Taking a screenshot of only one monitor in Windows 11 isn’t rocket science, but it took a bit of digging to find the best way. The built-in Snipping Tool (or Snip & Sketch, depending on your update) is pretty solid, but it can be a bit tricky to capture just a part of a specific monitor without a few extra steps.
Step-by-Step: How to Screenshot Only One Monitor in Windows 11
Here’s a pretty straightforward method that works reliably, especially if you want to avoid grabbing everything from multiple screens. This is what I’ve found after a fair bit of trial and error.
Step 1: Open the Snipping Tool
You can find it by typing Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch in the Windows search bar, or just press Windows + Shift + S. The shortcut is quick as, and it’ll bring up the snip options right away.
If you’re on Windows 11, the new Snipping Tool combines features from old and new, but sometimes it defaults to full-screen captures, which isn’t ideal for only one monitor. So just be aware of that.
Step 2: Pick the right mode
Click the dropdown menu under the snip options; it might say Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, or Full-screen Snip. For more control, choose Rectangular Snip. That way, you can manually select the exact area you want.
Why? Because pressing Windows + Shift + S with Rectangular Snip active lets you drag out a box over just the monitor you’re after. Just be careful with where you move your cursor so you only grab the screen you want.
Step 3: Pick the area on your monitor
Click and drag from one corner of the monitor to the other, making a box that covers just that screen. Don’t stress if you miss a bit; you can redo it. On setups where screens are close, sometimes your selection spills over into another, so try to be precise.
Why do this? Because on multi-monitor setups, the snip only captures what’s within the borders you select. Other screens won’t be included—unless, of course, you drag into another display by accident.
Step 4: Capture and preview
Once you release the mouse, Windows takes the screenshot. It’ll pop up in the clipboard or show a tiny preview if your snipping tool’s set that way. From there, you can click Save or just paste into a program like Paint or your fave image editor.
Step 5: Save the screenshot
Hit Ctrl + S or click the save icon, pick where you want to keep it, give it a name, and you’re sorted. Easy enough, but honestly, it’s a bit odd that Windows doesn’t have a dedicated shortcut for “just this monitor.”
One thing to keep in mind — depending on your hardware or how many displays you’ve got, sometimes the snipping tool acts a bit funny. Sometimes it captures only what you want, and other times it spills over. In one setup, it was smooth as; in another, I had to give it a few tries.
Tips for How to Screenshot Only One Monitor in Windows 11
- If you want a quick kick-off, press Windows + Shift + S — it brings up the snip bar instantly.
- To make the shot look clearer, turn up your monitor brightness first—dark screens don’t screenshot well.
- If you only want to grab a particular window, try Window Snip. Just click on the window after triggering the shortcut.
- Double-check your selection before saving; on multi-monitor setups, it’s easy to accidentally grab part of the other screen if you’re not careful.
- Keep your desktop tidy—less clutter and well-organized windows mean less chance of spillover when you’re screencapping.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get quick access to the Snipping Tool?
Use Windows + Shift + S — quickest way without mucking around in menus.
Can I just screenshot a part of one monitor?
Yep, the Rectangular Snip mode lets you draw a box over the exact part of the screen you want.
Is there a way to add a delay before it captures?
In the newer Snipping Tool, you can choose a delay of 3 or 5 seconds from the dropdown—gives you time to get ready. Not the easiest to find, but it’s there.
Can I edit the shot afterward?
Most definitely. Snipping Tool has some basic markup options, and you can open the image in Paint or another image editor to tweak it further.
What file formats can I save in?
Typically PNG, JPEG, or GIF—pick whatever suits your needs best.
Summary
- Hit Windows + Shift + S for quick snips.
- Select Rectangular Snip.
- Drag over just the screen you want.
- Release and check the preview or save straight away.
- Pick your format and you’re done.
And that’s about it—kinda clunky, but it works once you get the hang of it. Windows can be a bit frustrating at times, but with a bit of patience, you’ll be capturing only what you need, without the clutter from other screens. Hope this helps save you a few minutes down the track!