Always on Top in Windows 11: Easy Steps

Keeping a window always on top in Windows 11 lets you pin a specific app—like a calculator, chat window, or video player—above all other windows so it stays visible while you work in other programs. This guide shows you the built-in method (PowerToys) and a quick alternative, with no extra software beyond the free Microsoft utility.

What You’ll Need

• A PC running Windows 11 (any recent version)
• Microsoft PowerToys installed (free, from the Microsoft Store or the official GitHub page)
• Administrator rights to install PowerToys (not required to use it after installation)

Step-by-Step

1. Install PowerToys – Open the Microsoft Store, search for “PowerToys,� and click Install. Alternatively, download the installer from the official Microsoft PowerToys GitHub releases page and run it.
2. Launch PowerToys – After installation, open PowerToys from the Start menu or system tray. It runs in the background; you don’t need to keep the main window open.
3. Enable Always on Top – In the PowerToys Settings window, click Always on Top in the left sidebar. Toggle the switch to On if it isn’t already.
4. Set your shortcut (optional) – The default hotkey is Win + Ctrl + T. You can change it by clicking the edit icon next to “Activation shortcut� and pressing your preferred key combination.
5. Test it – Open any window (e.g., Notepad). Press Win + Ctrl + T. The window gets a thin colored border (default is a blue/green outline) indicating it’s now pinned on top.
6. Move or resize the pinned window – You can drag it around or resize it normally; it will stay above other windows until you toggle it off.
7. Unpin the window – Press the same shortcut again (Win + Ctrl + T) while the window is focused, or click the small “pin� icon that appears in the window’s title bar (if you enabled that option in PowerToys settings).
8. Use the mouse method (optional) – In PowerToys settings, under “Always on Top,� you can enable “Activate by shaking� – then just grab the window’s title bar and shake it to pin/unpin.

Common Mistakes

• Pressing the shortcut without focusing the window – The shortcut applies to the currently active window. If you click another window first, that one gets pinned instead.
• Closing PowerToys – If you exit PowerToys completely, the Always on Top feature stops working. Keep it running in the system tray.
• Using the wrong shortcut – Some keyboards have a “Winâ€� key that can be remapped. Make sure you’re using the correct key combination as shown in PowerToys settings.
• Expecting it to work on the desktop or Start menu – Always on Top only applies to application windows, not the desktop or system UI.
• Forgetting to enable the feature – After installing PowerToys, you must explicitly turn on “Always on Topâ€� in settings; it’s not enabled by default in all versions.

Tips

• Use a different hotkey if Win + Ctrl + T conflicts with other software. Choose something like Ctrl + Alt + Space for easier access.
• Enable the “Show borderâ€� option in PowerToys settings to visually confirm which window is pinned.
• You can pin multiple windows at once – each will stay on top, but they may overlap each other. The most recently pinned one wins.
• If you only need to pin a window temporarily, use the mouse shake method – it’s faster than reaching for the keyboard.
• For full-screen apps (like games), Always on Top may not work because the app forces exclusive fullscreen. Switch the game to “borderless windowedâ€� mode.

Troubleshooting

The shortcut does nothing. First, check that PowerToys is running (look for its icon in the system tray). Then open PowerToys Settings and confirm “Always on Top� is toggled on. If it is, try restarting PowerToys (right-click its tray icon → Exit, then relaunch).

The border appears but the window doesn’t stay on top. Some apps (like older games or fullscreen video players) may override the always-on-top flag. Try switching the app to “windowed� or “borderless� mode. Also, check if the app has its own always-on-top setting that conflicts.

PowerToys won’t install. Make sure you have the latest Windows 11 updates installed. If installing via the Microsoft Store fails, download the .exe from the official GitHub releases and run it as administrator.

The feature works but the border is distracting. Go to PowerToys Settings → Always on Top → “Border color� and change it to a subtler color, or uncheck “Show border� entirely.

After a reboot, the feature stops working. PowerToys may not auto-start. Open PowerToys Settings → General → “Run at startup� and enable it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a built-in Windows 11 feature for always on top?
A: No, Windows 11 does not include a native always-on-top toggle. The official Microsoft PowerToys utility is the recommended way.

Q: Can I use Always on Top with any app?
A: Yes, for most standard desktop apps. Some fullscreen games or UWP apps (like certain Microsoft Store apps) may not respond properly.

Q: Does Always on Top work across multiple monitors?
A: Yes, the pinned window will stay above others on any monitor, as long as the window itself is on that monitor.

Q: Will the pinned window stay on top after I restart my PC?
A: No, the pin is temporary. After a reboot, you’ll need to re-pin the window.

Q: Can I pin a window without using PowerToys?
A: Some apps have their own “always on top� option (e.g., media players, code editors). Otherwise, PowerToys is the most reliable system-wide solution.

Q: Does PowerToys slow down my computer?
A: No, PowerToys is lightweight and runs in the background with minimal resource usage. The Always on Top feature only activates when you press the shortcut.

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