Updated November 2026
Quick answer: On an Acer laptop with Windows 11, press Windows + PrtSc to save a full-screen screenshot to Pictures > Screenshots, or Windows + Shift + S to capture part of the screen. If PrtSc doesn’t respond, hold Fn as well. On an Acer Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show windows (the key with rectangles, above 6).
Also read: How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 11 (Every Method)
First, check which kind of Acer you have. Aspire, Swift, Nitro, Predator, and Spin laptops run Windows 11. Acer Chromebooks run ChromeOS and use different shortcuts. Both are covered below.
Where Is the Print Screen Key on Acer Laptops?
On most Acer laptops, PrtSc is in the top row, toward the right, near Delete or Insert. On some models, it shares a key with another function, so you’ll need Fn + PrtSc.
Simple rule: try PrtSc on its own first. If nothing happens, hold Fn and press it again.
Method 1: Windows + PrtSc (Full Screen, Saves Automatically)
- Press Windows + PrtSc (or Windows + Fn + PrtSc).
- The screen dims briefly.
- The screenshot is saved to Pictures > Screenshots.
Method 2: PrtSc Key (Opens Snipping Tool on Windows 11)
On Windows 11, PrtSc opens the Snipping Tool bar instead of quietly copying the screen.
- Press PrtSc.
- Choose Rectangle, Window, Full screen, or Freeform.
- Select the area. It’s copied and saved automatically.
Prefer the old behavior? Go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and turn off Use the Print screen key to open screen capture. PrtSc will then copy the full screen, ready to paste with Ctrl + V.
Method 3: Windows + Shift + S (Select Any Part)
- Press Windows + Shift + S.
- Drag over the area you want.
- Paste it anywhere with Ctrl + V, or click the notification to edit and save.
This shortcut doesn’t use the PrtSc key, so it works even if that key is broken.
Method 4: Alt + PrtSc (Active Window Only)
- Click the window you want.
- Press Alt + PrtSc (or Alt + Fn + PrtSc).
- Paste it with Ctrl + V.
Method 5: Snipping Tool
- Open Start and type Snipping Tool.
- Click New (or press Ctrl + N).
- Pick a mode and select the area.
Tip: Use the delay timer to capture menus that close when you click.
Method 6: Xbox Game Bar (Acer Nitro and Predator)
Gaming on an Acer Nitro or Predator? Use Game Bar so you don’t leave the game:
- Press Windows + G and click the camera icon.
- Or press Windows + Alt + PrtSc to capture instantly.
Game Bar screenshots are saved to Videos > Captures.
How to Screenshot on an Acer Chromebook
Acer Chromebooks don’t have a PrtSc key. Use these shortcuts instead:
| Shortcut | What it does |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Show windows | Full-screen screenshot |
| Ctrl + Shift + Show windows | Opens the Screen capture menu (partial, window, or full screen) |
| Screen capture key | On newer Chromebooks with a dedicated key, captures straight away |
The Show windows key looks like a rectangle with two lines, usually above the 6 key.
Screenshots are saved to the Downloads folder in the Files app. For tablet mode and school-managed Chromebooks, see our full How to Screenshot on a Chromebook guide.
How to Screenshot on Acer Spin (Tablet Mode)
When your Acer Spin is folded into tablet mode, the keyboard switches off. Use one of these instead:
- With a pen: tap the pen icon on the taskbar, then choose Snipping Tool.
- With touch: pin Snipping Tool to the taskbar, then tap it and choose New.
How to Screenshot on an Acer Desktop
Acer Aspire desktops and all-in-ones use a full-size keyboard, where Print Screen sits to the right of F12. All the shortcuts above work the same way, usually without needing Fn.
Acer Screenshot Shortcuts: Quick Reference
| Shortcut | What it captures | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows + PrtSc | Full screen | Pictures > Screenshots |
| PrtSc | Snipping Tool bar (Windows 11) | Copied and saved |
| Windows + Shift + S | Any area | Clipboard (with option to save) |
| Alt + PrtSc | Active window | Clipboard |
| Windows + Alt + PrtSc | Active window (Game Bar) | Videos > Captures |
| Ctrl + Show windows | Full screen (Chromebook) | Downloads |
Where Are Screenshots Saved on Acer Laptops?
- Windows + PrtSc and Snipping Tool: Pictures > Screenshots (or OneDrive > Pictures > Screenshots if OneDrive backup is on)
- Game Bar: Videos > Captures
- Windows + Shift + S and Alt + PrtSc: clipboard, until you paste and save
- Acer Chromebook: Files > Downloads
Screenshot Not Working on Acer Laptop? Try These Fixes
Fix 1: Add the Fn Key
If PrtSc does nothing, press Fn + PrtSc. On some Acer laptops, the top-row keys need Fn by default.
Fix 2: Check the Function Key Setting
Some Acer laptops let you change how the top-row keys behave in the BIOS (look for Function Key Behavior). If you’ve switched it, PrtSc may need Fn, or the other way around.
Fix 3: Use Windows + Shift + S
It doesn’t rely on the PrtSc key, so it’s the quickest workaround.
Fix 4: Check OneDrive
OneDrive can take over PrtSc. Click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar, then open Settings > Sync and back up and check the screenshot option.
Fix 5: Turn On Snipping Tool Notifications
Go to Settings > System > Notifications and make sure Snipping Tool is on, so you see the preview after each screenshot.
Fix 6: Update Windows and Restart
Go to Settings > Windows Update, install updates, and restart.
More fixes: Print Screen Not Working on Windows 11? 10 Fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I take a screenshot on my Acer laptop?
Press Windows + PrtSc to save the full screen, or Windows + Shift + S to capture part of it. On an Acer Chromebook, press Ctrl + Show windows.
Why doesn’t PrtSc work on my Acer laptop?
On many Acer laptops, PrtSc shares a key with another function. Press Fn + PrtSc instead, or use Windows + Shift + S.
How do I take a screenshot on an Acer Chromebook?
Press Ctrl + Show windows for the full screen, or Ctrl + Shift + Show windows to choose an area. Screenshots go to the Downloads folder.
How do I take a scrolling screenshot on an Acer laptop?
In Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + S and choose Capture full page. For other apps, use a free tool like ShareX. See How to Take a Scrolling Screenshot on Windows.
How do I screen record on an Acer laptop?
Open Snipping Tool and switch to Record, or press Windows + Alt + R to record with Game Bar. See How to Screen Record on Windows 11.
Screenshot Guides for Other Laptops
- How to Screenshot on HP Laptop
- How to Screenshot on HP Pavilion
- How to Screenshot on Dell Laptop
- How to Screenshot on Lenovo Laptop
- How to Screenshot on Lenovo ThinkPad
- How to Screenshot on Asus Laptop
- How to Screenshot on Microsoft Surface Laptop
- How to Screenshot on Mac
Arslan Jaffar is the founder of Screenshot Geek. He writes simple, step-by-step guides for phones, laptops, and tablets, covering screenshots on Samsung, iPhone, Pixel, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Mac, plus troubleshooting fixes, tips and tricks, top 5 lists, and the latest tech news. His goal is to make technology simple, so you can find the right answer in seconds.