The fastest way to capture your screen on Dell
Dell computers come with built-in tools that let you take screenshots and record video of what's on your screen without installing anything. The method you use depends on what you want to capture — a single window, part of the screen, or everything — and whether you need a still image or a video recording.
On most Dell computers running Windows, you have three main routes: the Print Screen key for quick captures, the Snipping Tool for selecting specific areas, and the Game Bar for recording video. Mac users on a Dell XPS have different keyboard shortcuts. All three methods save your capture where you can find it when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Press Print Screen to capture your entire screen, or Windows Key + Print Screen to save directly to your Pictures folder without opening another program.
- Use the Snipping Tool (search for it in the Windows search box) to select and capture just the part of the screen you need, then annotate or save it.
- The Game Bar, opened with Windows Key + G, records video of your screen and audio, and saves the file automatically to your Videos folder.
- On Dell XPS Mac models, use Command + Shift + 3 for a full screenshot or Command + Shift + 4 to select an area.
- All three methods are free and built into your Dell — you do not need to read or install software.
Using Print Screen for a quick full-screen capture
The Print Screen key is the fastest way to capture everything on your screen at once. On most Dell keyboards, it is labeled "PrtScn" or "Print Screen" and sits in the upper right area of the keyboard, usually near the Delete key. Press it once and your entire screen is copied to your clipboard — you will not see any visual confirmation that it worked.
After you press Print Screen, open any program where you can paste an image: Notepad, Word, Paint, or even an email. Right-click and select Paste, or press Ctrl + V. Your screenshot appears. From there you can save it, edit it, or send it.
If you want the screenshot to save directly to a file instead of your clipboard, press Windows Key + Print Screen at the same time. Windows saves the image automatically to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots. You can find it by opening File Explorer, clicking Pictures on the left, then double-clicking the Screenshots folder.
Selecting and annotating with the Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool lets you draw a box around just the part of the screen you want to capture, rather than taking the whole thing. This is useful when you want to focus on one window, one paragraph, or one error message without extra clutter around it.
Open the Snipping Tool by clicking the Windows Start button (the four squares in the lower left corner), typing "snipping tool" in the search box, and pressing Enter. A small window appears with a button that says "New." Click it, and your screen dims slightly. Now click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want to capture. When you release the mouse, that area appears in the Snipping Tool window.
From there you can draw on your screenshot with a pen or highlighter, erase parts of it, or crop it smaller. When you are done, click File, then Save As, choose where you want to save it, give it a name, and click Save. The file saves as a PNG image, which works in almost any program.
Recording video with the Game Bar
The Game Bar is built into Windows and records video of your screen along with audio from your microphone and speakers. It was originally designed for recording games, but it works for recording anything on your screen — a tutorial, a software demonstration, or a video call.
Open the Game Bar by pressing Windows Key + G. A small panel appears in the upper left corner of your screen with several buttons. Look for the circular record button (it looks like a filled circle) and click it. A timer appears showing that recording has started. Everything you do on your screen from that moment is being recorded.
To stop recording, click the record button again, or press Windows Key + Alt + R. Windows saves the video automatically to your Videos folder in a subfolder called Captures. The file is an MP4 video that you can play in any video player, edit in video software, or upload to the internet.
Before you record, check your microphone and speaker settings. Click the Settings button (the gear icon) in the Game Bar panel to turn audio recording on or off. If you do not want to record sound, turn it off before you start.
Finding and managing your screenshots and recordings
Screenshots and recordings save to specific folders on your Dell, and knowing where to find them saves time. Screenshots taken with Print Screen + Windows Key go to Pictures > Screenshots. Videos recorded with the Game Bar go to Videos > Captures. Screenshots taken with the Snipping Tool go wherever you chose to save them when you clicked Save As.
To find these folders quickly, click the File Explorer icon (the folder icon) on your taskbar at the bottom of the screen. On the left side, click Pictures or Videos depending on what you are looking for. Then double-click the Screenshots or Captures folder. Your files appear in date order, with the newest at the top.
You can rename, delete, move, or copy these files just like any other file on your computer. Right-click any file to see your options. If you want to email a screenshot, you can right-click it and select Send To > Mail Recipient. If you want to upload a video, you can drag it directly into a web browser or email.
Troubleshooting when screenshots do not appear
If you pressed Print Screen but nothing happened, the most common reason is that your clipboard is full or another program is blocking it. Try pressing Print Screen again, then when ready open Notepad and paste. If that does not work, restart your Dell and try again.
If the Game Bar does not open when you press Windows Key + G, your graphics drivers may be outdated. Click the Windows Start button, type "Device Manager," and press Enter. Find "Display adapters," click the arrow next to it, right-click your graphics card, and select "Update driver." Windows searches for and installs the latest version automatically.
If you cannot find your screenshots or videos after saving them, they may have gone to a different folder than you expected. Click the Windows Start button, type the filename (or part of it) in the search box, and press Enter. Windows searches your entire computer and shows you where the file is.
Comparing the three methods
| Method | What it captures | Saves to | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Print Screen | Entire screen | Clipboard (paste into another program) | Quick captures you will paste when ready |
| Windows Key + Print Screen | Entire screen | Pictures > Screenshots folder | Full-screen captures you want to save as a file |
| Snipping Tool | Selected area only | Wherever you choose (Save As) | Capturing one window or one part of the screen |
| Game Bar | Video of entire screen with audio | Videos > Captures folder | Recording a process or demonstration |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just one window instead of the whole screen?
Yes. Use the Snipping Tool and draw a box around just the window you want. Or press Alt + Print Screen to copy only the active window (the one you are currently using) to your clipboard, then paste it into another program. This is faster than the Snipping Tool if you just need the whole window.
Where do I find my screenshots if I do not remember saving them?
Open File Explorer, click Pictures on the left, then look for a folder called Screenshots. If you used the Game Bar to record video, go to Videos and look for a folder called Captures. If you used the Snipping Tool and chose Save As, search for the filename by clicking the Windows Start button and typing the name in the search box.
Can I record my screen with audio from my microphone only, not my speakers?
Yes. Open the Game Bar with Windows Key + G, click the Settings button (gear icon), and turn off "Record audio from speakers" while keeping "Record microphone audio" on. This records only what you say, not what is playing on your computer.
What format do screenshots and videos save in?
Screenshots save as PNG files, which work in any image viewer or editor. Videos from the Game Bar save as MP4 files, which play in any video player and can be uploaded to most websites. Both formats are standard and widely supported.
Do I need to install anything to use these tools?
No. The Snipping Tool and Game Bar are built into Windows on every Dell computer. Print Screen is a hardware key on your keyboard. All three are free and ready to use without downloading or installing software.