An “Always on Top” switch allows you to pin any application window so it remains fully visible in the foreground, even when you click on other background programs. Because major operating systems rarely include a native, system-wide toggle for this, users rely on specific tools like Microsoft PowerToys for Windows or dedicated third-party software like AlwaysOnTop on GitHub for macOS. 💻 How to Do It on Windows (Using PowerToys)
Microsoft provides a free, open-source suite of system tools called Microsoft PowerToys which includes a built-in “Always On Top” switch.
Installation: Download Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or the official Microsoft website.
Activation: Open the PowerToys app, click Always on Top in the sidebar, and toggle the switch to Enable.
The Switch Shortcut: Click on any window you want to lock and press Windows Key + Ctrl + T simultaneously.
Visual Cue: The active window will instantly lock to the foreground and display a distinct, colored tracking border (usually blue) to confirm it is pinned.
How to Turn it Off: Select the pinned window and press Windows Key + Ctrl + T a second time to return it to normal. 🍎 How to Do It on macOS (Using AlwaysOnTop)
Apple prioritizes a clean window layout and does not offer a universal checkbox to pin regular app windows. However, you can use the open-source utility AlwaysOnTop by itsabhishekolkha on GitHub to add this behavior.
Installation: Download the application from the open-source AlwaysOnTop GitHub Repository.
Permissions: Because it manages operating system windows, you must go to System Preferences > Privacy & Security > Accessibility and check the box to grant the application permission.
The Switch Shortcut: Launch the app (a pin icon will appear in your menu bar). Press Ctrl + Z (or Ctrl + A) to open a popup overlay displaying all of your running applications.
Pinning: Click on the app you want to keep visible from the list. It will now stay float above everything else.
How to Turn it Off: Press Ctrl + Z again on the pinned application to release it. ⚙️ Useful Customizations
Both utilities allow you to tailor how the switch behaves through their respective preference menus: