How to Print Screen One Screen in Windows 11: A Comprehensive Guide

Capturing screenshots is an essential skill for anyone using a computer, whether you’re creating tutorials, documenting issues, or simply saving information. Windows 11 offers several built-in methods to take screenshots, but knowing how to capture only one screen when using multiple monitors is crucial. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough of the various ways to print screen a single screen in Windows 11.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Basics of Print Screen in Windows 11

Windows 11 provides several built-in tools for taking screenshots. The most basic is the Print Screen (PrtScn) key. Pressing this key copies an image of your entire screen (or all screens, if you have multiple monitors) to your clipboard. This image isn’t saved as a file; instead, it’s held in the clipboard until you paste it into an image editor or document.

The Limitations of the Standard Print Screen Key

The standard Print Screen key captures all connected monitors. This can be problematic if you only want to capture content from a specific screen. In multi-monitor setups, it requires extra steps of cropping and editing, which can be time-consuming and inefficient.

Methods to Print Screen One Screen in Windows 11

Fortunately, Windows 11 offers multiple methods to capture only one screen, providing greater control and precision. Let’s explore the most effective techniques:

Method 1: Using the Alt + Print Screen Combination

The Alt + Print Screen combination is a classic Windows shortcut that captures only the active window on your currently selected monitor. This method is quick and easy, but it requires the desired content to be displayed in a dedicated window.

How to Use Alt + Print Screen:

Ensure the window you want to capture is active. Click on the window to bring it to the forefront.
Press and hold the Alt key, then press the Print Screen (PrtScn) key.
The image of the active window is now copied to your clipboard.
Open an image editor like Paint, Paint 3D, or any other image editing software.
Paste the image (usually by pressing Ctrl + V) into the editor.
You can then save the image as a file in your preferred format (e.g., PNG, JPG).

Advantages of Alt + Print Screen:

Quick and easy: This is a fast and straightforward method for capturing a single window.
No extra cropping required: Only the active window is captured, saving time and effort.
Works with most applications: This method is compatible with almost all Windows applications.

Disadvantages of Alt + Print Screen:

Captures only the active window: You cannot select a specific area outside the active window.
Requires an image editor: The captured image is not automatically saved as a file.
Doesn’t work for full-screen applications: It might not work reliably for applications running in full-screen mode.

Method 2: Utilizing the Snipping Tool

The Snipping Tool is a built-in Windows application designed specifically for capturing screenshots. It offers various modes, including a full-screen snip that can be limited to a single monitor.

Accessing the Snipping Tool:

Type “Snipping Tool” in the Windows search bar and press Enter.
Alternatively, you can find it in the Start menu under “All apps.”

Using the Snipping Tool to Capture One Screen:

Open the Snipping Tool.
Click the New button (or press Ctrl + N).
Before taking the snip, look for the “Mode” option.
Important: If you have multiple monitors, the screen on which you first clicked to start the “New” snip is the screen that will be captured when you select “Full-screen Mode”.
Select Full-screen Mode.
Click anywhere on the screen you wish to capture.
The Snipping Tool will capture the full screen of the monitor where you initiated the snip.
The captured image will appear in the Snipping Tool window.
You can then annotate, save, or copy the image as needed.

Advantages of the Snipping Tool:

Versatile capture modes: Offers different capture modes, including Full-screen, Window, Rectangular, and Free-form.
Built-in annotation tools: Allows you to add highlights, notes, and drawings to your screenshots.
Easy saving and sharing: Provides options to save the captured image in various formats and share it directly.

Disadvantages of the Snipping Tool:

Requires manual selection: You need to manually select the capture mode and area.
Slightly slower than keyboard shortcuts: It takes a few more steps compared to using the Print Screen key.
Can be confusing in multi-monitor setups: Ensuring you click on the correct screen before selecting “Full-screen Mode” is critical.

Method 3: Employing the Snip & Sketch Tool

The Snip & Sketch tool is the modern replacement for the Snipping Tool in Windows 11. It offers similar functionality with an updated interface and additional features.

