How can I keep a window always on top in Windows 11?

Windows
1

I often need to multitask on my computer and sometimes I need one particular window to stay on top of others. I’m using Windows 11 and can’t seem to figure out how to pin a window so it remains on top. Any advice or step-by-step instructions would be really helpful. Thanks!

2

If you’re hoping to find a built-in feature in Windows 11 to pin windows on top, don’t bother looking cuz Microsoft didn’t include it. Classic. Maybe they’ll add it in an update, but who knows.

Your best bet is using third-party software. ‘Always on Top’ is one option. It’s free and pretty straightforward - nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. Downsides? Another app taking up space and potentially conflicting with other programs. What else is new, right?

There are other options. ‘DeskPins’ and ‘AutoHotkey’ can do similar things. DeskPins is particularly easy to use but it’s pretty dated. AutoHotkey gives you more control if you’re into scripting, which most people are not.

Bottom line, be prepared to rely on third-party solutions, 'cause Microsoft ain’t making life easier anytime soon.

3

You’re absolutely correct about the lack of a built-in feature in Windows 11 to keep windows always on top, which is honestly pretty inconvenient for multitaskers. I get frustrated about that too! Anyway, let’s dive deeper into some other options you might consider.

First off, another solid third-party app you might not have tried yet is PowerToys from Microsoft. Yeah, sounds crazy, right? Microsoft doesn’t include the feature natively in Windows 11, but their own separate tool does it! PowerToys has a module called Awake, which can help keep your computer awake, and combined with FancyZones, you can set up your windows in a way that’s similar to staying always on top. It’s not a direct solution but might work for your needs, and it’s relatively lightweight.

Now for something that’s more straightforward, if you’re wary of third-party apps due to potential conflicts and space issues, you can try TurboTop. It’s a tiny utility that runs in the system tray. It simply lets you click to pin a window on top. The upside is minimal resource usage, but the downside is it’s a bit limited and old-school in its functionality.

Another alternative could be WinSize2, which apart from letting you pin windows, it also helps you maintain the size and position of the windows. It’s a bit more involved in terms of setup compared to DeskPins, but you gain more control. If you’re someone who often arranges multiple windows in specific layouts, this might save you a lot of time in the long run.

If you’re a bit familiar with scripting or don’t mind a small learning curve, AutoHotKey is indeed a powerful tool. I know @techchizkid mentioned it already, but I’ll expand on it a bit. Here’s how you can create a simple script to make windows always on top:

  1. Download and install AutoHotkey.

  2. Create a new script by right-clicking in a folder and going to New > AutoHotkey Script.

  3. Open the script and paste the following code:

    ^SPACE::  ; Ctrl+Space hotkey
    Winset, Alwaysontop, , A
return

  4. Save the script and double-click to run it. Now, whenever you press Ctrl + Space, the active window will stay on top.

For command-line users, there are command-line tools like NirCmd from NirSoft. It’s a small command-line utility that allows you to do some useful tasks, including making windows stay on top without much fuss:

  1. Download and uncompress NirCmd.

  2. Open the command prompt.

  3. Navigate to the directory where NirCmd is located.

  4. Use the following command whenever you need it:

    nircmd win settopmost title "Window_Title" 1

    Replace "Window_Title" with the title of the window you want to keep on top. This is great if you’re comfortable with the command line and want a quick solution without extra UI clutter.

In the world of multitasking, you might often deal with various types of windows and tools. Therefore, another program worth mentioning is Actual Window Manager. It’s more than just keeping windows on top; it provides a comprehensive suite to manage windows, including features like virtual desktops, transparency, minimizing to tray, and more. It’s not free though, which is a downside, but considering the broad range of functionalities it offers, it might be worth the investment if you find yourself working with multiple windows regularly.

While waiting for Microsoft to potentially—if ever—integrate this feature into Windows 11, trying out these tools and seeing what fits your workflow best is the way to go. Each tool has its quirks and strengths, so you might need to experiment a bit. Remember, keeping things lightweight and low on resources is essential if you’re running other intensive applications.

So, despite the third-party hiccup, there’s enough variety of solutions to meet your needs for keeping that crucial window always on top. Happy multitasking!

4

@byteguru, @techchizkid, great points! You’ve really covered a lot of ground with those third-party solutions. But I can’t help but wonder if adding more software to the mix is always the best approach. Too many background apps can bog down performance or create conflicts.

An alternative angle for those wary of third-party options (and trust me, there are folks who are) is relying on some built-in workarounds. Think about using the Virtual Desktops feature in Windows 11. You can create multiple desktops for separating different tasks. It’s not pinning, but it helps keep things organized:

  1. Press Win + Tab to open Task View.
  2. Click on New Desktop.
  3. Drag the window you want to a separate desktop. You can switch back and forth as needed.

Also, another trick is using Snap Layouts, which comes handy with multitasking. Dock the important window to a specific area on your screen, and utilize the other areas for your secondary tasks. Sure, it doesn’t keep the window on top but it makes it easily accessible without added software.

For something close to built-in without the bloatware, Windows has some integrated command line tools—not everyone’s cup of tea, but PowerShell scripts can be pretty efficient. PowerShell isn’t just for sysadmins. Here’s a dabble into keeping a window on top using PowerShell + AutoHotKey:

  1. Set up AutoHotKey with a minimal script.
  2. Schedule a PowerShell job to keep checking if the window is active and reapply the AlwaysOnTop status.

For those willing to wade into custom scripting but still prefer Microsoft’s ecosystem, Power Automate for Desktop might also be a neat trick. It allows creating custom automation for repetitive tasks but needs a bit of learning.

Hyper-efficient workers or gamers, anyone using gaming overlays? Some gaming software like NVIDIA’s GeForce Experience has overlay systems that can keep chat windows on top during gameplay. Adapt that concept by running a game overlay with the pinned window as the target—creative but hey, it might just work.

Before diving headfirst into AutoHotkey or DeskPins, consider tweaking existing tools to fit your needs. Why pile on another third-party app when you can stretch what you’ve got? Let’s see if anyone can come up with even zanier ideas or perhaps someone from the tech dev community can patch this feature into Windows—fingers crossed!

Bottom line: While third-party tools seem to be the go-to, exhausting current system capabilities and thinking outside traditional frameworks might spare you some long-term hassle. Keep it lean and clean!