Sticky Notes is handy for quick reminders, but by default a note disappears behind other windows as soon as you click on something else. If you want a note to stay visible while you work, you have a few options on Windows 10 and 11: the new Sticky Notes app’s pin feature, Microsoft PowerToys’ Always On Top shortcut, or simply docking notes in a spot where they won’t be covered. This guide covers each method and how to keep notes open when you restart.
Quick Answer
Install Microsoft PowerToys, turn on Always On Top, click your sticky note, and press Windows key + Ctrl + T. The note stays above all other windows until you press the shortcut again. If you use the newer Sticky Notes experience from OneNote, you can also pin or dock notes from within the app.
Method 1: PowerToys Always On Top (Works With Any Sticky Notes Version)
- Install Microsoft PowerToys free from the Microsoft Store or from Microsoft’s GitHub page.
- Open PowerToys, click Always On Top, and make sure it’s turned on.
- Open Sticky Notes and click the note you want to keep visible.
- Press Windows key + Ctrl + T. A colored border appears around the note.
- To release it, click the note and press the same shortcut again.
You can change the shortcut and border color in PowerToys settings. This works for any window, not just Sticky Notes.
Method 2: Pin or Dock in the New Sticky Notes App
Microsoft has released a newer Sticky Notes experience that’s part of OneNote for Windows. According to Microsoft, it lets you dock notes to the side of the screen and pin notes so they stay on top of other windows, and you can open it quickly with Windows key + Alt + S.
- Update or install OneNote (Microsoft 365) and open the new Sticky Notes (Windows key + Alt + S, or the Sticky Notes button in OneNote).
- Open a note and look for the pin or dock to desktop option in the note’s menu or title bar.
Options vary by version and may not be available in the classic Sticky Notes app.
Method 3: Arrange Notes Where They Won’t Be Covered
- Drag notes to a screen edge or a second monitor where your apps don’t overlap them.
- Resize your main app window slightly smaller (or snap it with Windows key + Left arrow) to leave a column free for notes.
- Press Windows key + D to show the desktop briefly, then click a note to bring it forward.
Keep Notes Open After Restarting
- Leave your notes open (don’t close individual notes) when you shut down.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Startup and turn on Sticky Notes (Windows 11), or add it to startup from Task Manager’s Startup tab.
- In Windows 11, turn on Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Automatically save my restartable apps to reopen them after restarting.
Other Sticky Notes Tips
- Sign in with a Microsoft account to sync notes to your phone (OneNote app) and the web.
- Right-click the Sticky Notes taskbar icon to open the notes list and see all notes.
- Use Ctrl + N for a new note and Ctrl + D to delete one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the classic Sticky Notes app have an “always on top” setting?
No. Use PowerToys Always On Top instead.
Can I put sticky notes on the desktop wallpaper permanently?
Not with Sticky Notes. Widgets or third-party desktop note apps can place notes on the desktop behind windows.
Will notes stay on top in full-screen apps?
Full-screen games and videos usually cover all other windows, including pinned notes.
Summary
- Install PowerToys and turn on Always On Top.
- Click the note and press Windows + Ctrl + T.
- Or use the pin/dock options in the new Sticky Notes app.
- Add Sticky Notes to startup to keep notes after restarting.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.