How to Keep a Window Always on Top in Windows 11

Keep your notes, a video or a calculator in view while you work.

Quick answer: Windows has no always-on-top switch for every app — only some apps, such as Task Manager, have their own. PowerToys Always On Top pins the active window with Win+Ctrl+T. With Window+ from Productivity Plus Pack, press Ctrl+Win+Alt+P to pin a window and Ctrl+Win+Alt+S to make it see-through; it remembers both per app.

Following a tutorial, keeping an eye on a chat, or copying numbers from one window to another — sometimes you need one window to stay in front of everything else.

Window+ from Productivity Plus Pack pins any window on top with a shortcut, lets you make it partly transparent, and remembers both for each app.

Step by step

  1. Click the window. Click the window you want to keep in front.
  2. Pin it. Press Ctrl+Win+Alt+P — or right-click its title bar (or press Alt+Space) and choose Pin.
  3. Make it see-through (optional). Press Ctrl+Win+Alt+S to set the window's opacity.
  4. Unpin. Press Ctrl+Win+Alt+P again. Window+ remembers pin and transparency per app for next time.

Ways to do it

Use what's built into Windows, the tools you already have, or Productivity Plus Pack — they work well together.

Built into some apps

Some apps, such as Task Manager, have their own Always on top option.

With PowerToys

PowerToys Always On Top pins the active window with Win+Ctrl+T.

With Productivity Plus Pack

Window+ adds transparency, remembers your settings per app, and can set rules for specific apps — or exclude them.

Frequently Asked Questions

More about Window+ · Full Window+ guide · More how-to guides

Will it remember my settings next time?

Yes. Window+ remembers pin and transparency settings per application and restores them automatically.

Can I use it alongside PowerToys Always On Top?

Yes. Use whichever you prefer, or turn Window+ off in Settings.

What else can Window+ do?

Show the file a window has open in File Explorer (Ctrl+Win+Alt+E), comment on it, copy its link, and remember a window's position and size.

Try it free with Productivity Plus Pack

Free 30-day trial, no account or credit card needed. Then one payment for every feature — no subscription.