How to Keep Task Manager Always On Top in Windows

Task Manager is a built-in system utility in Windows operating system that helps users to monitor the running processes and stop or start the programs as per their requirement. It’s an essential tool that most of us use while working on our computers. However, sometimes we need to keep the Task Manager always on top of other windows for quick access. Unfortunately, Windows does not have a simple setting to make Task Manager always on top. But don’t worry, there is an easy way to do it.

In this article, we will discuss some simple steps that will help you to make Task Manager always on top of other windows. We will cover several methods that you can use to accomplish this task on your Windows PC. Our guide will take you through the process step-by-step, making sure you understand every aspect of making Task Manager always visible.

Section: Methods to Make Task Manager Always on Top

There are several methods that you can use to make Task Manager always on top, whether you’re using Windows 10 or an older version of the operating system. Here are ten different methods that you can use to accomplish this task:

Method 1: Use Task Manager’s “Always on Top” Option

This is perhaps the easiest and most straightforward method of making Task Manager always on top. To do this, simply open Task Manager and then right-click on the application’s title bar. You should see an option that says “Always on top”. Click on this option to activate it, and Task Manager will always remain on the top of all other windows.

Method 2: Use a Keyboard Shortcut

Did you know that you can create a keyboard shortcut to make Task Manager always on top? This is a quick and easy way to make sure that Task Manager is always within reach when you need it. To create the shortcut, simply right-click on the Task Manager icon in your taskbar, click on “Properties”, and then specify a keyboard shortcut in the “Shortcut key” field.

Method 3: Use a Third-Party Program

If you’re looking for more advanced options or features, you may want to consider using a third-party program like “Always on Top”. This freeware program allows you to keep any window on top of all other windows, including Task Manager.

Method 4: Use Windows Registry

Using the Windows Registry, you can make sure that Task Manager is always on top. To do this, open Regedit and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TaskManager. From there, create a new DWORD value called “AlwaysOnTop” and set its value to 1.

Method 5: Use Command Prompt

You can also make Task Manager always on top by using the Command Prompt. Simply open Command Prompt and type “taskmgr /AlwaysOnTop” (without quotes) and hit enter. This will activate the “Always on top” option in Task Manager.

Method 6: Use Taskbar Tweaker

Taskbar Tweaker is a free application that can help you customize your taskbar in a variety of ways. One of its features is the ability to make Task Manager always on top by simply right-clicking on its icon in the taskbar and selecting “Always on top”.

Method 7: Use AutoHotkey Script

For more advanced users, you can use an AutoHotkey script to make Task Manager always on top. Simply create a new script and type “SetTitleMatchMode, 2” followed by “WinSet, AlwaysOnTop, On, Task Manager”. Save the script and run it whenever you need to make Task Manager always on top.

Method 8: Use Desktop Toolbar

You can also add Task Manager to your desktop toolbar so that it’s always within reach. Simply right-click on your desktop, go to Toolbars, and select “New Toolbar”. Then navigate to %windir%\system32 and select “taskmgr.exe”.

Method 9: Use Group Policy Editor

If you’re using Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, you can make Task Manager always on top using the Group Policy Editor. Navigate to Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/System/Ctrl+Alt+Del Options and enable “Always On Top of Other Windows”.

Method 10: Use PowerToys

Finally, if you’re using Windows 10, you can use Microsoft’s PowerToys utility to keep Task Manager always on top. Simply download and install PowerToys, open the application, and enable the “Always on top” option in the Task Manager plugin.

In conclusion, there are several methods that you can use to ensure that Task Manager is always on top, regardless of whether you’re using Windows 10 or an older version of the operating system. Choose the method that best suits your needs and preferences, and you’ll never have to struggle to find Task Manager again!

Section 2: Using Third-Party Software to Make Task Manager Always on Top

If the built-in feature of Windows to keep task manager always on top does not work for you, you can use third-party software. In this section, we will introduce you to some of the best and most popular software that can make your task manager stay on top.

1. DeskPins
DeskPins is a lightweight tool that allows you to keep any window on top, including the task manager. Once you download and install DeskPins, you can activate it by right-clicking on the window header and selecting “Pin to Top.” You can easily unpin the window by using the same method.

2. Always on Top
Another useful software to keep task manager always on top is Always on Top. It is a straightforward tool that stays in your system tray and allows you to make any window stay on top by pressing the Ctrl+Space hotkey. You can also set up a shortcut key for Always on Top for quicker access.

3. AutoHotKey
AutoHotKey is an open-source automation tool that can help you create scripts to automate tasks, including keeping task manager always on top. To use AutoHotKey to make task manager always on top, you need to create a .ahk file with the following code:

SetTitleMatchMode, 2
#IfWinActive, Task Manager
^SPACE::
Winset, Alwaysontop, , A
Return

Once you save the file, you need to run it, and it will enable the Ctrl+Space shortcut to make task manager always on top.

