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 minuteUse your system’s area or region capture, then drag a rectangle from one corner of the monitor you want to capture to the opposite corner. This captures every visible pixel inside that display without including the neighboring monitor. Do not use a full-screen command unless you have confirmed that it means one screen on your operating system; on many setups it captures all connected displays.
Choose the capture mode that matches your goal
Multi-monitor screenshot tools normally offer three different targets. Selecting the wrong one is the most common reason an image contains too much—or too little—of the desktop.
Area or region capture
Choose an area, rectangular, or partial screenshot. The overlay usually spans all connected displays, so begin at a corner of the intended monitor and drag to its opposite corner. Release only after the selection outline covers that display. This is the reliable method for capturing the entire contents of one monitor, including its taskbar, desktop, and several windows.
Window capture
Window mode selects one application window, not one physical monitor. It is the better choice when you need a browser or editor window without the rest of the desktop, but it can omit other visible windows, wallpaper, panels, or notifications on that display.
Recommended Free Tools
#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
Full-screen capture
Full-screen mode may mean the current display, a desktop spanning every monitor, or a predefined screen target depending on the operating system and version. Treat it as unsafe for this task unless the preview proves that only the desired display was captured.
Windows 10 and Windows 11
Capture one monitor with Snipping Tool
- Press Windows+Shift+S. The Snipping Tool capture overlay appears.
- Choose the Rectangular snip option.
- Move the pointer to a corner of the monitor you want. If your displays are arranged side by side, the overlay continues across the boundary, so check which display contains the pointer.
- Drag to the opposite corner of that monitor and release. Keep the selection inside its outer edges; do not include the gap or neighboring screen.
- The capture is copied to the clipboard. Select the Snipping Tool notification to edit, save, or share it.
Microsoft’s Snipping Tool also exposes freeform, window, and full-screen modes. Use window mode only for one application, and use full-screen mode only when capturing every connected display is acceptable. If the shortcut does nothing or your build shows a different overlay, open Start, search for Snipping Tool, launch it, and choose the rectangular region option from its visible controls.
What not to use
Alt+Print Screen captures the active window. It does not capture an entire physical monitor, so it cannot include all content on that display unless one window happens to fill it.
Where the image goes
Windows copies the snip to the clipboard and opens it in the Snipping Tool notification for editing, saving, and sharing. Paste it into an image editor, document, or chat with Ctrl+V, or open the notification to choose a file location.
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
Capture one display as a rectangle
- Press Shift-Command-4. The pointer changes to a crosshair.
- Move to one corner of the target display.
- Drag diagonally to the opposite corner. Keep the crosshair inside that monitor’s boundaries.
- Release the mouse or trackpad button to take the screenshot.
macOS captures exactly the selected rectangle, so you can capture a whole monitor or only part of it. A thumbnail appears briefly; after it disappears or you dismiss it, Apple saves the screenshot to the desktop by default.
Capture one application window instead
- Press Shift-Command-4.
- Press Space to switch from rectangular selection to window selection.
- Click the window you want.
This produces a clean image of that app window rather than the complete display. Some applications, including Apple TV, may block screenshots of their windows.
Chromebook and ChromeOS
Use the Screen Capture controls
- Press the Chromebook’s Screenshot key if your keyboard has one. You can also open Settings > Screen Capture.
- On an external keyboard without a Show windows key, use Ctrl+Shift+F5. On standard Chromebook keyboards, Shift+Ctrl+Show windows opens the capture controls.
- Choose Screenshot, then select Partial screenshot.
- Drag a rectangle over the monitor you want. Keep the rectangle within that display’s edges.
- Release to capture. ChromeOS saves screenshots in Downloads by default and copies them to the clipboard.
The same panel offers full-screen and window screenshots. Full-screen is not the right choice when you must exclude another connected display; window mode is appropriate only when you want one app.
Linux with GNOME
Select an area, screen, or window
- Press Print, or open the screenshot button from the system menu.
- In the screenshot overlay, choose Area (wording can vary), rather than Screen or Window.
- Drag from one corner of the target monitor to the opposite corner.
- Confirm the selection and take the screenshot.
GNOME provides area, screen, and window choices. In one GNOME help version, Shift+Print is the shortcut for an area screenshot, but keyboard bindings can be changed. The screenshot interface is the safer route when the shortcut differs on your installation. GNOME saves screenshots in Pictures/Screenshots and copies them to the clipboard.
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 →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.
These instructions are specific to GNOME. KDE Plasma, Cinnamon, Xfce, and other Linux desktops can use different utilities, shortcuts, and save locations. Open your desktop’s screenshot tool and look for an area or rectangular selection.
Verify the result before sharing
- Open the image at 100% size and inspect both side edges for pixels from the neighboring display.
- Check that the top and bottom edges include the intended panel, dock, or taskbar if those are needed.
- If the image is missing content, repeat the drag with the selection starting exactly at the monitor’s visible corner.
- Remember that a monitor’s logical desktop coordinates can differ from its physical resolution when display scaling is enabled; the selection overlay still uses the visible screen, so follow the displayed boundaries rather than guessing pixel dimensions.
Troubleshooting common failures
The screenshot contains both monitors
You probably used a full-screen command or dragged past the display boundary. Reopen the area or rectangular selector and release at the target monitor’s opposite edge. On Windows, use Windows+Shift+S; on macOS, Shift-Command-4; on ChromeOS, Partial screenshot; and in GNOME, Area.
Only one app appears, but you need the whole monitor
Window capture was selected. Switch to area or rectangular selection and draw around the entire display. Window mode intentionally excludes other applications and desktop content.
The shortcut does not work
Shortcuts can vary by operating-system version, keyboard layout, remapping software, and desktop environment. Open the screenshot utility from Start, Settings, the system menu, or the app launcher and select the visible area option. On Linux, identify the desktop environment before relying on a shortcut.
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
The capture is saved somewhere unexpected
Save behavior is platform-specific. Windows first copies a snip to the clipboard and offers saving through Snipping Tool. macOS saves to the desktop after the thumbnail is dismissed. ChromeOS uses Downloads by default and also copies to the clipboard. GNOME uses Pictures/Screenshots and copies to the clipboard. Use the clipboard as a fallback: paste the image into an editor and save it where you need.
macOS refuses to capture an app
Some protected applications do not permit screenshots. Try capturing another window or the surrounding area. If the application remains protected, its own export or recording feature may be required.
You are using Android or an iPhone/iPad with an external monitor
There is no single, consistently documented workflow for capturing only one external display on mobile devices. Android’s standard help describes taking a screenshot and cropping it with guidelines; button combinations differ by manufacturer. If the standard method fails, consult the device maker’s current support instructions. For a dependable one-display result, perform the capture from the connected computer or crop the mobile screenshot afterward.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Performance, privacy, and repeatability tips
Make repeated captures consistent
- Keep display arrangement and scaling unchanged while making a series of captures.
- Use the same area-selection direction and include the same panel or dock boundaries each time.
- Close sensitive notifications before capturing; area mode records everything inside the rectangle.
- For documentation, paste each capture into an editor immediately and use a descriptive filename that identifies the display and date.
Choose the right image for the job
Use a whole-display area capture for bug reports, remote-support instructions, and multi-window workflows. Use window capture for a focused tutorial or app issue. A full-screen capture is appropriate only when showing the complete multi-monitor workspace is intentional.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →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.
Or skip the browser setup
If what you actually need is a screenshot of a web page—not a physical monitor—you can request it directly from ScreenshotNeo. It returns a PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF from one HTTP request and is useful for automated documentation, previews, and tests. It does not capture your local desktop displays; it captures the URL you provide.
For a basic web-page shot:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the complete parameter reference in the ScreenshotNeo documentation. The same request in Python is:
import 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)Node.js:
const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);ScreenshotNeo can accept consent banners before capture and remove more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each cleanup step can be disabled. Bot checks or CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed, and response headers identify the page verdict and billing result. Its MCP server provides take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf tools for Claude, Cursor, and other MCP clients. The Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month without a card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Create a free ScreenshotNeo account.
Quick decision guide
| Need | Use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everything visible on one physical monitor | Area or rectangular selection | You define the exact display boundaries. |
| One application only | Window capture | It excludes other windows and desktop content. |
| Every connected display | Full-screen capture | It is designed for the complete desktop, when your platform uses that behavior. |
| A web page generated by code | ScreenshotNeo API | It captures a URL without configuring a local browser. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will area selection include the monitor bezel or the gap between screens?
It captures only the pixels inside your drag rectangle. Start and end at the visible desktop edges; bezels and physical gaps are not desktop pixels.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Can I capture a monitor that is above or below my main display?
Yes. The overlay spans the virtual desktop. Drag from one corner of that monitor to the opposite corner, regardless of its position.
Does display scaling change the shortcut?
No. Scaling can change the logical size of UI elements, but the selection tool remains the same. Follow the visible monitor boundaries.
Can ScreenshotNeo capture my local monitor?
No. ScreenshotNeo captures web URLs returned by its API. Use your operating system’s area capture for a physical display.
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.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute
