The fastest way to screenshot on Acer

On most Acer laptops running Windows, press Print Screen (often labeled PrtScn) to capture your entire screen. The image goes to your clipboard — you won't see it saved anywhere yet. Open any program that accepts images: Notepad, Paint, Word, or an email. Paste it with Ctrl+V and then save the file.

If you want to capture only part of your screen instead of the whole thing, use the Snipping Tool. Press the Windows key, type "snipping tool", and open it. Click New, drag a rectangle around what you want to capture, and the tool will open the image so you can save it as a file right away.

For Acer laptops with a function key row, you may need to hold Fn + Print Screen instead of Print Screen alone. If Print Screen doesn't work on your first try, this is the most common reason why.

Key Takeaways

  • Print Screen copies your entire screen to the clipboard, and you paste it into any program before saving it as a file.
  • The Snipping Tool lets you select just the part of the screen you want and saves it directly as an image file.
  • On some Acer models, you need to hold Fn + Print Screen because the function key is required to set up Print Screen.
  • Windows 11 Acer laptops have a built-in screenshot shortcut: Windows key + Shift + S opens a menu to capture and save in one step.

Using the Snipping Tool for more control

The Snipping Tool is built into Windows and works on every Acer laptop. It lets you draw a box around exactly what you want to capture, which is useful when you only need part of the screen. Press the Windows key, type "snipping tool", and press Enter.

Click the New button. Your screen will dim and your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a rectangle around the area you want. When you release the mouse, the captured image opens in the Snipping Tool window. From there, click File and then Save As to save it as a PNG or JPG file to your Documents folder or wherever you choose.

You can also use the Snipping Tool to capture a window (just that one program window, not the whole screen) or a freehand shape if you need something other than a rectangle. The Mode menu at the top of the Snipping Tool window shows these options.

Recording your screen on Acer with built-in tools

Windows 10 and Windows 11 both include a screen recorder called Xbox Game Bar, even though it has nothing to do with gaming. On your Acer laptop, press Windows key + G to open it. A small menu will appear in the corner of your screen.

Click the red circle button (or press Windows key + Alt + R) to start recording. Your screen will record everything you do, including audio from your speakers and microphone if you have one plugged in. Press Windows key + Alt + R again to stop. The video saves automatically to your Videos folder as an MP4 file that you can play in any video player.

Xbox Game Bar works best for recording short clips — a few minutes to maybe 20 minutes. If you need to record something longer or want more control over video quality, third-party programs like OBS Studio (free) or Camtasia (paid) are better choices, but they require downloading and installing first.

Where your screenshots and recordings actually go

When you use Print Screen and paste into a program, the file only exists where you save it. If you save it in Notepad, it becomes a PNG image in whatever folder you choose. If you paste it into an email draft and never send it, it stays in your email as a draft.

Screenshots taken with the Snipping Tool save to your Documents folder by default, but the tool asks you where to save before it finishes, so you can choose a different location. Videos recorded with Xbox Game Bar go to your Videos folder automatically. You can find both by opening File Explorer, clicking on Videos or Documents in the left sidebar, and looking for the file by date.

Troubleshooting when Print Screen doesn't work

If you press Print Screen and nothing happens, the most common cause is that your Acer model requires the Fn key. Try holding Fn and pressing Print Screen at the same time. Some Acer laptops also have a dedicated screenshot button in the function key row — look for a camera icon or a rectangle icon on one of the F keys.

If Fn + Print Screen still doesn't work, your Print Screen key may be mapped to something else in your Acer's BIOS settings. The easiest workaround is to use the Snipping Tool instead, which works on every Acer laptop without any special key combinations. You can also try Windows key + Shift + S on Windows 11, which opens a screenshot menu that works independently of the Print Screen key.

If Xbox Game Bar won't open with Windows key + G, your graphics drivers may be outdated. Open the Acer Support website, search for your laptop model number (you can find it on a sticker under the laptop), and read the latest graphics driver. Restart your laptop after installing it and try again.

Choosing between screenshot and screen recording

Use a screenshot when you need a still image: showing an error message, saving a receipt, capturing a moment from a video, or documenting what's on your screen right now. Screenshots are fast, take up almost no storage space, and you can edit them in Paint or any image editor.

Use screen recording when you need to show movement or a sequence of steps: demonstrating how to use a program, recording a video call, capturing a tutorial, or showing a problem that happens over time. Recordings take up much more storage (a few minutes of video can be 50 MB or more), but they capture everything that happens, including audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I screenshot just one window instead of the whole screen?

Yes. Use the Snipping Tool and select Window mode from the Mode menu, then click the window you want to capture. Alternatively, press Alt + Print Screen to copy just the active window to your clipboard, then paste it into any program and save it.

Why is my screenshot blurry or low quality?

Screenshots capture at your screen's native resolution, so if your Acer's display is set to a low resolution, the screenshot will be too. Check your display settings by right-clicking the desktop, selecting Display Settings, and looking at the Scale and Layout section. If it's set below 100%, increase it. Screenshots will then be sharper.

Can I record my screen with sound?

Yes. Xbox Game Bar records both your microphone and your speakers by default. Before you start recording, check your volume is turned up and your microphone is plugged in or enabled. You can test it by opening the Sound settings and checking that your microphone shows activity when you speak.

Where do I find my screenshots after I take them?

Screenshots from the Snipping Tool go to your Documents folder by default, but you choose the location when you save. Videos from Xbox Game Bar go to your Videos folder. Open File Explorer, click Videos or Documents in the left sidebar, and sort by Date Modified to find your most recent files at the top.

Can I edit a screenshot after I take it?

Yes. Right-click the screenshot file in File Explorer and select Open With, then choose Paint or another image editor. You can crop, draw on it, add text, or change colors. When you're done, save the file with Ctrl + S.