The fastest way to screenshot on Acer: use Print Screen or Windows key + Shift + S
On an Acer computer running Windows, you have three main ways to take a screenshot. The quickest is pressing Print Screen (often labeled PrtScn) to copy the entire screen to your clipboard, then pasting it into Paint, Word, or email. The second method is Windows key + Shift + S, which opens a snipping tool where you can draw a box around just the part you want to capture. The third is the Snipping Tool app built into Windows, which you can search for by name in your Start menu.
Which method you choose depends on what you're capturing and where you want to save it. Print Screen is fastest if you just need to paste the image somewhere. Windows key + Shift + S is best if you want to grab a specific area without capturing your whole screen. The Snipping Tool gives you the most control and lets you annotate the screenshot before saving.
Key Takeaways
- Press Print Screen to capture your entire screen, then paste it into any document or image editor.
- Use Windows key + Shift + S to select and capture only the part of your screen you need, with the option to save or copy when ready.
- The built-in Snipping Tool app lets you draw around a specific area, add notes or highlights, and save the file with a custom name.
- Screenshots taken with Print Screen go to your clipboard and must be pasted somewhere; other methods let you save directly to your computer.
Using Print Screen for a full-screen capture
The Print Screen key is the simplest method if you want to capture everything on your monitor. Locate the Print Screen key on your Acer keyboard—it is usually in the upper right area, sometimes labeled PrtScn or PrtSc. Press it once. Nothing visible happens, but the image is now copied to your clipboard.
Open the program where you want to paste the screenshot. This could be Paint (search "Paint" in your Start menu), Microsoft Word, an email, or even a messaging app. Right-click and select Paste, or press Ctrl + V. The full screenshot appears. If you want to save it as a file, use File > Save As and choose a location on your computer.
One limitation: Print Screen captures your entire screen, including taskbars, open windows, and anything else visible. If you only need part of the screen, the next method is faster.
Using Windows key + Shift + S to capture a specific area
This keyboard shortcut opens the Snip & Sketch tool, which lets you select just the part of your screen you want. Press Windows key + Shift + S together. Your screen will dim slightly and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a box around the area you want to capture.
When you release the mouse, a small toolbar appears at the bottom of your screen with options to copy, save, or share the screenshot. Click the save icon (looks like a floppy disk) to save the image as a PNG file to your Pictures folder. Click the copy icon to copy it to your clipboard so you can paste it elsewhere. You can also click the pen icon to draw or write on the screenshot before saving.
This method is faster than Print Screen if you only need a portion of your screen, because you do not have to open another program to crop it.
Finding and using the Snipping Tool app
Windows includes a dedicated Snipping Tool app that gives you more options than the keyboard shortcuts. Open your Start menu and type "Snipping Tool" in the search box, then click the app when it appears. The window that opens has a New button at the top.
Click New and your screen will dim with a crosshair cursor. Draw a box around the area you want to capture. The screenshot opens in the Snipping Tool window. From here you can use the pen, highlighter, or eraser tools to mark up the image, then save it by pressing Ctrl + S or clicking File > Save As. You can also copy it to your clipboard to paste elsewhere.
The Snipping Tool is useful if you take many screenshots and want them organized in one place, or if you frequently need to annotate them with notes or highlights before sharing.
Where screenshots are saved on your Acer
Screenshots taken with Print Screen do not automatically save to a folder—they only go to your clipboard. You must paste them into a program and then save manually. Screenshots taken with Windows key + Shift + S or the Snipping Tool save to your Pictures folder by default, usually in a subfolder called Screenshots.
To find your saved screenshots, open File Explorer and navigate to Pictures > Screenshots. You can also search for them by typing "screenshot" in the Windows search box. If you want to change where they save, open the Snipping Tool, go to Settings, and change the default save location.
Troubleshooting if Print Screen is not working
If pressing Print Screen does nothing, check whether your Acer keyboard has a function key (Fn) that needs to be held down. Some Acer laptops require you to press Fn + Print Screen instead of Print Screen alone. Look for a key labeled Fn, usually in the lower left corner of the keyboard.
If that does not work, your Print Screen key may be mapped to a different function. Try using Windows key + Shift + S instead, which works on all Windows computers. If neither works, restart your computer—sometimes a software glitch prevents the keyboard from responding correctly.
If you are using an older version of Windows (Windows 7 or earlier), Print Screen may behave differently. On those systems, press Print Screen, then open Paint and paste. The Snipping Tool is still available by searching for it in your Start menu.
Comparing the three screenshot methods
| Method | Keyboard Shortcut | Captures | Saves Automatically | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print Screen | Print Screen | Entire screen | No—goes to clipboard only | Quick captures to paste elsewhere |
| Snip & Sketch | Windows key + Shift + S | Selected area only | Yes—to Pictures folder | Capturing one specific part of your screen |
| Snipping Tool | Search and open the app | Selected area only | Yes—to Pictures folder | Annotating screenshots before saving |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a screenshot of just one window instead of the whole screen?
Yes. Use Windows key + Shift + S and draw a box around only the window you want. Alternatively, open the Snipping Tool, click New, and select Window Snip from the dropdown menu. Then click the window you want to capture.
Where do screenshots go when I press Print Screen?
They go to your clipboard, which is temporary storage in your computer's memory. You must paste the image into a program like Paint or Word and then save it as a file. If you restart your computer without pasting, the screenshot is lost.
Can I take a screenshot of my entire screen including multiple monitors?
Print Screen captures only the primary monitor. If you have multiple monitors and want to capture all of them, use Windows key + Shift + S and manually draw a box across both screens, or use the Snipping Tool and select Full Screen Snip.
How do I take a screenshot on an Acer touchscreen laptop?
The keyboard shortcuts work the same way. If your Acer has a touchscreen, you can also use the gesture: swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. This opens the action center; tap Screen Sketch to open the snipping tool.
What file format are screenshots saved in?
Windows key + Shift + S and the Snipping Tool save as PNG files by default, which preserves image quality and is widely supported. Print Screen copies the image in a format your clipboard can handle, so the file type depends on what program you paste it into.