- Microsoft PowerToys offers the Always on Top feature to pin windows using the Win+Ctrl+T shortcut.
- The software allows you to customize the visual border, activation sounds, and exclude specific applications.
- There are alternatives such as DeskPins, AutoHotkey, and native PiP features in browsers or the Task Manager.
Have you ever been working flat out with several applications open, and just when you need to check something in one window, it hides behind the rest? It's incredibly annoying, especially if you only have one monitor and have to switch between windows every two seconds. Believe it or not, Windows doesn't have a built-in option to "pin" an application to the front, which can really hinder your daily productivity.
Fortunately, there are very reliable solutions to this problem. The most recommended option is undoubtedly Microsoft PowerToys , a free and open-source suite of tools that transforms the user experience in Windows 10 and 11. In this article, we'll tell you in detail how to use its Always On Top feature and what other alternatives you have if you're looking for something different or lighter.
All about Always on Top by PowerToys
This tool is essentially a system utility that allows you to pin any window to the top of all others. It's ideal for those who need to monitor system resources in real time or have a guide open while working on another document. When activated, the selected window remains fixed in the foreground, even if you click on other applications.
How to get it up and running step by step
To start using it, the first thing you need is the software. You can download PowerToys from its official repository on GitHub or install it directly from the Microsoft Store . Once installed, open the settings panel and look for the section called "Always on top" (this is what it appears as if your system is in Spanish) and make sure the switch is turned on.
To pin a window, the process is very simple: open the application you want, make it the active window, and press the Windows + Ctrl + T key combination . You'll know it's worked because a colored border will appear around the window. If you want it to behave like a normal window again, just press the same shortcut again or close the application.
Customized settings to suit your taste
PowerToys goes beyond the basics, allowing you to customize the experience to your liking. In the settings menu, you can change the keyboard shortcut if the default is inconvenient. You can also play with the border's appearance: choose between the default Windows color or a custom one , adjust the thickness in pixels, the opacity, and decide whether you want rounded corners.
Other interesting options include the ability to play a sound when docking or undocking a window, and the option to add the function directly to the title bar's context menu . Additionally, there's a list of excluded applications ; adding a program's name (for example, "Notepad") will prevent it from docking, thus avoiding errors in specific applications.
Compatibility Considerations
It's important to know that Always on Top isn't foolproof. Some programs have very high window priority and could end up in front of your pinned window. Common examples include Citrix, VMware, and Remote Desktop (RDP) , which can ignore PowerToys' command and remain in the foreground.
What else does the PowerToys suite offer?
Installing this package isn't just about pinning windows; it's like having a Swiss Army knife for Windows . Among its gems are FancyZones for advanced window organization (ideal for ultrawide monitors), the Color Picker for designers, and PowerRename for renaming files in bulk. It also includes tools like PowerToys Run , a quick launcher very similar to macOS's Spotlight, and Text Extractor , which lets you extract text from any image on the screen.
Alternatives for fixing windows
If for some reason you can't or don't want to install PowerToys, there are other options. For the more technically inclined, AutoHotkey It's a powerful option. It allows you to create a custom script (using the code). ^space::{WinSetAlwaysOnTop -1, "A"}) so that, when you press Ctrl + Space, the window remains fixed.
Another very lightweight alternative is DeskPins . It's an older but effective open-source software that takes up very little space. It works using a system of visual "pins" : you click on the icon in the taskbar and then "pin" the window you want to keep visible.
Native features in specific apps
Although Windows doesn't offer this feature by default, some applications do. Task Manager , for example, allows you to enable "Always on top" from its settings menu. Similarly, VLC media player lets you pin the video from the Video tab. Even browsers like Firefox and Edge offer Picture-in-Picture (PiP) mode , which creates a floating window with the video that you can move and resize while browsing other tabs.
We have several ways to prevent our applications from disappearing, from the robust Microsoft PowerToys solution with its Win+Ctrl+T shortcut, to AutoHotkey scripts or minimalist tools like DeskPins, to taking advantage of the options of programs like VLC or the PiP mode of modern browsers.