Use a capture mode that targets one monitor or a rectangle on that monitor. On Windows, press Windows + Shift + S and draw a rectangular snip around the display, or use Windows + Shift + R for a short rectangular video. For longer recordings, add OBS Display Capture and select the intended display in its properties. If you need one application rather than an entire monitor, choose Window Capture (or macOS Screen Capture window mode). A full-screen shortcut is the wrong choice because it includes the whole virtual desktop.
Choose the capture type before you start
Two decisions determine whether another monitor appears in the result:
- Region versus full display: a rectangular selection records only the coordinates you drag over; display capture records one complete monitor.
- Display versus window: display capture includes everything visible on that monitor. Window capture follows one application window, even when another window overlaps it.
| What you need | Best starting point | Result |
|---|---|---|
| One still image | Windows Snipping Tool rectangular snip | Selected rectangle on one display |
| Short Windows clip | Snipping Tool video snip | Selected rectangular region |
| Long recording or stream of one monitor | OBS Display Capture | One selected full display |
| One application only | OBS Window Capture, or macOS Screen Capture window/application mode | Chosen window or app content |
| Built-in Mac recording | Screenshot app | Screen recording controlled from macOS onscreen controls |
These choices are independent of whether the monitors are arranged side by side, stacked, or have different resolutions. The selection must simply cover the intended display without extending into the adjacent part of the virtual desktop.
Windows: capture one monitor as a still image
Rectangular Snipping Tool method
- Arrange the monitors as you want them, then click the desktop or window you want to capture so you can identify the correct display.
- Press Windows + Shift + S. Snipping Tool opens its capture bar.
- Choose Rectangular mode.
- Move the pointer to a corner of the target monitor and drag to its opposite corner. Keep the drag inside that monitor’s boundaries. If the monitors touch, watch the edge where the selection crosses into the neighboring display.
- Release the mouse button. The image is copied to Snipping Tool, where you can annotate, save, or share it.
Microsoft Support documents rectangular, freeform, window, and full-screen image snips. A full-screen snip captures the whole screen area, so it is not suitable when the output must contain only one display. Window mode is useful when the target is a single application rather than a complete monitor.
#1 Best Overall
- CRISP CLARITY: This 23.8″ Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
- INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
- WORK SEAMLESSLY: This sleek monitor is virtually bezel-free on three sides, so the screen looks even bigger for the viewer. This minimalistic design also allows for seamless multi-monitor setups that enhance your workflow and boost productivity
- A BETTER READING EXPERIENCE: For busy office workers, EasyRead mode provides a more paper-like experience for when viewing lengthy documents
When monitor sizes or scaling differ
Windows can position monitors with different pixel dimensions and scaling percentages. The visible selection still follows the desktop coordinates. Start and finish the drag well inside the target display, then inspect the preview before saving. If a strip of the neighboring monitor is included, undo the snip and draw a slightly smaller rectangle.
Windows: record a short clip from one screen
For a brief demonstration, Snipping Tool’s video flow avoids creating a recording scene.
- Press Windows + Shift + R, or open Snipping Tool and select the Record button.
- Select New.
- Drag a rectangle over the monitor area you want to record.
- Start and stop the recording using the controls shown by Snipping Tool.
- Review the clip, then save or share it.
Microsoft describes a video snip as recording a rectangular selection of any part of the screen. This is different from a full-screen recording: the rectangle is the boundary that prevents the second monitor from appearing.
Long recordings and streams with OBS
Display Capture for one complete monitor
- Open OBS and select or create the scene that will contain the recording.
- In Sources, click + and choose Display Capture.
- Create the source, then open its properties.
- In the display selector, choose the physical monitor you intend to record. Do not rely only on a remembered monitor number; reconnecting a display or changing Windows’ arrangement can alter numbering.
- Confirm the preview shows only that display. If it does not, reopen the source properties and select the other display.
- Set your output resolution and frame rate, run a short test, and then start recording or streaming.
OBS documents Display Capture as capturing an entire monitor and allows only one Display Capture source per display. That limitation matters when building a scene: add a single source for the desired monitor rather than stacking sources and accidentally recording both.
Window Capture when the monitor is not the real target
Choose Window Capture when you want one application, such as a browser, editor, or game, instead of everything visible on the monitor. Select the application window in the source properties. OBS says the selected window remains visible even when other windows are in front, which prevents notifications or unrelated applications on the same monitor from entering the recording. A maximized window can still be captured without including the second display.
