How to Print Screen in Windows Using the Print Screen Key

Summary: How to use the Print Screen (PrtScr) key in Windows to take screenshots of the whole screen or only the active window. It explains shortcuts like Windows + PrtScr, Alt + PrtScr, Fn key combinations, where your screenshots are saved, and how the keys may look different on Dell keyboards. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Overview What the Print Screen Key Does:

  • Captures a snapshot of your display (full screen, all active windows, or the active window).
  • Automatically copies the screenshot to the Windows clipboard.
  • You can paste the screenshot into apps such as Paint, Photoshop, Word, or email clients.
  • Some key combinations save screenshots directly to the Pictures > Screenshots folder.

Print Screen Key Locations:

Desktop Keyboards

  • This key is commonly located in the upper right corner.
  • May appear as: PrintScreen, PrntScrn, PrntScr, PrtScn, PrtScr, PrtSc, or similar (Figure 1).
    NOTE: For some desktop keyboards, such as the KM3322W keyboard use Fn + Insert when no dedicated PrtScr key exists.
    Example of print screen key on desktop keyboard
    Figure 1: Example of a print screen key on a desktop keyboard

Laptop Keyboards

  • This key is commonly located on the Function (F key) row.
  • Often requires Fn + F10 or another function key (Figure 2).
  • Laptops with capacitive/illuminated function rows may require enabling the function layer first.
  • Some laptops use Fn + Insert when no dedicated PrtScr key exists.
    Example of print screen key on laptop keyboard
    Figure 2: Example of a print screen key on a laptop keyboard

Screenshot Methods in Windows 11 & Windows 10:

Capture the Entire Screen:

Windows key + PrtScr

  • Saves automatically to: Pictures > Screenshots folder.
  • On Windows based tablets: Windows button + Volume Down.

Capture All Active Windows:

PrtScr

  • Copies the entire desktop to the clipboard.

Capture the Active Window Only:

Alt + PrtScr

  • Copies only the current window to the clipboard.

Using and Editing the Screenshot:

After capturing:

  1. Open an image editor (for example, Paint, Photoshop, or any app that accepts pasted or saved images).
  2. When using Alt + PrtScr, press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot into the image editor such as Paint.
  3. Edit or save as needed. For advanced captures (rectangular, freeform, timed), use the Windows Snipping Tool.

Additional Resources:

  • If these instructions do not seem to apply to your laptop or desktop keyboard, refer to your device’s user guide for model specific key layouts. For more information, see Dell Knowledge Base article Manuals and Documentation for your Dell Product

Affected Products

Alienware, Dell All-in-One, Dell Pro All-in-One, Dell Pro Max Micro, Dell Pro Max Slim, Dell Pro Max Tower, Dell Pro Micro, Dell Pro Slim, Dell Pro Tower, Dell Slim, Dell Tower, Inspiron, Legacy Desktop Models, OptiPlex, Vostro, XPS, G Series , G Series, Alienware, Dell Plus, Dell Pro, Dell Pro Max, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium, Inspiron, Latitude, Dell Pro Rugged, Vostro, XPS, Legacy Laptop Models, Fixed Workstations, Mobile Workstations, Dell Pro Max Micro XE FCM2250, Dell Pro Max Slim XE FCS1250, Dell Pro Max Tower T2 XE FCT2250, Dell Pro Max 16 XE MC16250, Dell Pro Micro Plus XE QBM1250, Dell Pro Slim Plus XE5 QBS1250, Dell Pro Tower Plus XE5 QBT1250 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000147539
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 16 Feb 2026
Version:  18
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