Taking a screenshot of just one monitor in Windows 11 isn’t rocket science, but it did take some digging to figure out the best way. The built-in Snipping Tool (or Snip & Sketch, depending on updates) is pretty decent, but it can be a bit tricky to get just a part of a specific monitor without some extra steps.
Step-by-Step: How to Screenshot Only One Monitor Windows 11
Here’s a semi-straightforward method that works pretty reliably, especially if you want to avoid capturing everything on multiple screens. This is what I’ve found after messing around a bit.
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 quicker, and it immediately pops up the snip options.
If you’re on Windows 11, the new Snipping Tool combines features from the old and new, but sometimes, it defaults to full-screen snips, making it not super helpful for only one monitor. So, be aware of that.
Step 2: Choose the right mode
Click the dropdown menu under the snip options; it might say Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, or Full-screen Snip. For precision, pick Rectangular Snip. That way, you can manually select an area.
Why it helps? Because pressing Windows + Shift + S with Rectangular Snip active lets you drag out a box over just the monitor you need. Just be sure to position your cursor carefully to capture only that screen.
Step 3: Select the area on your monitor
Drag your cursor starting from one corner of the monitor to the other, making a box that covers only that screen. Don’t worry if you miss a bit; you can redo it if needed. On some setups, the selection might spill into another monitor if they’re close, so be precise.
Why do this? Because on multi-monitor setups, the snip captures what’s within the bounds you select. No clutter from other screens gets included—unless you accidentally drag into another display.
Step 4: Capture and preview
Once you release the mouse, Windows takes the screenshot. It’ll pop up in the clipboard, or show a small preview if your Snipping Tool is set to do so. From here, you can just click Save or paste into an editor like Paint or any image editor.
Step 5: Save the screenshot
Press Ctrl + S or click the save icon, then pick a folder, give your screenshot a name, and you’re done. Easy enough, but honestly, it’s kinda weird that Windows doesn’t give a dedicated quick keyboard shortcut for “only this monitor.”
One caveat — sometimes, on certain hardware or with multiple displays, the snipping tool behaves unpredictably. It’s hit or miss whether it’ll capture only the area you want without spilling over. On one setup it worked first try, on another, I had to redo it a few times.
Tips for How to Screenshot Only One Monitor Windows 11
- If you want quick access, hit Windows + Shift + S — it activates the snipping bar instantly.
- To improve clarity, crank up your monitor brightness before the shot—sometimes, dark screens look terrible when screen-captured.
- If you only want to grab a specific window rather than a custom area, try Window Snip. Just click on the window you want 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 not careful.
- Organize your desktop icons and window positions if you often need precise screenshots—less clutter means less chance of accidental spillover.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access the Snipping Tool quickly?
Use Windows + Shift + S — it‘s the fastest way without digging through menus.
Can I just capture part of one monitor?
Yep, the Rectangular Snip mode lets you draw a box over whatever part of that monitor you actually care about.
Is it possible to add a delay before capturing?
In the newer Snipping Tool, you can choose a delay of like 3 or 5 seconds from the dropdown, giving you time to prepare. Not sure why it’s kinda hidden, but it’s there.
Can I edit the image afterward?
Mostly, yes. Snipping Tool has basic markup tools, and you can open the file in Paint or your favorite editor for more tweaking.
What formats can I save in?
Usually PNG, JPEG, or GIF — pick whatever works best for your needs.
Summary
- Hit Windows + Shift + S for quick snips.
- Choose Rectangular Snip mode.
- Drag over just the monitor you want to screenshot.
- Release and see the preview or save directly.
- Pick your file format and done.
And that’s about it — kinda clunky, but works when you get used to it. Of course, Windows has to make things harder than they need to sometimes. Still, with some patience, you can get clean shots of just one monitor instead of the whole desktop chaos. Fingers crossed this helps someone save a few minutes!