Capturing screenshots is an essential skill for any computer user, allowing you to preserve valuable information or share visual content. Acer desktops, renowned for their reliability and performance, offer a range of methods to take screenshots, catering to different needs and preferences.
One of the most straightforward ways to capture a screenshot on an Acer desktop is through the use of the dedicated Print Screen (PrtScn) key, typically located in the top row of the keyboard. Pressing this key will capture the entire screen and store it in the clipboard. After that, you can paste the screenshot into image editing software, a document, or an email for further use or sharing.
For more advanced screenshot options, Acer desktops come equipped with the Snipping Tool, a built-in utility that provides greater control over the capturing process. By default, the Snipping Tool can be accessed by pressing the Windows key (⊞) + S and typing “Snipping Tool.” This tool allows you to select a specific region of the screen to capture or even capture the entire screen, a window, or a freehand-drawn area. The resulting screenshot can then be saved as an image file or copied to the clipboard for easy sharing and editing.
Different Capture Methods
Print Screen
To capture the entire screen, press the “Print Screen” or “PrtSc” key on your Acer desktop keyboard. The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, but it won’t be visible unless you paste it into an image editing program or document.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the process:
Using the Print Screen Key
- Identify the “Print Screen” key on your Acer keyboard. It’s usually located in the top row of function keys, either labeled as “PrtSc,” “Print Scrn,” or “PrntScrn.”
- Press the “Print Screen” key. The entire screen will be captured, and the screenshot data will be stored in your computer’s clipboard.
- Open an image editing program or create a new document in a text editor or word processing application.
- Paste the screenshot into the program or document by pressing “Ctrl+V” (Windows) or “Command+V” (Mac).
- Save the screenshot as an image file or insert it into your document.
Note: If you’re capturing a long or multi-page document, it may be more efficient to use the “Snipping Tool” or “Snip & Sketch” method to select only the portion of the screen you want to capture.
Using the Print Screen Button
The Print Screen button is a dedicated key typically found in the upper-right corner of the keyboard. Pressing this button captures the entire screen and stores it in the Windows clipboard.
To screenshot using the Print Screen button:
- Locate the Print Screen button: It may be labeled as "PrtScn" or "PrtSc SysRq."
- Press the Print Screen button: This will capture the full screen and copy it to the clipboard.
- Paste the screenshot: Open an image editor or document and press "Ctrl + V" to paste the screenshot. You can then save or edit the image as needed.
Saving the Screenshot
After capturing the screenshot using the Print Screen button, you can save it to a file by following these steps:
| Option | Steps |
|---|---|
| Windows Paint |
Open Windows Paint (Win + R -> mspaint). Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot. Save the image (File -> Save As). |
| File Explorer |
Open File Explorer (Win + E). Navigate to the desired save location. Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot. The screenshot will be saved as a PNG file. |
| Microsoft Word |
Open Microsoft Word. Press Ctrl + V to paste the screenshot. Right-click on the screenshot and select “Save as Picture” to save it to a file. |
Note: You can also use third-party screen capture software to capture and save screenshots easily.
Snipping Tool
Step 1: Open the Snipping Tool
Click on the Start menu, search for “Snipping Tool”, and launch the application.
Step 2: Select the Snipping Mode
The Snipping Tool offers four different modes of capturing screenshots:
- Free-form Snip: Allows you to draw any shape on the screen to capture.
- Rectangular Snip: Creates a rectangular screenshot of a specific area.
- Window Snip: Captures a screenshot of an entire window.
- Full-screen Snip: Captures a screenshot of the complete desktop screen.
Step 3: Capture the Screenshot
After selecting the snipping mode, click and drag the mouse pointer over the area you want to capture. The screenshot will be automatically saved to your clipboard.
