To capture every connected monitor at once on Windows, press Print Screen (or Ctrl+Print Screen). Windows treats your monitors as one virtual screen and copies that combined image. On macOS, use the Screenshot controls to capture an entire display, a window, or a selected area; macOS does not offer one universal shortcut that always joins independently arranged displays into a single image.
The right method depends on whether you need the whole desktop, one monitor, one application, or a precisely selected region—and whether the result should go to the clipboard or a file.
First choose what “across multiple screens” means
Multi-monitor screenshots are easy to get wrong because “full screen” can mean different things. Decide the scope before pressing a shortcut:
- Entire virtual desktop: every connected display, including the space between monitors in your desktop arrangement.
- One physical monitor: only the display you want to document.
- One window: the foreground application, even if it does not fill a monitor.
- A region: a rectangle or freeform area that may cross a monitor boundary.
Also decide whether you need a copy for immediate pasting or a saved image for sharing, editing, or archiving. Built-in tools are usually fastest for a one-off capture; dedicated capture software becomes useful when you need repeatable monitor-specific captures or extensive annotation.
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- Compatible with Wide Screens - To ensure compatibility with the dual monitor mount, your each monitor must meet three conditions at the same time: First, computer screens size range: 13 to 32 inches. Second, screen weight range: 4.4 to 19.8 lbs. Third, the back of the monitor screen must have VESA mounting holes with a pitch of 75x75mm or 100x100mm.
- Regarding the compatibility with desks - Your desk must meet three conditions at the same time: First, desk material: Only wooden desks are recommended, plastic or glass desks cannot be used. Second, desk thickness range: 0.59" - 3.54". Third, the bottom of the desk should not have any cross beams or panels, as this will interfere with installation. We recommend carefully checking that your desk and monitors meets all above conditions before purchasing.
- Dual C-Clamp Hold - Worried your dual monitors might wobble or slip? Our upgraded base uses a larger platform plus a dual C-clamp structure to lock the dual monitor arm firmly to your desk. Each arm safely keeps your screens steady while you type, click and game—no shaking, no sliding, just a clean and secure setup you can trust every day. It also provides Grommet Mounting installation choice, both options ensure stable and secure fixation for your 0.59" - 3.54" desk.
- Full-Motion Adjustment For Comfortable View - Pull the screen closer when you’re deep in a spreadsheet, push it back to watch videos, or rotate to portrait for coding — moving everything smoothly with just one hand. The monitor stand offers +85°/-50° tilt, ±90° swivel and 360° rotation. Raise your monitor up to 15.75″ to support a healthy sitting posture. Whether you’re working from home, gaming through the night, or switching between video calls and documents, getting the screens to your natural line of sight helps relieve neck, shoulder and back strain so you can stay focused longer with less fatigue.
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Windows: capture all connected monitors in one image
Use Print Screen for the entire virtual screen
- Arrange the monitors in Settings > System > Display so their on-screen positions match your physical desk.
- Press Print Screen. On some keyboards the key is labeled PrtScn, PrtSc, or requires Fn.
- Windows copies a snapshot of the entire virtual screen to the clipboard. Open Paint, Photos, an email, or another editor and press Ctrl+V.
- Save the pasted image in the application’s normal image format.
Ctrl+Print Screen also captures the entire virtual screen. The result includes the combined coordinate space of all displays, so a monitor positioned above or to the left appears in that corresponding location in the image. Displays with different resolutions or scaling can therefore produce an image with uneven edges or blank-looking areas where no monitor exists.
Save a full-screen capture automatically
On Windows configurations that support it, press Windows+Print Screen. The screen briefly dims and Windows saves the capture in Pictures > Screenshots. If that shortcut does not save a file on your keyboard or Windows edition, use Print Screen, paste into Paint, and save manually.
Capture only the active window
Click the application you want, then press Alt+Print Screen. Windows copies the foreground window rather than the entire multi-monitor desktop. Paste it into an editor and save it. This is the cleanest choice for documenting one dialog or application without revealing other screens.
Windows Snipping Tool: select a monitor, region, or window
Press Windows+Shift+S to open the Snipping Tool overlay. Choose a mode from the toolbar:
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- Fits 13" to 30" Screens - Dual monitor mount fitting two screens 13” to 30” in size and up to 22 lbs in weight each with VESA 75x75mm or 100x100mm backside mounting holes. Cable management clips are provided along the arms and center pole.
- Articulation & Height Adjustment - Adjustable arm offers +90° to -90° tilt, 180° swivel, 360° rotation, and height adjustment along the center pole. Monitors can be placed in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Heavy Duty C-Clamp - Mounts to the back of your desk (up to 3.25” thick) via a heavy-duty C-clamp or optional grommet mount.
- Easy Installation - Mounting your monitors is a simple process with detachable VESA bracket plates. We provide the hardware and easy-to-follow instructions for assembly.
- We've Got You Covered - Sturdy steel design is backed with a 3 Year Manufacturer Warranty and friendly tech support to help with any questions or concerns.
