The fastest way: Windows key + Print Screen

On an Acer laptop running Windows, press Windows key + Print Screen together. Your screen will dim briefly, and the screenshot saves automatically to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots. This is the quickest method if you want a full-screen capture without opening any tools.

The file appears as a PNG image with a timestamp in the filename, like "Screenshot (1).png". You can open it immediately from your Pictures folder or find it later when you need it. This method works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows key + Print Screen captures your entire screen and saves it automatically to your Pictures folder.
  • The Snipping Tool lets you select just the part of the screen you want, and you can edit it before saving.
  • Print Screen alone copies to your clipboard, so you can paste it into an email, document, or image editor.
  • Windows 11 includes a new Screenshot tool you can open with Windows key + Shift + S for quick partial captures.

Selecting just part of your screen with Snipping Tool

If you need to capture only a portion of your screen, use the Snipping Tool. Press Windows key + Shift + S on Windows 11, or search for "Snipping Tool" in your Start menu on Windows 10. Your screen will dim and a toolbar appears at the top.

Click the rectangle icon to draw a box around the area you want. Release the mouse, and the snipped area opens in the Snipping Tool window. From there you can annotate it with a pen or highlighter, crop it further, or save it as a file. Click File > Save As to choose where it goes and what format you want (PNG, GIF, or JPEG).

Copying a screenshot to paste elsewhere

Press Print Screen alone (without the Windows key) to copy your entire screen to the clipboard. Nothing saves to a file — instead, the image sits in memory ready to paste. Open an email, document, or image editor and press Ctrl + V to paste it in.

This method is useful when you want to send a screenshot in an email or add it directly to a document without creating a separate file first. If you want to paste only part of your screen, use Snipping Tool instead, which copies the selected area to the clipboard when you finish.

Capturing a single window instead of the whole screen

To capture only the active window (not the desktop behind it), press Alt + Print Screen. This copies just the window you are currently using to the clipboard. Paste it with Ctrl + V into a document or email, or open Paint and paste it there to save as a file.

This is faster than using Snipping Tool if you know exactly which window you want and do not need to edit it. The window must be in focus (the title bar must be highlighted) for this to work.

Using the built-in Screenshot app on Windows 11

Windows 11 includes a dedicated Screenshot app separate from Snipping Tool. Open it by pressing Windows key + Shift + S, or search for "Screenshot" in your Start menu. A toolbar appears at the top with options to capture a rectangle, window, or full screen.

After you capture, the image opens in the Screenshot app where you can crop, draw on it, or erase parts before saving. Click the save icon (looks like a floppy disk) to choose your file location and format. This app is newer and simpler than Snipping Tool, though both work on Windows 11.

Saving screenshots in different formats and locations

By default, Windows key + Print Screen saves PNG files to your Pictures > Screenshots folder. If you want a different format (JPEG or GIF) or a different location, use Snipping Tool or the Screenshot app instead — both let you choose where to save and what format to use when you click Save As.

You can also change the default save location in Settings. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced Storage Options and look for the Screenshots setting, though this option is not available on all Acer models or Windows versions. For most users, the Pictures folder is the easiest place to find screenshots later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do my screenshots go when I press Windows key + Print Screen?

They save automatically to your Pictures folder in a subfolder called Screenshots. Open File Explorer, click Pictures on the left, then double-click the Screenshots folder to see them. Each file has a timestamp in the name so you can tell them apart.

Can I take a screenshot of just my second monitor?

Windows key + Print Screen captures all monitors at once. To capture only one monitor, use Snipping Tool or the Screenshot app and manually select the area. Alternatively, press Print Screen alone to copy to the clipboard, then paste into an image editor and crop to the monitor you want.

What if Print Screen is not working on my Acer laptop?

On some Acer models, the Print Screen key shares a function with another key (like volume or brightness). Look for a small icon on the Print Screen key. You may need to hold Fn + Print Screen, or check your Acer manual for the correct combination. Try Windows key + Shift + S as an alternative.

Can I record my screen instead of taking a static screenshot?

Yes. Windows 11 includes Xbox Game Bar, which you can open with Windows key + G. Click the Record button to start recording your screen, and click Stop when done. The video saves to your Videos folder. This captures motion and audio, unlike a screenshot.

How do I take a screenshot of a menu that disappears when I click?

Use Snipping Tool or Screenshot app and press Windows key + Shift + S. Before the screen dims, open the menu you want to capture. The screen stays frozen while you select the area, so the menu will not disappear. Release the mouse to complete the capture.