Step 4: Edit and Save the Screenshot (Optional)
After capturing the screenshot, you can edit it using the drawing tools available in the Snipping Tool, such as a pen, highlighter, and eraser. Once you’re satisfied with the result, you can save the screenshot as an image file (PNG, JPEG, GIF, or HTML) to your desired location.
| Snipping Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Free-form Snip | Capture screenshots in any irregular shape drawn by the user. |
| Rectangular Snip | Capture rectangular screenshots of specific areas of the screen. |
| Window Snip | Capture screenshots of entire windows, including the title bar and borders. |
| Full-screen Snip | Capture screenshots of the entire desktop screen, including all open windows and elements. |
Xbox Game Bar
The Xbox Game Bar is a convenient tool built into Windows 10 and Windows 11 that enables you to capture screenshots and record videos of your gameplay or desktop activity. Follow these steps to use the Xbox Game Bar to take a screenshot on your Acer desktop:
1. Enable Xbox Game Bar
Ensure that the Xbox Game Bar is enabled on your system. To do so, navigate to Windows Settings (press Windows key + I) and select “Gaming.” Under the “Xbox Game Bar” tab, toggle the switch to “On.”
2. Open Xbox Game Bar
Press the Windows key + G to open the Xbox Game Bar. Alternatively, you can also click the Xbox icon in the taskbar if visible.
3. Capture Screenshot
Once the Xbox Game Bar is open, locate the “Capture” icon (camera symbol) on the left-hand panel. Click on the icon or press the “PrtScn” key on your keyboard to capture a screenshot of the entire screen.
4. Advanced Screenshot Options
The Xbox Game Bar offers advanced screenshot options that provide greater control over the capture process. To access these options, click on the small arrow next to the “Capture” icon. Here’s a breakdown of the available options:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Screenshot Mode | Choose between “Single App” to capture only the active window or “Full Screen” to capture the entire display. |
| File Format | Select the file format for the screenshot. Available options are PNG and JPEG. |
| Auto Save Location | Specify the default save location for captured screenshots. |
Third-Party Screenshot Tools
Using Third-Party Applications
If you prefer a more specialized approach, several third-party applications offer comprehensive screenshot capabilities. Snagit, Greenshot, and ShareX are popular options that provide an array of features beyond the basic screenshot functions.
Features of Third-Party Tools
These applications typically offer:
* Advanced editing and annotation tools
* Customizable hotkeys for quick screenshots
* Automation and scheduling options
* Cloud storage and sharing capabilities
Snagit
Snagit is a renowned screenshot tool known for its multifaceted features. It allows for customizable screenshots, editing, and image sharing. Additionally, Snagit integrates with other applications and offers OCR (Optical Character Recognition) functionality.
Greenshot
Greenshot is a lightweight and open-source screenshot tool that is popular among tech enthusiasts. It features customizable shortcuts, annotation tools, and basic editing options. Greenshot is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS.
ShareX
ShareX is a versatile tool that combines screenshot capture with image hosting and sharing capabilities. It offers screen recording, OCR, and a range of customizable features. ShareX is free and open-source, making it a popular choice for users seeking comprehensive screenshot functionality.
| Tool | Features |
|—|—|
| Snagit | Customizable screenshots, editing, image sharing, OCR |
| Greenshot | Lightweight, customizable shortcuts, annotation tools |
| ShareX | Screen recording, OCR, customizable features, free and open-source |
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts
You can create custom keyboard shortcuts to take screenshots more efficiently. To do this:
- Go to the “Settings” menu.
- Select “Ease of Access.”
- Under “Keyboard,” click on “Custom Shortcuts.”
- Click on the “Assign a Shortcut” button.
- Navigate to the “Screenshot” section and click on the “Take Screenshot” option.
- Press the keyboard shortcut you want to use to take screenshots. For example, you could press “Ctrl + Shift + S.”
You can also adjust the default screenshot location and format in the “Screenshot” section.
Once you have created a custom keyboard shortcut, you can press the shortcut anytime to take a screenshot. The screenshot will be saved to the location you specified in the “Screenshot” section.
