Alex Ruben
How To Keep Task Manager Always on Top in Windows 11 and 10
Ever gotten tired of your Task Manager vanishing behind other windows? Yeah, it’s kinda annoying when you’re juggling multiple apps and want to keep an eye on system performance without constantly clicking back. The built-in way to do this isn’t super obvious, so here’s a quick rundown that actually works without third-party apps.
Prerequisites
You gotta be running Windows 10 or 11 — no extra downloads needed because Task Manager already has this feature, at least in theory. Of course, sometimes Windows loves to make things more complicated than they should be, so your mileage may vary.
Step 1: Open Task Manager
This is pretty straightforward:
- Right-click on the Taskbar and pick Task Manager. Easier than hunting through menus.
- Or just hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Sometimes faster if you prefer using the keyboard.
Note: If Task Manager opens in tiny or compact mode, double-check you’re in the normal view. Some people report that the “Always on Top” toggle only appears or works properly in the full interface.
Step 2: Access Task Manager Settings
Once it’s up, look for the gear icon (⚙️) at the top right — click that. That opens the Settings menu. Here’s where things get sneaky: this toggle isn’t always visible by default.
In some Windows versions, this option has been moved or even hidden, so you might have to enable it via some registry tweaks or third-party tools. But for many, you’ll see an option labeled Always on Top here, waiting to be toggled.
Step 3: Enable the “Always on Top” Option
If you see Always on Top (and it’s unchecked), just tick it. That’s kind of weird, but it’s supposed to pin Task Manager right above everything else. Sometimes, this toggle isn’t visible at first glance, so here’s a pro tip: if it isn’t there, or it’s greyed out, you might want to try launching Task Manager as administrator and repeat the steps. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Step 4: Verify the Functionality
Open another app or just a browser window, then switch between them. Check if Task Manager stays visibly on top without losing focus. Usually works pretty well, but on some setups, you might need a restart to get it wired up properly.
Another thing to watch out for: some Windows updates or system configurations might reset settings or break the toggle temporarily. Just toggle it again or reboot if it’s not sticking.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Because of course, things aren’t always smooth:
- If Task Manager refuses to stay on top, try rebooting. Sometimes, a quick restart kicks the settings into action.
- Running in safe mode or with restricted permissions can mess with toggles, so make sure you’re running with admin privileges if possible.
- If your version of Task Manager doesn’t offer the toggle, folks have had success with third-party apps like AlwaysOnTop or other small utilities. They force windows to stay above everything else, easy enough to find.
- Perusing online forums, some suggest trying to kill and restart the process—taskkill /f /im Taskmgr.exe from PowerShell or CMD, then reopen it. Just be cautious.
Conclusion
Getting Task Manager to stay on top isn’t perfect on every Windows setup, but these steps should help most folks. Sometimes, it’s a matter of fiddling with permissions, restarting, or even just toggling the setting again. Not sure why it works sometimes, but if it does, it’s a lifesaver during intense troubleshooting sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pin other windows on top as well?
Sure, but most Windows apps don’t have a built-in option. If you need a more consistent “always on top” feature across multiple apps, third-party programs like AlwaysOnTop or others are the way to go.
What if the “Always on Top” option is greyed out?
This usually happens if Task Manager is in a minimized or compact state, or if Windows has some permission restrictions. Make sure you’re in the normal window, and run it as admin if needed.
Will enabling this waste system resources?
Nah, it’s a tiny checkbox. Doesn’t impact performance, just keeps the window floating.
Summary
- Open Task Manager (shortcut or right-click menu).
- Click the gear icon for Settings.
- Tick the Always on Top box if available.
- Verify it stays on top when switching between apps.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Just something that worked on multiple machines.