How to Screenshot on Acer Laptop: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’ve ever needed to capture something on your Acer laptop screen—maybe a funny chat, an error message, or that perfect image—you’re not alone. Taking screenshots sounds simple but can get confusing with so many keyboard shortcuts and different Windows versions floating around. Don’t worry; I’ve got your back. By the end of this guide, you’ll know all the easy ways to screenshot on your Acer laptop, including how to grab just part of the screen, save it exactly where you want, and avoid the usual frustration of hunting down those images.

Let’s jump right in.

What Are the Different Methods to Take a Screenshot on an Acer Laptop?

Before diving into keyboard shortcuts, it’s good to know your options. Acer laptops mostly run Windows, so most Windows screenshot features apply. However, Acer keyboards can vary slightly across models, which is why some shortcuts work on some but not others. Here are the main methods:

1. Using Keyboard Shortcuts (PrtScn, Windows+PrtScn, Alt+PrtScn)
2. Using Windows Snip & Sketch or Snipping Tool
3. Using Third-Party Apps
4. Using Acer-Specific Tools (less common)

Each method works for different needs. For example, if you want a quick full-screen grab, keyboard shortcuts are your best bet. But if you want to capture a specific window or draw around an area, Snip & Sketch is way better.

Which Keyboard Shortcuts Work for Screenshots on Acer Laptops?

You might wonder, “Wait, which keys exactly?” The good news is there are several shortcuts you can try. Here’s a breakdown:

How to Use These Shortcuts

• Print Screen (PrtScn): Just hit the PrtScn key. Nothing will visually happen, but the screen image is copied to your clipboard. Then, open Paint, Word, or even an email, and press Ctrl + V to paste.

• Windows + PrtScn: Press these keys simultaneously. Your screen will dim for a second — that’s the screenshot being saved automatically. You don’t have to paste anywhere; just go to your Pictures folder.

• Alt + PrtScn: Hit this combo to capture only the active window. For instance, if you have your browser open and want to screenshot just that without the taskbar or other apps, this works great. Remember to paste it somewhere after.

• Windows + Shift + S: This launches a snipping toolbar where you can drag to select a part of your screen. The image is copied to your clipboard and also shows a notification you can click to edit or save.

How Can I Capture a Specific Window or a Portion of the Screen?

Taking a full-screen screenshot is fine, but sometimes you only want a bit of the screen. Maybe you’re sending a bug report and you don’t want your whole desktop in the shot.

Capturing a Specific Window

Use Alt + PrtScn:

1. Click on the window you want to screenshot.
2. Press Alt + PrtScn.
3. Open Paint, Word, or any app where you can paste images.
4. Press Ctrl + V to paste.
5. Save the file.

Capturing a Portion of the Screen

This uses the Windows Snip & Sketch tool, which is built into Windows 10 and 11:

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. The screen will dim, and a small toolbar appears at the top.
3. Select one of the snip options: rectangular, freeform, window, or full screen.
4. Drag your mouse to capture exactly what you want.
5. The snip is copied to your clipboard. Click the popup notification to open Snip & Sketch editor and save or annotate your screenshot.

Pro tip: If you miss the notification, just open Snip & Sketch from the Start menu. All recent snips are stored there for easy access.

Where Are Screenshots Saved by Default on an Acer Laptop?

This question trips up so many. You take the screenshot but then… where did it go?

Full-Screen Screenshots (Windows + PrtScn)

Screenshots taken using Windows + PrtScn are automatically saved in the Screenshots folder inside your Pictures library:

C:Users[YourUsername]PicturesScreenshots

Just open File Explorer, click Pictures on the left pane, then the Screenshots folder. Voilà!

Clipboard Screenshots (PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn)

When you press PrtScn or Alt + PrtScn, the image is copied to your clipboard. It’s not saved anywhere yet. You have to paste it into another app (Paint, Word, email, etc.) and then save it yourself.

Snip & Sketch Captures

Snips taken with Windows + Shift + S are temporarily stored in your clipboard. If you click on the pop-up notification, you can save them anywhere you want. If you ignore the notification, the screenshot isn’t auto-saved anywhere.

Clearing Up Common Pain Points

“Some shortcuts don’t seem to work on my Acer laptop!”

Not all Acer laptops have a dedicated PrtScn key in the same spot. On some models, you might need to press Fn + PrtScn instead of just PrtScn. This happens if your function keys default to special functions like volume or brightness controls.

Try these combos:

• Fn + PrtScn
• Fn + Windows + PrtScn
• Fn + Alt + PrtScn

If you’re unsure, just try the Fn key with the shortcuts listed above. The Fn key acts as a “function modifier” and is common on compact Acer keyboards.

“I took a screenshot but can’t find it anywhere!”

Remember, only Windows + PrtScn saves screenshots automatically. Others copy to your clipboard and need manual saving. Check your Pictures > Screenshots folder for auto-saved images. For clipboard captures, paste (Ctrl + V) into Paint or Word, then save.

“Can I take timed screenshots or capture menus that disappear when I click?”

Unfortunately, Windows Snip & Sketch doesn’t support timed screenshots. But the older Snipping Tool (still available on Windows 10) lets you delay screenshots by a few seconds. Here’s how:

1. Open Snipping Tool (search for it in Start).
2. Click Delay and set 3-5 seconds.
3. Click New.
4. Quickly navigate to the menu or window you want to capture.
5. The tool will capture after the delay, letting you grab pop-up menus.

Step-by-Step Summary: How to Screenshot on Acer Laptop

Full Screen and Auto-Save

1. Press Windows + PrtScn (or Fn + Windows + PrtScn if needed).
2. Look for a quick dimming effect — screenshot saved.
3. Find images in Pictures > Screenshots.

Full Screen to Clipboard

1. Press PrtScn (or Fn + PrtScn).
2. Open Paint or Word.
3. Press Ctrl + V to paste.
4. Save manually.

Active Window Only

1. Click the window you want.
2. Press Alt + PrtScn (or Fn + Alt + PrtScn).
3. Paste as above.

Partial Screen Capture

1. Press Windows + Shift + S.
2. Select capture type.
3. Screenshot copied to clipboard.
4. Click notification to save or paste manually.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Thoughts

Taking screenshots on your Acer laptop doesn’t have to be a headache. Once you know the right shortcuts and where your images get saved, it’s as easy as snapping a photo on your phone. Just remember the little quirks—like needing the Fn key on some models or knowing when the screenshot is just copied versus saved.

Try practicing a few times: take a full-screen capture, then a partial one. See where your laptop saves them. Soon enough, you’ll be able to capture anything on your screen without breaking a sweat.

If you want to dive deeper, Windows regularly updates its screenshot tools, so keep an eye on future features.

Happy screenshotting!

References

[1] According to Microsoft Support, the PrtScn key copies the entire screen to the clipboard, and Windows + PrtScn automatically saves the screenshot to the Pictures folder. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/use-snipping-tool-capture-screenshots-8a235f3a-66a3-4842-8d68-97a4af277d2c

[2] As explained by Acer’s official support, some models require pressing the Fn key alongside PrtScn for screenshot functionality depending on keyboard layout. https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support

[3] TechRadar details how to use Windows Snip & Sketch for partial screen capture and advanced editing. https://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-take-a-screenshot-on-windows-10

If you want, I can also help you with tips on organizing your screenshots or recommend apps that make capturing and sharing easier! Just say the word.