- Rectangle: drag a box around one monitor or drag across the boundary to include parts of several monitors.
- Freeform: draw an irregular outline.
- Window: select a visible application window.
- Full screen: capture the available screen area according to the tool and Windows version.
After the snip, select the notification to open it in Snipping Tool. From there you can annotate, crop, copy with Ctrl+C, or save with Ctrl+S. For a repeatable “one monitor only” workflow, use Rectangle mode and drag from the monitor’s top-left corner to its bottom-right corner. Turn on display identification in Settings > System > Display if you need to confirm which physical screen is which.
Windows edge cases and fixes
The image contains only one monitor
You probably used a window capture, a monitor-specific utility, or a selection that ended at the display boundary. Use plain Print Screen for the virtual desktop, or drag a Snipping Tool rectangle across both displays.
The capture is unexpectedly wide, offset, or includes empty space
Windows captures the virtual coordinate space, not a neatly trimmed collage. Reopen Settings > System > Display and align the monitor rectangles. Different scaling percentages and resolutions can also create offsets. Crop the saved image if the empty coordinate area is not useful.
Print Screen opens Snipping Tool instead of copying immediately
Recent Windows versions can assign the Print Screen key to Snipping Tool. Use the resulting overlay for a full-screen or rectangle capture, or change the keyboard setting under Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard if you specifically need the legacy clipboard behavior.
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- Computer Compatibility - To ensure compatibility of the dual monitor mount, each of your monitors must meet three conditions: Firstly, screen size range: 13 to 32 inches. Secondly, screen weight limit: 17.6lbs. Thirdly, there must be VESA mounting holes on the back of the monitor screen that are spaced 75x75 mm or 100x100 mm apart. Please make sure that your monitor meets all of the above conditions before purchasing, if you are still unsure, you can seek help from customer service.
- Two Installation Options - With a detailed instruction manual and labeled hardware, the ErGear monitor mount is a breeze to set up. For the sake of using experience, please check if your table meets the following three conditions: Material first, we only recommend wooden table. Secondly, The bottom of the table should preferably be free of any beams or panels that may interfere with installation. Table thickness thirdly,'C' clamp fits 0.39"-3" while grommet mount fits 0.39"-2.36".
- Versatile Compatibility - With a 31.22“ wide arm span and 16” high bar, this dual monitor arm accommodates two 32” monitors, providing a very large amount of adjustability for your work use and allowing you to enjoy an immersive viewing experience.
- Flexible Screen Positioning - Experience ultimate flexibility with our dual monitor stand that features +/-90° swivel, +/-45° tilt, and 360° rotation. Easily adjust monitor angle for ergonomic viewing to avoid neck and eye strain. Achieve optimal comfort with customizable screen positioning, perfect for your office desk, gaming setup, or multitasking workspace.
- Free Up Desk Space - Elevate your monitors closer to eye level with our dual monitor desk mount, freeing up valuable desk space for laptops, keyboards, speakers, or other devices. Integrated cable management clips allow you to route cables for a clean look that maximizes efficiency and focus.
A protected application appears black
Some applications restrict screenshots for security or content-protection reasons. Try capturing an ordinary desktop window to verify that the shortcut works; do not attempt to bypass an application’s protection.
macOS: capture a display, window, or selected area
Apple’s Screenshot system can capture the entire screen, a window, or a selected portion. The exact result depends on which display and mode you choose.
Open the Screenshot controls
- Press Shift+Command+5 to open the Screenshot toolbar.
- Choose Capture Entire Screen, Capture Selected Window, or Capture Selected Portion.
- Use Options to choose a save location, show or hide the pointer, include a timer, and select whether to save to the desktop, clipboard, or another destination.
- Click Capture.
For a full-screen capture without the toolbar, press Shift+Command+3. For a selected rectangle, press Shift+Command+4, then drag. A selection can be drawn over content spanning a monitor boundary when the displays form one continuous desktop.
Capture one monitor on a Mac
Move the pointer to the display you want and use Shift+Command+3, or choose Capture Entire Screen in the toolbar and select the desired display when macOS presents the choice. If you need exact boundaries, use Capture Selected Portion and drag over that display.
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- Fits 13" to 32" Screens: Compatible with computer monitors up to 13” to 32” in size and weighing up to 22 lbs each with 75x75mm or 100x100mm backside mounting holes --Patented--
- Strong and Balanced Tempered Glass Base: Provides extra support and increases stability for dual-screen setups. The rectangular glass base measures 15.2” x 10.2" and features bottom-side padding. The pole and arms are made of steel
- Flexible Screen Positioning: Adjustable arms offer +90° to -90° tilt, 360° swivel, 360° rotation, and height adjustment along the center pole. Monitors can be placed in portrait or landscape positions
- Removable VESA Plates: Create a simple screen mounting process. We include easy-to-follow instructions and hardware for quick assembly
- Best Practices: Please do not pull monitors too far forward or backward unless the stand is bolted down, as this will cause stability issues
Capture one application window
Press Shift+Command+4, press the space bar to switch to window capture, then click the window. You can also use Capture Selected Window in the Screenshot toolbar. Some applications—including Apple TV—may not permit window screenshots, so a black or unavailable result can be an application restriction rather than a shortcut failure.
macOS multi-display troubleshooting
The monitors are saved as separate images
macOS may produce one file per display when you use an entire-screen capture. If you need a single composite, use Shift+Command+4 and drag a rectangle across the combined desktop, then save that selection. For a polished composite with labels or callouts, combine the files in Preview, Keynote, or an image editor.
