Windows 11 has no built-in button to keep a window always on top of others. The free Microsoft PowerToys utility adds an Always On Top feature with a keyboard shortcut, and some apps, such as Calculator and video players, have their own keep-on-top option. This guide shows how to set up PowerToys, customise it, and use the alternatives when you would rather not install anything.
Quick Answer
Install Microsoft PowerToys, make sure Always On Top is turned on, then click the window you want and press Windows + Ctrl + T. Press the same shortcut again to unpin it.
How to Pin a Window on Top With PowerToys
- Install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store, or with
winget install Microsoft.PowerToysin Terminal. - Open PowerToys, select Always On Top in the left menu and make sure it is enabled.
- Click the window you want to keep visible so it is active.
- Press Windows + Ctrl + T. A coloured border appears around the window to show it is pinned.
- Work in other apps; the pinned window stays above them.
- To unpin, click the window and press the shortcut again, or simply close the window.
Customise Always On Top
Microsoft’s PowerToys settings page for Always On Top lets you tailor how it behaves:
- Activation shortcut: change Windows + Ctrl + T if it clashes with another app.
- Title bar menu: turn on the option to show Always on Top in the window’s title bar right-click menu if you prefer clicking to shortcuts.
- Border: show or hide the highlight, pick the Windows accent colour or a custom one, and adjust opacity, thickness and rounded corners.
- Sound: play a sound when you pin or unpin a window.
- Game Mode: stop the shortcut working while you play games.
- Excluded apps: list apps that should never be pinned.
Full details are on Microsoft’s Always On Top documentation.
Keep-on-Top Options Without PowerToys
| Option | How it works |
|---|---|
| Calculator | In Standard mode, click the Keep on top button next to the mode name for a compact floating calculator. |
| Picture-in-picture | Edge, Chrome and Firefox can pop a playing video into a small floating window that stays on top. |
| App’s own setting | Some media players, sticky-note and chat apps include an always-on-top or mini-player mode; check their View or Settings menu. |
| Snap layouts | Not on top, but hover over the maximise button to place two or more windows side by side so both stay visible. |
Good Uses for a Pinned Window
- Keeping a video call or meeting chat visible while you take notes.
- Following a tutorial video while you work in the app it explains.
- Watching a build, download or monitoring dashboard without switching windows.
- Keeping a reference document or calculator next to a spreadsheet.
Pinning on Top vs. Pinning to the Taskbar
“Pin” means two different things in Windows. Pinning a window on top, as described here, keeps an open window floating above others until you unpin or close it. Pinning an app to the taskbar or Start menu only adds a shortcut so the app is easy to launch; it has no effect on how windows stack. If you were looking for that, see how to pin a website to the taskbar in Windows 11. You can, of course, do both: pin an app to the taskbar for quick launching, then pin its window on top while you need it in view.
Troubleshooting
- Shortcut does nothing: make sure PowerToys is running in the system tray and Always On Top is enabled. Some apps running as administrator can only be pinned if PowerToys is also running as administrator.
- Game will not pin: check whether Do not activate when Game Mode is on is ticked.
- Border is distracting: turn it off or lower its opacity in settings.
- Window still goes behind: full-screen apps and some games draw over everything; switch them to windowed mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PowerToys safe?
Yes. PowerToys is made by Microsoft, is free and open source, and is available in the Microsoft Store.
Can I pin more than one window?
Yes. Press the shortcut on each window you want to pin. Pinned windows stay above unpinned ones.
Does it work on Windows 10?
Yes. PowerToys runs on supported versions of Windows 10 as well as Windows 11, and the shortcut is the same.
Can I pin a video?
Use your browser’s picture-in-picture mode, or pin the whole browser window with PowerToys.
Summary
- Install Microsoft PowerToys.
- Enable Always On Top.
- Click the window and press Windows + Ctrl + T.
- Customise the border, shortcut and exclusions if you like.
- Press the shortcut again to unpin.
For more window tricks, see switching between desktops in Windows 11.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.