Accessing the Snip & Sketch Tool:

Press Windows Key + Shift + S. This shortcut directly activates the Snip & Sketch tool.
Alternatively, you can search for “Snip & Sketch” in the Windows search bar and open the application.

Using Snip & Sketch to Capture One Screen:

Press Windows Key + Shift + S.
A small menu will appear at the top of the screen.
The active screen (the one where you pressed the shortcut) is usually the screen that will be captured in “Full-screen snip mode”.
Select Full-screen snip.
The screen you are on will briefly dim, indicating a screenshot has been taken.
A notification will appear in the bottom-right corner of your screen. Click on this notification to open the captured image in the Snip & Sketch editor.
You can then annotate, save, or copy the image as needed.

Advantages of Snip & Sketch:

Easy to use: The interface is intuitive and user-friendly.
Keyboard shortcut activation: Quickly access the tool using the Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut.
Annotation features: Offers a range of annotation tools, including pens, highlighters, and erasers.
Seamless integration with the clipboard: Captured images are automatically copied to the clipboard.

Disadvantages of Snip & Sketch:

Notification reliance: Requires clicking on the notification to access the editor, which can be slightly disruptive.
Potential conflicts with other applications: The keyboard shortcut might conflict with other applications that use the same combination.
Can be less intuitive than other methods: The fullscreen capture functionality in multi-monitor setups can sometimes be unpredictable.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Screenshot Tools

Numerous third-party screenshot tools are available that offer advanced features and greater control over the capture process. These tools often provide options to select specific monitors for capture, along with other functionalities like scrolling screenshots, video recording, and cloud storage integration.

Popular Third-Party Screenshot Tools:

Greenshot: A free and open-source tool with excellent annotation capabilities.
ShareX: A powerful and highly customizable tool with a wide range of features.
Lightshot: A lightweight and easy-to-use tool with simple annotation options.
Snagit: A professional-grade tool with advanced editing and recording features.

Advantages of Third-Party Tools:

Advanced features: Offer a wider range of features compared to built-in tools.
Customization options: Allow you to customize the capture process and output settings.
Integration with other services: Often integrate with cloud storage and other online services.
Scrolling capture: Many tools support capturing scrolling windows, which is useful for capturing entire web pages or long documents.
Superior monitor selection: Many third-party tools offer a more straightforward monitor selection process, allowing you to choose which monitor to capture with a simple click.

Disadvantages of Third-Party Tools:

Cost: Some tools are paid, requiring a subscription or one-time purchase.
Learning curve: Some tools can be complex and require time to learn all the features.
Potential for bloat: Some tools can be resource-intensive and slow down your computer.
Security risks: Downloading software from untrusted sources can pose security risks. Always download from reputable sources.

Troubleshooting Print Screen Issues in Windows 11

Sometimes, the Print Screen key or other screenshot methods might not work as expected. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

Print Screen key not working:
- Restart your computer.
- Check if the Print Screen key is enabled in your BIOS settings.
- Update your keyboard drivers.
- Test the Print Screen key in another application.
Captured image is black:
- Disable hardware acceleration in your graphics card settings.
- Update your graphics card drivers.
- Try using a different screenshot method.
Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch not working:
- Restart your computer.
- Run the Windows Troubleshooter for Apps.
- Reset or reinstall the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch app.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of capturing screenshots is a valuable skill for anyone using Windows 11. While the standard Print Screen key captures all screens in a multi-monitor setup, the methods outlined in this guide provide precise control over which screen is captured. Whether you prefer the simplicity of Alt + Print Screen, the versatility of the Snipping Tool or Snip & Sketch, or the advanced features of third-party applications, you now have the knowledge to effectively print screen one screen in Windows 11.

How do I capture only the active window instead of the entire screen in Windows 11?

To capture only the active window, press the Alt + Print Screen keys simultaneously. This action copies the active window to your clipboard, allowing you to paste it directly into an image editor like Paint, or into a document, email, or other application that supports image pasting. The active window is the window you are currently working in and that is on top of all other open windows.

