3 Ways to Screenshot on an Acer Desktop

Acer Desktop

Preserving precious moments or sharing valuable information on your Acer Desktop requires the ability to capture screenshots. Screenshots provide a quick and convenient way to document your work or capture key moments on your screen. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or a casual user, knowing how to screenshot on your Acer Desktop is an essential skill. This comprehensive guide will unravel the nuances of this seemingly simple task, empowering you to capture your screen with precision and ease.

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Acer Desktops offer multiple screenshot methods, each tailored to specific needs. The most straightforward approach is using the keyboard shortcut, the Print Screen key (PrtScn). Simply press this key, and the entire screen will be copied to your clipboard. From there, you can paste the screenshot into an image editing program or your preferred destination. However, if you want more control over the captured area, the Snipping Tool is a more versatile option. This built-in Windows utility allows you to select specific portions of the screen to capture, making it ideal for capturing specific sections or elements.

For more advanced screenshotting capabilities, the Game Bar is an excellent choice. This tool, primarily designed for gaming, offers a range of features that extend to capturing screenshots and screen recordings. The Game Bar can be activated by pressing the Windows key + G, providing a convenient and customizable interface for capturing specific moments in your gameplay or desktop activities. With these methods at your disposal, you’ll be able to capture screenshots on your Acer Desktop with precision and efficiency.

Snipping Tool Method

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows application that allows you to capture screenshots of your screen. It offers various options for capturing different areas of your screen, including a rectangular snip, a free-form snip, a window snip, and a full-screen snip.

Steps 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 to launch the Snipping Tool.
Select the type of snip you want to capture (rectangular, free-form, window, or full-screen) from the Mode menu.
Click and drag your mouse to capture the desired area of your screen.
Once you release the mouse button, the captured screenshot will appear in the Snipping Tool window.
You can edit the screenshot using the tools provided in the Snipping Tool toolbar, such as the pen, highlighter, and eraser.
Click the Save button to save the screenshot to a file or share it via email or other applications.

Additional Features of the Snipping Tool:

Delay: You can set a delay before the snip is captured, which can be useful for capturing drop-down menus or other dynamic elements.
Annotations: You can add annotations to your screenshots using the pen, highlighter, and eraser tools.
Sharing: You can easily share screenshots via email, OneNote, or other applications using the sharing button in the Snipping Tool toolbar.

Option	Description
Rectangular Snip	Captures a rectangular area of the screen.
Free-form Snip	Captures any irregular shape of the screen.
Window Snip	Captures the entire window of an active application.
Full-screen Snip	Captures the entire screen.

Print Screen Key Technique

The Print Screen key, abbreviated as “PrtScn” or “PrtSc,’ is a dedicated key found on most Acer keyboards. Using this key, you can capture a screenshot of your entire screen or specific portions of your screen, depending on the method you choose.

To capture a full-screen screenshot, simply press the Print Screen key once. The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, which you can then paste into an image editor or other application.

Capturing Specific Portions of the Screen

To capture a screenshot of only a specific portion of your screen, you can use the following steps:

Press the Windows key + Shift + S simultaneously.
The screen will dim, and your cursor will change to a crosshair.
Click and drag the mouse pointer to select the area of the screen you want to capture.
- Free-form snipping:
The snippet tool will be in a free-form snip mode and the portion of your screen within the crosshair will be captured as a screenshot.
- Rectangular snipping:
Hold down the left mouse button and drag it to outline a rectangular area of the screen. Only the rectangular portion within the crosshair will be captured.
- Window snipping:
Click on a window to capture a screenshot of that specific window. The snipping tool will automatically detect the window boundaries.
- Full-screen snipping:
Press the Enter key to capture a screenshot of the entire screen.
Once you have selected the area, the screenshot will be copied to your clipboard.

Here is a table summarizing the different screenshot methods using the Print Screen key:

Method	Description
Print Screen	Captures a screenshot of the entire screen.
Windows key + Shift + S	Allows you to capture a screenshot of a specific portion of the screen.
Windows key + Shift + PrtScn	Captures a screenshot of the entire screen and automatically saves it as a PNG file in the Pictures > Screenshots folder.

Use the Third-Party Screenshot Tool

If the default screenshot utilities don’t provide the functionality you need, there are numerous third-party applications that offer advanced features and customization options. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a third-party screenshot tool on an Acer desktop:

Step 1: Choose and Install a Tool

There are many reputable third-party screenshot tools available, such as:

Tool	Features
Snipaste	Advanced editing tools, screen recording, annotation
Greenshot	Annotation, file sharing, OCR integration
ShareX	Screencast, hotkey customization, multiple sharing options
LightShot	Easy editing, cloud storage, screencast

Visit the official websites of these tools to download and install the software on your Acer desktop.

Step 2: Set Hotkeys

Most third-party screenshot tools allow you to customize hotkeys for different screenshot modes (e.g., full screen, active window, region, etc.). To set up hotkeys, go to the tool’s settings and configure the shortcuts as per your preference.

Step 3: Capture Screenshots

Once you have set up the hotkeys, you can start capturing screenshots. Simply press the designated hotkey for the desired screenshot mode. The captured image will be saved to a predetermined folder or the tool’s built-in gallery.

Step 4: Edit and Share

Most third-party screenshot tools offer a wide range of editing features, such as image annotation, cropping, drawing, and adding text. You can also easily share the captured screenshots via social media, email, or cloud storage services.

By using a third-party screenshot tool, you can capture and edit screenshots with greater flexibility and functionality, enhancing your productivity and customization options.

Utilize the Snip & Sketch App

Snip & Sketch is a versatile tool that allows you to take screenshots, annotate them, and share them with ease. Here’s how to use it:

1. Launch the App

Click on the Windows Start button and search for “Snip & Sketch”. Alternatively, press Windows Key + Shift + S to invoke the snipping toolbar.

2. Capture a Screenshot

Choose the desired capture method from the snipping toolbar. You can capture the entire screen (Full Screen Snip), a specific window (Window Snip), a rectangular area (Rectangular Snip), or a free-form shape (Freeform Snip).

3. Capture a Delayed Screenshot

If you need a few seconds to set up your screenshot, select “Delay” from the timer icon. You can choose a 3 or 10 second delay.

4. Advanced Features in Snip & Sketch

Feature	Description
Crop	Trim excess portions of your screenshot using the crop tool.
Annotate	Add text, arrows, lines, and other annotations to your screenshot using the pen, highlighter, and eraser tools.
Ruler	Display a ruler to measure distances or angles on your screenshot.
Protractor	Measure angles on your screenshot using the protractor tool.
Share	Export your screenshot as an image file (PNG, JPG, or BMP), or share it via email, social media, or other applications.

These advanced features make Snip & Sketch a powerful tool for capturing, annotating, and sharing screenshots on your Acer desktop.

Capture Screenshots with OneDrive

OneDrive offers a convenient way to capture and store screenshots on your Acer desktop. Here’s how to do it:

Install OneDrive: Ensure that the OneDrive app is installed on your desktop. If not, download and install it from the Microsoft Store.
Sign in to OneDrive: Launch the OneDrive app and sign in with your Microsoft account.
Open OneDrive Folder: Locate the OneDrive folder on your desktop. By default, it’s named “OneDrive” and is usually found in the Quick Access section of File Explorer.
Enable Automatic Screenshot Capture: In the OneDrive settings, enable the “Automatically save screenshots I capture” option. This will configure OneDrive to capture and save your screenshots automatically.
Capture Screenshot: To capture a screenshot, use any of the following methods:

Method	Keyboard Shortcut
Capture Full Screen	Windows Key + PrtScn
Capture Active Window	Alt + PrtScn
Capture Specific Area	Windows Key + Shift + S

Once captured, the screenshot will be saved in the OneDrive folder.

Employ the Windows Game Bar

The Windows Game Bar is an incredibly convenient tool for capturing screenshots on your Acer desktop. It comes pre-installed on most Windows 10 and 11 systems, making it easily accessible.

To utilize the Game Bar, simply press the Windows key + G simultaneously. This will prompt the Game Bar overlay to appear on your screen. Click on the camera icon located in the upper left-hand corner of the overlay to capture a screenshot.

The captured screenshot will be automatically saved to the “Captures” folder within your Pictures library. You can access this folder by navigating to File Explorer > Pictures > Captures.

Customizing the Game Bar Shortcut

If you find yourself frequently using the Game Bar, you can assign a custom keyboard shortcut for quicker access. To do this, follow these steps:

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I.
Navigate to Gaming > Game Bar.
Locate the “Open Game Bar using a keyboard shortcut” option and enter your desired shortcut in the provided field.
Click “Save” to apply the changes.

Capturing Screenshots with Advanced Options

The Game Bar also offers advanced screenshot options that allow you to capture specific regions of the screen or even record videos. To access these options, click on the gear icon in the Game Bar overlay and navigate to the “Captures” tab. Here, you can customize settings such as the screenshot format (JPEG or PNG) and the location where screenshots are saved.

Option	Description
Capture selected region	Captures only a specific area of the screen.
Record last 30 seconds	Captures a video of the last 30 seconds of gameplay.
Capture background audio	Records audio from your microphone and/or speakers.
Screenshot folder location	Specifies the location where screenshots are saved.

Utilize the Xbox Accessories App

Downloading the Xbox Accessories app from the Microsoft Store is a reliable method for capturing screenshots on your Acer desktop. Follow these steps:

Ensure that your Xbox controller is connected to your PC via Bluetooth or a wired connection.
Launch the Xbox Accessories app on your computer.
Navigate to the “Capture” tab within the app.
Configure your preferred screenshot settings, such as the file format and destination folder.
Press the “Xbox” button on your controller to open the Guide menu.
Navigate to the “Capture” tab using the d-pad or left analog stick.
Press the “View” button (located on the right side of the controller) to capture a screenshot. The captured image will be saved to the designated folder.

Key	Function
Xbox button	Opens the Guide menu
D-pad or left analog stick	Navigates the Guide menu
View button	Captures a screenshot

Take Screenshots Using the NVIDIA Control Panel

If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can use the NVIDIA Control Panel to take screenshots. Here’s how:

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.
Type “nvidia control panel” into the Run box and press Enter.
In the NVIDIA Control Panel, click on the “Manage 3D settings” link in the left-hand menu.
Click on the “Configure Surround, PhysX” tab.
In the “Screenshot” section, select the desired screenshot format from the drop-down menu.
Click on the “Capture” button to take a screenshot.
The screenshot will be saved to the specified location.

Additional Options

The NVIDIA Control Panel also offers a number of additional options for taking screenshots. These options include:

Option	Description
Delay before capture	Specifies the number of seconds to wait before taking the screenshot.
Include cursor in capture	Specifies whether or not to include the mouse cursor in the screenshot.
Capture single display only	Specifies whether or not to capture only the active display.

You can adjust these options to suit your needs. For example, you can set a delay before capture if you want to take a screenshot of a specific event that is about to happen. Or, you can choose to exclude the mouse cursor from the screenshot if you don’t want it to be visible.

Capture Screenshots with the AMD Radeon Software

The AMD Radeon Software offers a powerful screenshot utility that enables you to capture images and videos of your gameplay and desktop activity. Here’s how to use it:

Launch the AMD Radeon Software from your taskbar or system tray.
Click on the “Settings” icon in the top-right corner.
Select the “Screenshot” tab from the left-hand menu.
Configure the screenshot settings to your preference. You can choose the file format (PNG, JPEG, GIF, TIFF), the screenshot quality, and the location where the screenshots are saved.
To take a screenshot, press the default key combination (Ctrl + Shift + E). You can customize the key combination by clicking on the “Hotkeys” button.
After taking a screenshot, you’ll receive a notification in the Windows Action Center.
Click on the notification to open the screenshot in your default image viewer.
If you want to capture a video, click on the “Record” button in the Radeon Software toolbar.
To stop recording, click on the “Stop” button or press the default key combination (Ctrl + Shift + F).
The recorded video will be saved to the location you specified in the Radeon Software settings.

Here’s a table summarizing the key combinations for screenshot capture and video recording:

Action	Default Key Combination
Take a screenshot	Ctrl + Shift + E
Start/stop video recording	Ctrl + Shift + F

Take Screenshots with the Microsoft Surface Pen

To take a screenshot using the Microsoft Surface Pen, follow these steps:

Press the Windows key + Print Screen key simultaneously.
The screenshot will be saved in the Screenshots folder in your Pictures library.
To customize the screenshot, you can use the Snipping Tool.

Saving Screenshots

By default, screenshots are saved in the Screenshots folder in your Pictures library. You can change the save location by following these steps:

Open the Settings app.
Click on “System” and then on “Storage.”
Under “Save locations,” click on the drop-down menu and select the desired save location.

Customizing Screenshots

You can customize screenshots using the Snipping Tool. To open the Snipping Tool, press the Windows key + Print Screen key. Alternatively, you can search for “Snipping Tool” in the Start menu.

Snipping Tool Features

The Snipping Tool offers a range of features for customizing screenshots:

Feature	Description
Free-form Snip	Allows you to capture any shape or size.
Rectangular Snip	Captures a rectangular area.
Window Snip	Captures a specific window.
Full-screen Snip	Captures the entire screen.
Delay	Allows you to delay the screenshot by up to 5 seconds.
Annotation	Enables you to add annotations, such as text and arrows, to your screenshots.

Once you have customized your screenshot, you can save it in a variety of formats, including PNG, JPG, and BMP.

How to Screenshot on Acer Desktop

Taking a screenshot on an Acer desktop is a simple process that can be completed in a few short steps. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Locate the “PrtScn” or “Print Screen” key on your keyboard. It is usually located in the upper-right corner of the keyboard.
Press the “PrtScn” key to capture a screenshot of the entire screen.
Open an image editing program such as Microsoft Paint or GIMP.
Press “Ctrl + V” (Windows) or “Command + V” (Mac) to paste the screenshot into the program.
Save the screenshot as an image file.