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How to take a screenshot on any Dell desktop computer or laptop

Dell XPS 15 2019
It's easy to take a screenshot on Dell computers. Crystal Cox/Business Insider
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Whether you have a Dell laptop or desktop computer, it's easy to take and save a screenshot. 

The process is the same no matter what kind of PC you own, so once you learn the process you can repeat it on any computer. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Dell XPS 17 Laptop (From $1,499.99 at Dell)

Dell 27-Inch LED FreeSync Monitor (From $289 at Walmart)

How to take a screenshot on an Dell desktop or laptop

There are several ways to take a screenshot on any Windows computer. But the quickest way is to use the Print Screen key.

Dell typically labels this key "PrtScn" or "prt sc" (though the exact label may vary from model to model) and is found along the top row of keys. On most Dell laptops, you'll find the Print Screen key beside the Delete key. 

How to take a screenshot on a Dell 1
The Print Screen key is found in the top row near the Delete key on this Dell Inspiron laptop.  Dell; skitching by William Antonelli/Business Insider

Once you press the Print Screen key, a picture of your entire screen will be copied to your computer's clipboard. Once it's there, you can paste it into another program (like Paint) to save it.

You have many options for how you use the Print Screen key – using keyboard combos, you can screenshot specific windows or just a portion of the screen. 

For details on getting the most out of it and how to save your screenshot once you use the key, see the article "How to take a screenshot on Windows 10 computers in several different ways."

 

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Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.