After pressing Alt + Print Screen, open your desired application and press Ctrl + V (paste) to insert the screenshot. You can then edit, save, or share the image as needed. Remember that this method only captures the contents of the active window, excluding the taskbar and other background elements.

What’s the difference between using Print Screen and Windows Key + Shift + S?

The Print Screen key captures the entire screen and copies it to the clipboard. You then need to paste it into an image editor to save it as a file. Windows Key + Shift + S, on the other hand, directly activates the Snipping Tool, allowing you to select a specific area of the screen to capture, which can then be saved as a file directly or copied to the clipboard.

Essentially, Print Screen is a quick, full-screen capture tool that requires an extra step for saving, while Windows Key + Shift + S provides more granular control over what you capture and offers direct saving capabilities. The Snipping Tool activated by the Windows Key + Shift + S combination also allows capturing freeform shapes and window selections directly, offering more flexibility.

How can I print screen only a portion of my screen in Windows 11?

To capture a portion of your screen, use the shortcut Windows Key + Shift + S. This opens the Snipping Tool overlay. Your screen will dim slightly, and a small menu will appear at the top of your screen offering different snip modes: Rectangular Snip, Freeform Snip, Window Snip, and Fullscreen Snip. Select the Rectangular Snip (the default) to draw a rectangular area around the region you wish to capture.

Once you release the mouse button after drawing the rectangle, the selected area will be copied to your clipboard. You can then paste it into an image editor like Paint or directly into another application. The captured snip will also appear as a notification where you can click on it to open the Snipping Tool app for further editing or saving.

Where is the screenshot saved when I press the Print Screen key?

When you press the Print Screen key, the image is not saved as a file immediately. Instead, it’s copied to your computer’s clipboard, a temporary storage area for data. This means the screenshot exists only in memory until you paste it into an application capable of displaying images.

To save the screenshot as a file, you need to open an image editing program like Paint (included with Windows), Photoshop, or GIMP, and then paste the image from the clipboard by pressing Ctrl + V or using the “Paste” option in the program’s menu. From there, you can save the image in your desired file format, such as JPEG or PNG.

Can I customize the Print Screen key to directly open the Snipping Tool?

Yes, you can customize the Print Screen key to directly open the Snipping Tool in Windows 11. This eliminates the need to use the Windows Key + Shift + S shortcut every time you want to capture a specific area of the screen.

To enable this feature, go to Settings (Windows Key + I), then Accessibility, then Keyboard. Scroll down to the “Print Screen shortcut” section. Toggle the switch labeled “Use the Print Screen key to open screen snipping”. With this setting enabled, pressing the Print Screen key will immediately launch the Snipping Tool overlay, allowing you to select the area of your screen you want to capture.

My Print Screen key isn’t working. What could be the issue?

Several factors could cause your Print Screen key to malfunction. First, ensure that the key itself is not physically damaged or stuck. Try gently pressing and releasing the key to see if it feels different from other keys. Also, check if the key is enabled. As mentioned earlier, it can be configured to launch the Snipping Tool, so verify it’s not unintentionally disabled if you want the default behavior.

Another possible cause is conflicting software. Some programs, particularly those that handle keyboard shortcuts or screen capture, might intercept the Print Screen key’s functionality. Try closing any such applications running in the background. Finally, restarting your computer can often resolve temporary software glitches that might be interfering with the key’s operation.

How can I capture a screenshot and automatically save it as a file in Windows 11?

Windows 11 offers a convenient shortcut for capturing screenshots and automatically saving them as files: Windows Key + Print Screen. Pressing these keys simultaneously captures a screenshot of the entire screen and saves it as a PNG file in the “Screenshots” folder within your “Pictures” library.

This method is ideal for quickly capturing multiple screenshots without having to manually paste and save them individually. The files are automatically named sequentially (e.g., Screenshot (1).png, Screenshot (2).png), making it easy to keep track of them. Be aware that this shortcut captures the entire screen, not just the active window or a selected region.