How to Pin Any App Above Other Apps in Windows? (Overlay)

Pin Any App Above Other Apps in Windows– Have you ever wished you could always keep a window visible, even when switching between other applications? Whether you’re working with spreadsheets, watching a video, or referencing a chat while browsing, pinning an app on top of others can dramatically boost your productivity. Unfortunately, Windows doesn’t offer a built-in way to do this. But there’s good news: a lightweight tool called DeskPins solves this problem effortlessly. We’ll show you how to pin any app above other apps in Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 using DeskPins. You’ll also learn how the software works, why it’s incredibly useful, and get tips for smarter multitasking.

What Does “Pinning an App” Actually Mean?

To pin an app above others means forcing a window to remain visible on your screen, regardless of what other programs you open. This is often called “Always on Top” functionality. Some applications, like media players or sticky notes, have this built in. But what about all the others that don’t?

That’s where DeskPins comes in.

What is DeskPins?

DeskPins is a free, open-source utility that lets you keep any window on top of all others. Once installed, you can “pin” a window by clicking on it, and it stays in view until you unpin it.

Here are some of DeskPins’ standout features:

• Unlimited Pins: Keep as many apps pinned as you need.
• Intelligent Handling: Works across most types of programs.
• Automatic Pin Rules: Use wildcards to auto-pin specific apps.
• ⚡ Global Hotkeys: Keyboard shortcuts for faster access.
• Lightweight: Minimal memory and CPU usage.

️ How to Download and Install DeskPins

Before we can start pinning windows, let’s walk through how to get DeskPins installed on your system.

Step-by-Step Installation:

1. Visit the official DeskPins website: You can find trusted versions on sites like Softpedia or SourceForge.
2. Download the installer: It’s a small file, typically under 100 KB.
3. Run the installer: Follow the on-screen instructions. Installation usually takes less than a minute.
4. Launch DeskPins: After installing, DeskPins will start running in the background, and an icon will be placed in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen).

How to Pin an App Using DeskPins

Once installed, using DeskPins is incredibly simple. Here’s how to pin any app above others:

Steps to Pin:

1. Click the DeskPins icon in the system tray (you may need to click the arrow to see hidden icons).
2. Right-click the icon and select “Enter Pin Mode.”
3. Your mouse cursor will now turn into a small pin.
4. Click on the window you want to pin.
5. A red pin icon will appear on the window’s title bar, confirming it’s always on top now.

To remove the pin, click the red pin again or close the app.

Real-Life Use Cases for Pinned Windows

Would this actually help? Here are a few practical scenarios where pinning windows is a lifesaver:

• Taking notes while watching tutorials
• Chatting while browsing or working
• Keeping a calculator or calendar always visible
• Watching videos while working
• Referencing a document while writing a report

Once you start pinning windows, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

⚙️ Setting Up Automatic Pinning (Wildcard Rules)

DeskPins offers a wildcard-based auto-pinning feature for power users. This lets you automatically pin windows that match certain criteria.

Example:

If you want every Notepad window to stay on top, you can create a rule for:

Here’s how:

1. Right-click the DeskPins icon and go to Options.
2. Select the “Autopin” tab.
3. Click “Add” and enter your desired rule.
4. Save and restart DeskPins.

This is especially handy for apps you frequently want on top without having to pin each time manually.

⌨️ Using Global Hotkeys for Speed

Tired of clicking through menus? DeskPins supports custom keyboard shortcuts to speed up the process.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Right-click the DeskPins icon.
2. Go to Options > Hotkeys.
3. Enable and customize shortcuts like:
   • Enter Pin Mode: e.g., Ctrl + Shift + P
   • Remove All Pins: e.g., Ctrl + Shift + R

Now, you can pin and unpin apps in a split second.

️ Are DeskPins Safe to Use?

Yes, DeskPins is completely safe and secure. It’s open-source and doesn’t collect any user data. It also uses very few system resources, meaning it won’t slow down your PC, even when using multiple pins.

Just be sure to download from official or trusted sources to avoid bundled bloatware.

Alternatives to DeskPins

While DeskPins is great, here are a few other tools that offer similar “always on top” functionality:

• Always On Top Maker – Basic pinning with keyboard shortcuts.
• TurboTop – Sits in the tray and lets you toggle “always on top” from a menu.
• AutoHotKey Script – Use a script to toggle “always on top” for any window.

However, for ease of use, DeskPins remains the best free solution for most users.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Does DeskPins work on Windows 11?

As of now, DeskPins has not been officially updated for Windows 11. Some users report compatibility, but your results may vary.

Can I pin multiple windows at once?

Absolutely! DeskPins allows unlimited concurrent pins.

Will the pinned app stay on top after a restart?

No. DeskPins does not persist pins across reboots. You’ll need to re-pin Windows after restarting unless you use auto-pin rules.

✅ Pro Tips for Better Multitasking with DeskPins

Here are some productivity hacks to level up your pinning game:

• Use a pinned browser window for live stats while gaming.
• Keep a small chat window open while working on documents.
• Pin your to-do list so it’s always visible throughout the day.
• Combine DeskPins with Split View or Snap Layouts for ultimate control.

Wrap Up

Being able to pin any app above others in Windows 7/8/10/11 is an underrated but powerful feature. Whether you’re managing tasks, watching content, or juggling multiple programs, having key apps visible at all times can supercharge your workflow.

With its simple interface, custom rules, and negligible resource usage, DeskPins is the ultimate solution for adding “Always on Top” functionality to any application, even ones that don’t support it natively.

Try it once, and you’ll never want to go back to switching windows again. DeskPins makes multitasking on Windows smoother, smarter, and stress-free.

Selva Ganesh

Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.