In our fast-paced, tech-based world, efficiency and productivity are paramount. One simple yet powerful way to enhance your workflow is by keeping essential windows always on top. Whether it’s a reference document, a chat window, or a monitoring tool, having it visible at all times can save you valuable clicks and time. In this blog, we’ll guide you through using Microsoft PowerToys to achieve this, and also touch on alternative methods like third-party apps and the built-in options in certain apps.
Why Keep Windows Always on Top?
For remote workers and small business owners, multitasking is often a daily necessity. Having important windows always on top ensures that you can access critical information without constantly switching between applications. This can lead to a more streamlined and less distracting workflow, ultimately boosting productivity.
Using Microsoft PowerToys to Keep Windows Always on Top
Microsoft PowerToys is a free, open-source set of utilities for Windows 10 and Windows 11 that enhances productivity. One of its powerful features is the Always-on-Top PowerToy.
Steps to Use Always-on-Top PowerToy:
Install Microsoft PowerToys:
Download and install Microsoft PowerToys from the official website.
Launch PowerToys:
Open PowerToys from the Start menu or click the PowerToys icon in your taskbar’s notification area.
Activate Always-on-Top:
Press Windows+Ctrl+T to make the current window always on top.
A blue border will appear around the window, and a sound will play to confirm the action.
Press Windows+Ctrl+T again to undo this and return the window to normal behavior.
Customize Settings:
Open the PowerToys Settings window by selecting the gear-shaped icon in the PowerToys interface.
Navigate to “Always on Top” in the sidebar.
Ensure the “Always on Top” PowerToy is enabled.
Customize options such as changing the keyboard shortcut, toggling the colored border, enabling/disabling sound notifications, and excluding specific windows from being made always on top.
You can easily unpin a window by using the activation shortcut again or simply closing the window.
Alternative Methods to Keep Windows Always on Top
While PowerToys is a fantastic tool, there are other methods you can use to achieve the same result. Here are a few alternatives:
DeskPins
DeskPins is an open-source program that allows you to pin any window on top of others.
How to Use DeskPins:
Download and install DeskPins.
Open DeskPins and click on the pin icon in the system tray.
Click on the window you want to keep on top.
DisplayFusion
DisplayFusion is a powerful software designed to enhance your multi-monitor experience, but it also includes features to keep windows always on top.
How to Use DisplayFusion:
Download and install DisplayFusion.
Open DisplayFusion and go to the Settings.
Navigate to the Functions tab.
Find and enable the “Always on Top” function.
You can set a custom keyboard shortcut to easily toggle the Always-on-Top feature for any window.
Built-In Options in Specific Apps
Some applications have built-in options to keep their windows always on top. Here are a couple of examples:
Task Manager (Windows 10 and 11):
Windows 10:
Open Task Manager.
Click Options > Always on Top.
If the Options menu is missing, click “More details” at the bottom of the window.
Windows 11:
Open Task Manager.
Go to Settings in the Task Manager’s menu.
Check Always on top under Window management.
VLC Media Player:
Open VLC.
Go to View in the menu bar.
Select Always on Top.
Process Explorer:
Open Process Explorer.
Go to Options in the menu bar.
Select Always on Top.
It’s always worth looking into the settings for any app you’d like to keep on top—it could have capability!
Conclusion
Keeping your essential windows always on top can be a game-changer for productivity, especially for remote workers and business owners who have several tasks to juggle in a day. Microsoft PowerToys provides an easy and customizable way to do this, but there are many alternatives available. By incorporating these tools into your workflow, you can ensure that important information is always within reach, helping you stay focused and efficient. Give these methods a try and see how they can enhance your productivity today!
For more tech tips and best practices, follow GeorgiaMSP! Managing technology, empowering success—we’re your managed service provider.
Master Multitasking with Microsoft PowerToys’ Always on Top Feature
In our fast-paced, tech-based world, efficiency and productivity are paramount. One simple yet powerful way to enhance your workflow is by keeping essential windows always on top. Whether it’s a reference document, a chat window, or a monitoring tool, having it visible at all times can save you valuable clicks and time. In this blog, we’ll guide you through using Microsoft PowerToys to achieve this, and also touch on alternative methods like third-party apps and the built-in options in certain apps.
Why Keep Windows Always on Top?
For remote workers and small business owners, multitasking is often a daily necessity. Having important windows always on top ensures that you can access critical information without constantly switching between applications. This can lead to a more streamlined and less distracting workflow, ultimately boosting productivity.
Using Microsoft PowerToys to Keep Windows Always on Top
Microsoft PowerToys is a free, open-source set of utilities for Windows 10 and Windows 11 that enhances productivity. One of its powerful features is the Always-on-Top PowerToy.
Steps to Use Always-on-Top PowerToy:
Windows+Ctrl+Tto make the current window always on top.Windows+Ctrl+Tagain to undo this and return the window to normal behavior.You can easily unpin a window by using the activation shortcut again or simply closing the window.
Alternative Methods to Keep Windows Always on Top
While PowerToys is a fantastic tool, there are other methods you can use to achieve the same result. Here are a few alternatives:
DeskPins
DeskPins is an open-source program that allows you to pin any window on top of others.
DisplayFusion
DisplayFusion is a powerful software designed to enhance your multi-monitor experience, but it also includes features to keep windows always on top.
Built-In Options in Specific Apps
Some applications have built-in options to keep their windows always on top. Here are a couple of examples:
Options > Always on Top.Settingsin the Task Manager’s menu.Always on topunder Window management.Viewin the menu bar.Always on Top.Optionsin the menu bar.Always on Top.It’s always worth looking into the settings for any app you’d like to keep on top—it could have capability!
Conclusion
Keeping your essential windows always on top can be a game-changer for productivity, especially for remote workers and business owners who have several tasks to juggle in a day. Microsoft PowerToys provides an easy and customizable way to do this, but there are many alternatives available. By incorporating these tools into your workflow, you can ensure that important information is always within reach, helping you stay focused and efficient. Give these methods a try and see how they can enhance your productivity today!
For more tech tips and best practices, follow GeorgiaMSP! Managing technology, empowering success—we’re your managed service provider.
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