Only the display with the menu bar is captured
Check whether you selected a window or a single-display target in the toolbar. Use the selected-portion mode for a cross-display rectangle, and verify that the monitors are configured as an extended desktop rather than mirrored under System Settings > Displays.
The pointer or a timer is wrong for the workflow
Open Shift+Command+5, select Options, and change Show Mouse Pointer, Show Floating Thumbnail, or Timer. Choose Clipboard when the next step is pasting into another application instead of creating a file.
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- Fits 13" to 27" Screens: Freestanding dual monitor mount holds two screens 13” to 27” and up to 22 lbs with 75x75mm or 100x100mm backside mounting holes. Keep power and AV cables clean and organized with detachable cable clips on the arms and center pole
- Full Articulation: Adjustable mount offers +90° to -90° tilt, 180° swivel, 360° rotation, and height adjustment along the center pole for convenient, customizable viewing angles
- Heavy Duty Extra Large Base: Measures 13" x 10.5" providing solid stability while monitors are held within its center of gravity. The bottom of the base features padding to protect your desk from scratches
- Easy Installation with Detachable VESA Plate: Mounting your monitors is a simple process with detachable VESA bracket plates. We provide the hardware and easy-to-follow instructions for assembly
- Best Practices: Please do not pull monitors too far forward or backward unless the stand is bolted down, as this will cause stability issues. Additionallly, please check to make sure the base size fits your available desk space
When dedicated screen-capture software is worthwhile
Use a dedicated desktop tool when you regularly need monitor-specific captures, scrolling or timed captures, arrows and callouts, pixel-level redaction, or a consistent naming and export process. TechSmith’s Snagit documentation notes that full-screen capture on multi-monitor systems can capture both monitors. Check the software’s current documentation for its supported operating-system versions and licensing before deployment.
Performance, privacy, and reliability checklist
- Close confidential windows and hide notifications before a full-desktop capture.
- Confirm display arrangement and scaling before documenting a layout bug.
- Use a lossless format such as PNG for text and interface screenshots; use JPEG when file size matters more than crisp text.
- For clipboard captures, paste immediately into an editor so a later copy operation does not replace the image.
- For a large cross-display image, check its pixel dimensions before sending it; email and issue trackers may resize it.
- Capture after animations, video, or remote-desktop rendering has settled. A timer can make repeatable captures easier.
- Record whether displays were mirrored or extended. A mirrored setup cannot show two different screens in one meaningful image.
Or skip the browser setup
If what you actually need is a screenshot of a website across a chosen viewport—not a photograph of your physical monitors—ScreenshotNeo returns a clean image or PDF from one request. It is a website screenshot API and MCP server, so it complements the desktop methods above rather than replacing them.
cURL:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webp
Python:
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}`);
See the complete option list and response details in the ScreenshotNeo documentation. Before capture, it can accept cookie or consent banners and remove more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each step can be disabled. Bot checks, CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads, and cache hits are not billed as clean shots, 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.
You can set full-page capture with lazy images, CSS-selector element capture, dark mode, device presets or custom viewports, retina scale, PDF paper and page settings, custom CSS and JavaScript, clicks, waits, blocked requests, headers, cookies, user agents, authorization, timezone, geolocation, transparent backgrounds, resizing, chosen cache TTLs, signed image links, asynchronous webhooks, bulk capture of up to 100 URLs per call, usage reporting, and an OpenAPI specification. Every feature is on every plan: 1,000 shots a month are free with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Create a free ScreenshotNeo account.
Quick decision guide
| Need | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Every connected display | Print Screen or Ctrl+Print Screen | Use Screenshot controls; for one composite, drag a cross-display selection |
| One application | Alt+Print Screen | Shift+Command+4, space, click the window |
| One monitor or custom area | Windows+Shift+S, Rectangle mode | Shift+Command+4 or Selected Portion |
| Clipboard-first workflow | Print Screen, then paste | Screenshot Options > Clipboard |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I capture two monitors with different resolutions on Windows?
Yes. Print Screen captures the virtual desktop, but the combined image follows each display’s position, resolution, and scaling, so it may contain uneven edges or unused coordinate space.
Does a Mac always make one file containing every display?
No. An entire-screen capture can produce separate display images. Use Selected Portion to drag one rectangle across an extended desktop when you need a single composite.
What is the fastest way to capture only part of both monitors?
On Windows press Windows+Shift+S and choose Rectangle. On macOS press Shift+Command+4 and drag across the required area.
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