Rank #2
- CRISP CLARITY: This 22 inch class (21.5″ viewable) Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
- 100HZ FAST REFRESH RATE: 100Hz brings your favorite movies and video games to life. Stream, binge, and play effortlessly
- SMOOTH ACTION WITH ADAPTIVE-SYNC: Adaptive-Sync technology ensures fluid action sequences and rapid response time. Every frame will be rendered smoothly with crystal clarity and without stutter
- INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
macOS 13 and later
On macOS 13 and later, OBS marks the older Display Capture source as deprecated and directs users to macOS Screen Capture. That source provides display, window, and application modes. Choose display mode for one whole monitor, window mode for one window, or application mode for the visible windows belonging to an application. Audio options depend on the macOS version, so verify the source’s audio controls before a live session.
Mac’s built-in Screenshot recording
Open the macOS Screenshot controls (the onscreen recording panel) and select a recording option, then choose the available screen or selection controls shown for your Mac. The exact options depend on macOS and the application being recorded. Apple notes that some applications can block window recording; the Apple TV app is one documented example. If a protected app produces a blank or refused capture, changing the monitor selection will not remove that restriction.
How to prevent the second monitor from appearing
- For a still or short Windows clip, use a rectangle, not a full-screen command.
- For OBS, verify the selected display in the source properties immediately before recording.
- Use Window Capture or macOS Screen Capture window/application mode when the content is an app, not a physical display.
- Check the preview at the target resolution. A source transformed to fit the canvas can look correct while still containing an unwanted edge; crop or recreate the source if necessary.
- Disable overlays, notifications, and cursor effects if they reveal activity from the other display.
- Run a five-second test and inspect the saved file, not only the live preview.
Troubleshooting
The recording contains both monitors
You probably selected a full-desktop mode or dragged a rectangle across the boundary. Recreate the snip within one display, or open OBS Display Capture properties and choose the intended display. If you meant one app, replace Display Capture with Window Capture.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The wrong monitor is recorded
Monitor numbering can change after reconnecting cables, docking, or altering the operating-system arrangement. Identify the display from the live preview and select it again in the source properties. Do not assume “Display 1” is always the same physical panel.
A black or blank area appears
Protected applications may block recording. Apple specifically identifies the Apple TV app as an example. Test an ordinary desktop window to separate an application restriction from a source-selection error. A blank page can also result from a browser or app that has not finished rendering; wait for it to load before capturing.
Rank #3
- Clear visuals. Fluid motion: A 144Hz refresh rate and 1ms MPRT deliver smooth, tear‑free motion across work, gaming, and streaming for clearer, more fluid viewing.
- Eye comfort: TÜV Rheinland 3‑star* certification reduces harmful blue light while preserving stunning color quality without compromise. *TÜV Rheinland 3-star eye comfort certification.
- Wide viewing angle: Get consistent views across a wide 178° /178° viewing angle.
- In-Plane Switching (IPS): See excellent color accuracy and consistency across wide viewing angles with In-plane Switching (IPS) technology.
- Ultra-thin bezels: Maximize your viewing experience with thin bezels.
The selection misses part of a display
Different scaling or a non-rectangular monitor arrangement can make the virtual desktop boundary less obvious. Redraw from corner to corner, keeping the pointer inside the target monitor, and check the preview. For repeatable work, use OBS Display Capture rather than manually drawing the same rectangle each time.
OBS shows an outdated or unavailable source
On macOS 13 and later, use macOS Screen Capture instead of the deprecated legacy Display Capture source. On any platform, confirm that OBS has the operating-system permission required for screen recording, then restart OBS after changing that permission.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsAudio is missing
Screen selection and audio routing are separate. Check the selected source’s audio controls and macOS-version support when using macOS Screen Capture. Make a short test recording before a presentation or stream.
Performance and reliability considerations
Capturing one display generally reduces the amount of desktop image data compared with capturing the entire virtual desktop, but the workload still depends on resolution, frame rate, scaling, scene filters, and encoder settings. A high-resolution or high-refresh monitor can use substantial GPU and disk bandwidth. For long sessions:
- Record to a fast local drive with sufficient free space.
- Use a test clip to check dropped frames, audio sync, and file playback.