4. TurboTop
TurboTop is a tiny utility that allows you to pin any window on top of other windows, including the task manager. You can use the Ctrl+Shift+T hotkey to toggle the always on top feature on and off.

5. PinMe!
PinMe! is a highly customizable tool that lets you pin any application window on top of other windows. You can easily pin or unpin the task manager using a hotkey. PinMe! also allows you to resize, move, and change the opacity of the pinned windows.

6. Actual Window Manager
Actual Window Manager is a powerful tool that offers a ton of features to manage your windows. One of its features is “Always on Top,” which allows you to force any window to stay on top, including the task manager. Actual Window Manager also lets you set up rules to automatically make certain windows always on top.

7. WindowTop
WindowTop is a unique tool that allows you to pin any window on top and apply visual effects to it. You can choose from various effects, such as blur, transparency, and dimming. WindowTop also offers a “Stay on Top” feature that keeps any window always on top, including the task manager.

8. OnTopReplica
OnTopReplica is a small tool that allows you to create a replica of a window and place it on top of other windows. You can use OnTopReplica to create a replica of the task manager and keep it always on top. OnTopReplica also offers a feature to resize and move the replica window.

9. PowerMenu
PowerMenu is a simple tool that adds some useful features to the window menu, such as “Always on Top.” Once you install PowerMenu, you can right-click on any window header and select “Always on Top” to make it stay on top. You can also use the hotkey Ctrl+Space to toggle the always on top feature.

10. PinWin
Finally, we have PinWin, a lightweight and intuitive tool that lets you pin any window on top of other windows. PinWin offers a simple drag-and-drop method to pin windows, including the task manager. You can also use a hotkey to toggle the always on top feature on and off.

In conclusion, using third-party software to keep task manager always on top can be a great alternative if the built-in feature of Windows does not work or if you need some advanced features. The tools we introduced here are all reliable, lightweight, and easy to use. Try them out and find your favorite one that suits your needs.

Third Section: Using Third-party Software to Keep Task Manager Always on Top

If you’re not satisfied with the built-in functionality of your computer’s operating system, or you’re using an older version of Windows that doesn’t have the ‘Always on Top’ feature, you can turn to third-party software to help you achieve this goal.

1. AutoHotkey

AutoHotkey is a free, open-source scripting language for Windows that allows you to automate repetitive tasks and create keyboard shortcuts. It also comes with a ‘Windows Spy’ utility that lets you see information about any window, including the Task Manager.

To use AutoHotkey to keep Task Manager always on top:

This will force Task Manager to always be on top of other windows. You can also customize the script to use a different hotkey or to apply the always-on-top functionality to other windows.

2. DeskPins

DeskPins is a lightweight and portable application that allows you to pin any window to the desktop, making it always on top. It works with all versions of Windows from XP to 10.

To use DeskPins to keep Task Manager always on top:

The Task Manager window will now stay on top of other windows until you unpin it using the same method. DeskPins also allows you to pin multiple windows to the desktop and customize the pin icon.

3. Always on Top

Always on Top is a free and simple program that adds an ‘Always on Top’ button to any window, including Task Manager.

To use Always on Top to keep Task Manager always on top:

The Task Manager window will now stay on top of other windows until you click the ‘Always on Top’ button again to turn it off. Always on Top is a lightweight and easy-to-use solution for keeping Task Manager always visible.

4. OnTopReplica

OnTopReplica is a free, portable program that allows you to clone any part of your screen and keep it always on top. This can be useful for monitoring Task Manager while working on other tasks.

To use OnTopReplica to keep Task Manager always on top:

The selected area or window will now stay on top of other windows until you disable the ‘Always on Top’ feature. OnTopReplica also allows you to resize, minimize, and customize the cloned area.

5. Actual Title Buttons

Actual Title Buttons is a paid software that adds a variety of window management features to Windows, including the ability to keep a window always on top. It works with all versions of Windows from XP to 10.

To use Actual Title Buttons to keep Task Manager always on top:

The Task Manager window will now stay on top of other windows until you click the ‘Always on Top’ button again to turn it off. Actual Title Buttons also includes features such as rollup, transparency, and multi-monitor support.

By using the above solutions, you can keep Task Manager always visible and monitor your system’s resource usage without interruption. Choose the one that suits your needs and enjoy the seamless experience.

That’s it, you’ve made it!

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned how to make your task manager always on top. Now, you don’t have to switch back and forth between windows to check what’s going on with your computer. Thanks for reading until the end, and I hope you found this article helpful. Don’t forget to visit us again later for more useful tips and tricks to improve your computer experience. See you soon!