Advanced Options
In the “Advanced Options” tab of the “Custom Shortcuts” window, you can customize the following settings:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Delay before taking screenshot | Specifies the amount of time (in milliseconds) to wait before taking the screenshot. |
| Include pointer in screenshot | Determines whether the mouse pointer is included in the screenshot. |
| Play sound when screenshot is taken | Specifies whether a sound is played when a screenshot is taken. |
Taking a Partial Screenshot
To capture a specific area of your screen on an Acer desktop, use the following steps:
1. Enable the Snipping Tool
In the Windows search bar, type “Snipping Tool” and select the app from the results.
2. Select the Snipping Mode
Click the “Mode” dropdown menu and choose “Rectangular Snip” or “Freeform Snip” for a custom shape.
3. Position the Cursor
Hover your mouse cursor over the area you want to capture. Left-click and hold down the mouse button to start drawing the selection.
4. Adjust the Selection
Drag the mouse cursor to expand the selection area to the desired size and shape.
5. Capture the Screenshot
Release the mouse button to capture the screenshot of the selected area.
6. Save or Copy the Screenshot
Click the “Save As” button to save the screenshot as an image file. Alternatively, click the “Copy” button to copy the screenshot to the clipboard for pasting.
7. Advanced Options (Optional)
The Snipping Tool offers additional options for customization and enhanced functionality:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Delay | Sets a timer before the screenshot is taken, allowing you to prepare the screen (5 or 10 seconds). |
| Include Pointer | Captures the mouse cursor in the screenshot. |
| Ink Mode | Converts the screenshot into an editable image for drawing or annotations. |
Saving and Sharing Screenshots
Once you’ve taken a screenshot, you can save and share it in various ways.
Saving Screenshots
1. Save Quickly: To save the screenshot directly to your desktop without any additional steps, press Windows Key + PrtScn.
2. Save Using Paint: Press Windows Key + PrtScn to capture the screenshot, then open Microsoft Paint (search for “Paint” in the search bar). Paste the screenshot into Paint (Ctrl + V) and save it as a file.
3. Save Using Snip & Sketch: Press Windows Key + Shift + S to open the Snip & Sketch tool. Select the area you want to capture and click on the “Save As” icon.
Sharing Screenshots
4. Share Using Email: Open your email client and attach the screenshot file as an attachment.
5. Share Using Social Media: Open the social media platform and upload the screenshot as a post or message.
6. Share Using Cloud Services: Save the screenshot to a cloud storage service like Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive. Then, share the link to the screenshot with others.
7. Share Using File Sharing Software: Use file sharing software like WeTransfer to upload and share the screenshot with others.
8. Share Using the Clipboard: Press Windows Key + PrtScn to capture the screenshot and then press Windows Key + V to paste it directly into an application or website.
| Windows Key + PrtScn | Saves the screenshot to your desktop |
| Windows Key + Shift + S | Opens the Snip & Sketch tool for selecting and saving screenshots |
| Windows Key + V | Pastes the screenshot into an application or website |
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Acer desktops typically allow you to take screenshots using keyboard shortcuts. The most common method involves pressing the “Print Screen” (PrtScn) key. This captures the entire screen and copies it to your clipboard. Alternatively, to capture only the active window, you can press “Alt” + “PrtScn.”
Using the Snipping Tool
Acer desktops come preinstalled with the Snipping Tool, a versatile tool for capturing and annotating screenshots. To launch the tool, type “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar. Once open, you can select the type of screenshot you want to take (rectangular, freeform, window, or full screen) and capture the desired area.
Using the Xbox Game Bar
Windows 10 and later include the Xbox Game Bar, which allows you to record gameplay, take screenshots, and control audio. To take a screenshot, press “Windows Key” + “G” to open the Game Bar, then click the camera icon to capture the screen.
Editing and Annotating Screenshots
Editing and Annotating Screenshots
After capturing a screenshot, you may want to edit or annotate it before sharing or saving. Here are some methods:
Using Paint: Open Paint (type “Paint” in the Windows search bar) and paste the screenshot (Ctrl + V). You can use the tools in Paint to crop, resize, draw, and annotate the screenshot.
Using the Snipping Tool: If you used the Snipping Tool to capture the screenshot, you can open it again and use the built-in editing features. These include cropping, highlighting, drawing, and adding text.
Using a Third-Party App: There are many third-party screenshot editing apps available, such as ShareX, Lightshot, and Skitch. These apps offer advanced editing and annotation features, including image effects, watermarks, and annotation tools.
| Method | Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyboard Shortcut (PrtScn) | Quick and convenient | Entire screen captured | No editing or annotation options |
| Snipping Tool | Versatile, editing and annotation features | Limited screenshot options | Requires additional editing for advanced features |
| Xbox Game Bar | Convenient for gaming, screenshots only | Fewer customization options | Requires opening the Game Bar |
| Microsoft Paint | Basic editing options, free | Limited features | Not as user-friendly as dedicated apps |
| Third-Party Apps | Advanced editing and annotation | May require installation | Can be more complex to use |
Using the Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows application that allows you to take screenshots. To use the Snipping Tool:
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type "snippingtool" into the Run dialog box and press Enter.
- Select the type of screenshot you want to take (e.g., rectangular, free-form, window, or full screen).
- Click on the area of the screen you want to capture.
- The screenshot will be saved to your clipboard. You can then paste the screenshot into a document or image editor.
Using the Print Screen Key
The Print Screen key is located on the top row of your keyboard. Pressing the Print Screen key will capture a screenshot of the entire screen and save it to your clipboard. You can then paste the screenshot into a document or image editor.
Using the Windows Snip & Sketch Tool
The Windows Snip & Sketch Tool is a newer version of the Snipping Tool that is available in Windows 10 and later. The Snip & Sketch Tool offers more features than the Snipping Tool, including the ability to annotate screenshots.
Troubleshooting Screenshot Issues
Checking Windows Key Functions
If the Windows key is not working, you may need to enable it in your BIOS settings. To do this:
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings. The key you need to press to enter the BIOS settings varies depending on your computer manufacturer. Consult your computer’s documentation for more information.
- Once you are in the BIOS settings, navigate to the "Advanced" or "System Configuration" menu.
- Find the setting for "Windows Key Function" or "Function Key Behavior" and set it to "Enabled".
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS settings.
Updating Keyboard Drivers
If your keyboard is not working properly, you may need to update the drivers. To do this:
- Open the Device Manager. To do this, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type "devmgmt.msc" into the Run dialog box, and press Enter.
- Expand the "Keyboards" category.
- Right-click on your keyboard and select "Update driver".
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
Checking Third-Party Software
If you are having trouble taking screenshots, you may have third-party software installed that is interfering with the screenshot process. Try disabling any third-party software that you do not need and see if that resolves the issue.
How to Screenshot on Acer Desktop
Taking a screenshot on an Acer desktop is a simple process that can be done using either the built-in Windows functionality or through the Acer Quick Access software. Here are the steps on how to do it:
**Using the built-in Windows functionality:**
- Press the "PrtScn" key on your keyboard. This will capture a screenshot of the entire screen.
- Open an image editing program, such as Paint or Photoshop.
- Paste the screenshot into the image editing program.
- Save the screenshot as a file.
**Using the Acer Quick Access software:**
- Open the Acer Quick Access software.
- Click on the "Screenshot" icon.
- Select the area of the screen you want to capture.
- Click on the "Capture" button.
- The screenshot will be saved to your desktop.
People Also Ask
How do I take a screenshot of a specific window?
To take a screenshot of a specific window, press the “Alt + PrtScn” keys on your keyboard. This will capture a screenshot of the active window.
How do I save a screenshot as a PDF file?
To save a screenshot as a PDF file, open the screenshot in an image editing program. Then, go to “File > Save As” and select “PDF” as the file type.
How do I take a scrolling screenshot?
To take a scrolling screenshot, use the Snip & Sketch tool in Windows 10. Open the Snip & Sketch tool and click on the “New” button. Then, click on the “Scroll capture” button. The Snip & Sketch tool will capture a screenshot of the entire page, even if it is longer than your screen.