- Close unnecessary animated applications and browser tabs on the captured monitor.
- Keep the selected display and OBS scene unchanged after testing.
- For streams, watch OBS statistics while recording; a clean preview does not guarantee a stable network upload.
Or skip the browser setup
If what you actually need is a screenshot of a web page—not a live image of your physical monitor—ScreenshotNeo can return the page directly through one API request. It is not a replacement for OBS when you must record a desktop, but it avoids browser-window positioning and multi-monitor selection for web captures.
Rank #4
- CURVED FOR ENHANCED ENGAGEMENT: An immersive viewing experience with a curved monitor that wraps more closely around your field of vision; It creates a wider view, enhancing depth perception and minimizing peripheral distraction
- SMOOTH PERFORMANCE FOR SEAMLESS CONTENT: Stay in the action when playing games, watching videos, or working on creative projects; The 100Hz refresh rate reduces lag and motion blur so you don't miss a thing in fast-paced moments¹
- MORE GAMING POWER: Gain the edge with optimizable game settings; Color and image contrast can be adjusted to see scenes more vividly and spot enemies hiding in the dark; Game Mode adjusts any game to fill the screen so you can view every detail²
- KEEP IT EASY ON THE EYES: Care for your eyes and stay comfortable, even during long sessions; Advanced eye comfort technology certified by TÜV reduces eye strain by minimizing blue light and reducing irritating screen flicker²
- INCREASED VERSATILITY: Connect to more; Plug devices straight into your monitor for increased flexibility, making your computing environment even more convenient
ScreenshotNeo accepts a URL and returns PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF. Before capture it accepts the cookie or consent banner like a visitor and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each cleanup step can be turned off. Bot checks or CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits cost nothing, and response headers report the page verdict and whether the request was billed. An MCP server provides take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf tools for Claude, Cursor, and other MCP clients.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →One-call examples
See the parameter details in the ScreenshotNeo documentation.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpimport requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);Every plan includes the same feature set: full-page capture with lazy images loaded, CSS-selector element capture, dark mode, device presets and custom viewports, retina scale, PDF paper and page controls, custom CSS and JavaScript, clicks, waits, request blocking, headers, cookies, user agents, authorization, timezone and geolocation, transparent backgrounds, resizing, chosen cache TTLs, signed image links, asynchronous jobs with signed webhooks, bulk capture of up to 100 URLs per call, a usage API, and an OpenAPI specification. Common screenshot-API parameter names also work, which can simplify migration.
The Free plan includes 1,000 shots per month without a card. Paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots; yearly billing provides two months free. Create a free ScreenshotNeo account to start with those 1,000 monthly shots.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Can I capture one monitor without installing OBS?
Yes. Windows Snipping Tool handles still images and short rectangular videos. macOS provides its Screenshot recording controls. OBS is most useful for longer recordings, streaming, scenes, and audio control.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Should I capture a display or a window?
Choose a display when everything visible on one monitor belongs in the recording. Choose a window when only one application matters, even if other windows overlap it.
Best Value
- 【INTEGRATED SPEAKERS】Whether you're at work or in the midst of an intense gaming session, our built-in speakers provide rich and seamless audio, all while keeping your desk clutter-free.
- 【EASY ON THE EYES】 Protect your eyes and enhance your comfort with Blue-Light Shift technology. This feature reduces harmful blue light emissions from your screen, helping to alleviate eye strain during long hours of use and promoting healthier viewing habits.
- 【WIDEN YOUR PERSPECTIVE】Our sleek minimal bezel design ensures undivided attention. The nearly bezel-free display seamlessly connects in a dual monitor arrangement, delivering an unobstructed view that lets you focus on more at once, completely distraction-free.
Why does a protected app refuse to record?
Some applications intentionally block window or screen recording. Apple documents the Apple TV app as one example; test another application to confirm the restriction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I capture one monitor without installing OBS?
Yes. Windows Snipping Tool handles still images and short rectangular videos. macOS provides its Screenshot recording controls. OBS is most useful for longer recordings, streaming, scenes, and audio control.
Should I capture a display or a window?
Choose a display when everything visible on one monitor belongs in the recording. Choose a window when only one application matters, even if other windows overlap it.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWhy does a protected app refuse to record?
Some applications intentionally block window or screen recording. Apple documents the Apple TV app as one example; test another application to confirm the restriction.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
