+PrtScr.
Step 3: To capture your active windows, use PrtScr alone.
On some Dells, you can use the PrtScr button by itself to capture only the currently open windows without capturing the background, taskbar, or other extraneous elements.
On other models, doing so may result in a shot of the entire screen.
If Print Screen and F10 share the same key, the keyboard shortcut will be Fn+PrtScr.
Step 4: With Alt+PrtScr, take a screenshot of a single window.
If you only want to capture one window, click or tap on it and then press Alt+ PrtScr. This will only capture the active window and ignore anything else on the screen.
Some Dells use the combination Win+PrtScr or Fn+Win+PrtScr to capture a single window.
If Print Screen and F10 share the same key, the keyboard shortcut will be Fn+Alt+PrtScr.
Step 5: Paste your screenshots from the clipboard using Ctrl+V.
When you take a screenshot on a Dell, the image is typically saved in your clipboard rather than directly saved as an image file. Open an image editing app like Microsoft Paint and use Ctrl+V to paste the screenshot into a new image window.
When you take a screenshot on a Dell tablet, it is automatically saved to your Pictures folder.
In some versions of Windows, the Win+PrtScr combination saves screenshots as image files rather than clipboard entries. To find them, launch File Explorer, go to Pictures, and then to Screenshots.
Method 2: Use Snipping Tool
You can use the Snipping Tool to capture only a portion of your screen. To access it, go to Windows Start, type Snipping Tool into the search box, and then select Snipping Tool from the search results.
- Holding down Win+Shift+s will launch the snipping tool in Windows 10 and 11.
- To find the tool in Windows 8, swipe in from the right side of the screen and select Search from the menu, then type Snipping Tool into the search box.
The Snipping Tool lets you take a variety of screenshots. To select the type, click the Mode menu on the Snipping Tool toolbar. By pressing Alt+m, you can also select a mode. Choose one of the modes listed below:
- Free-form Snip allows you to select any shape with a drawing tool and create a screenshot from it.
- Rectangular Snip captures a screenshot of a rectangular selection.
- Window Snip takes a screenshot of a specific window.
Step 3: To save your screen capture, click Save Snip.
After taking your screenshot, press the Save Snip button. Use the Save As box to give your snip a name, select a file type, and specify a location for the saved screenshot.
You can also share a snip by selecting a sharing option by clicking the arrow next to the Send Snip button.
When you save a screenshot of a browser window as an HTML file, the URL appears at the bottom of the screenshot. To avoid this, click the Options button, uncheck the Include URL below snips (HTML only), and then click OK.
Step 4: Annotate or edit your snip as desired.
You can use the Pen and Highlighter buttons to draw on your snip or highlight parts of it, in addition to taking basic screenshots. To make other changes to your screenshot (such as cropping, rotating, or resizing it), click Edit with your screenshot open and then select Edit with Paint 3D.
Method 3: Use a Gamebar
You can take screenshots on your Dell laptop even when you are not playing a game, using Game Bar’s features. Microsoft has integrated the Xbox Game Bar into Windows, allowing for screenshots and video recording.
The following are the steps to using it:
- To access the Game Bar, press Windows + G.
- Locate and click the Capture icon in the menu to bring up the Capture widget.
- To take a screenshot, press the Camera button. By pressing the record button, you can also record the video clip.
- PNG and MP4 formats are used to save screenshots and video clips. Open File Explorer and navigate to the Videos>Captures folder or the Game Bar’s Gallery.
Method 4: Use of a Third-Party App
Another option for capturing the screen on your Dell laptop is to use a trustworthy third-party tool. Third-party apps include many extra features, such as the ability to add annotations, type text, crop, record videos, share photos, and more.
If you’ve looked through your keyboard and can’t find the print screen key, your Dell laptop may be missing one. But don’t worry; you can still take a screenshot even if you don’t have that key.
Here are the steps for taking a screenshot on a Dell laptop that does not have a Print Screen button:
- Find the Function, or Fn, and Insert keys first.
- To take a screenshot, hold down the Fn+Insert keys simultaneously.
- Alternatively, press the Fn key+Windows key+Space bar simultaneously. Like pressing the Print Screen key, this key combination will capture your window’s screen.
Can I also record a video of my laptop’s screen?
There most certainly is. We’ve already covered how to record your system using MacOS’ built-in QuickTime player for Mac users. While Windows will soon have a similar built-in function, identical to the Snipping Tool mentioned above, you can use the Xbox Game Bar included in Windows 10 and 11 to record your gaming and any on-screen activity.
What free image editing software should I use for my screenshots?
Pixlr is a free web app that handles the most basic tasks associated with screenshots, such as cropping, resizing, and adding text. It even has some more advanced effects, such as a liquify tool.
Why does [insert on-screen item] appear strange in my screenshot?
There are several reasons why your screenshots may appear strange. Because the single moment you captured was in fast motion or shifting between frames, animated items such as actively playing videos can often appear distorted or blurry. Similarly, some operating system assets and app portions contain transparencies or overlays incompatible with screen capture tools. To get the best results, ensure everything on the screen is as still as possible when taking a screenshot.
What exactly is a screenshot?
A screen capture is capturing a still image of your computer screen. It is also known as a screenshot, screencap, or snapshot. It is a valuable tool for increasing workplace efficiency and communication. The screenshots are automatically saved in the clipboard memory of your computer, ready for further processing or sharing.
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How To Take a Screenshot on a Dell Computer: References
