Best Free Setting On-Top Windows

Mon, 11/17/2008 - 08:35 — Jojoyee

In a Hurry?

Go straight to the Quick Selection Guide

Introduction

The system will minimize a window automatically when it is not focused. However, there are times we want it to be placed on top of other windows for cross reference even though when we click (focus) on other windows.

Such applications as Calculator, Notepad, or DOS Command, etc., usually take up only a small part of the desktop area. It is definitely more convenient for cross reference if they are always placed on-top, instead of being minimized to the taskbar and we need to maximize them again the moment we need to refer to.

These are free programs which enhance the features of the system and help keep the applications on top of other windows.

Discussion

DeskPins is my favorite. It is a very small application to help keep windows on top of everything else by setting pins on the windows. The user interface is intuitive, just click on the DeskPins icon at the system notification area (tray), and drop the pin at any window you like to set on top of other windows. To remove the pin, click on it again.

DeskPins features intelligent handling of various application types. It works on normal windows, skinned windows (such as Windows Media Player in skin mode), or even a DOS command window. It also provides an option to enable autopins, change pin colors and other settings.

If you just need the setting on-top feature, DeskPins is definitely the best choice among all candidates.

FileBox eXtender adds a setting on-top button directly to the window. This makes the task more intuitive and simpler, click and unclick on the added pin serves the purpose. You do not need to drop the pin like Deskpins.

It comes with a drawback though. FileBox eXtender's pin cannot attach to some skinned or DOS command windows.

In addition to setting on-top, it has other features such as roll-up windows, easy access to favourite and recent folders/documents with a click on Windows Explorer or a file open/save dialogue box. These features can be disabled if you do not need them.

If you are looking for more features for controlling windows, PowerMenu is a good choice. After installing this program, a right click on an open window will show up a menu item Always On Top for placing the window on top. Other features available in the menu include setting transparency of windows and minimizing windows to tray.

A drawback of the program is that it does not support some skinned windows, neither a DOS command window.

Another alternative is to use xNeat Windows Manager Lite (free lite version). With this program, a right click on the top of an open window allows you to choose Make On Top, together with other available functions such as Hide Window, Send To Tray and Transparency. Moreover, a right click on the taskbar will show up which are the selected On Top Windows, as well as Hidden Windows, Trayed Windows, Hidden Tray Icons, and setting taskbar appearance.

However, the program in the version under this review is found to have an issue when running on Vista. Upon shutting down Vista, you will encounter that TaskEng (Task Scheduler Engine Process) is still running and you need to select Shut down now or Cancel. Strangely either option you choose, Vista will proceed to shut down.

Dexpot which is a virtual desktop manager also supports setting on-top windows, in addition to its main feature of creating several virtual deskops and other secondary features such as minimizing to system tray, setting transparency, and rolling-up windows.

However, similar to the weakness of PowerMenu, Dexpot does not allow setting a DOS command window or other skinned windows on top of other windows.

RegToy's Window Manager is also a powerful tool to control windows. Besides setting on-top, it offers many other features such as apply opacity, minimise to tray, roll-up, hide windows, take snapshots, etc.

RegToy comes with a package with other utilities which include registry tweaking, startup manager, shell context menu extension, screen capture, wallpaper changer, shutdown scheduler, disk cleaner, memory cleaner, file renamer, file splitter, file encryptor and many other miscellaneous tools.

For setting on-top windows, RegToy's Window Manager does not support DOS windows and skinned windows.

Others

These are a number of other free applications for setting on-top windows. Some were brought up in comments here or noted from other sources. As they are not rated in this review, I am listing them here with brief descriptions and links to their sites for ease of reference.

Stay On Top developed by J. Eric Vaughan is a small program which allows you to set on-top windows, including skinned and DOS command windows, but it is less intuitive than DeskPins in user interface.

Direct Folders, with its main feature for direct access to favorite and recent folders, also supports setting on-top windows by right-clicking on the Windows' standard close button. Some skinned or DOS command windows are not supported.

Quick Selection Guide

DeskPins
		Intuitive interface, easy to use with pin design, intelligent handling of various application types, works on skinned and DOS windows.
		None.
		http://users.forthnet.gr/pat/efotinis/programs/deskpins.html
		http://users.forthnet.gr/pat/efotinis/programs/files/DeskPins130.zip
		96 KB 1.30 Unrestricted Freeware Win 95 to Vista

FileBox eXtender
		Click and unclick directly on the pin to the windows, easy to use among other features such as roll-up, access to favorite and recent folders/documents.
		Setting some skinned and DOS windows on top is not supported.
		http://www.hyperionics.com/files/index.asp
		http://www.hyperionics.com/files/downloads.asp
		1.6 MB 2.00.02 Unrestricted Freeware Win 95 to Vista
		64 Bit version available

PowerMenu
		Other than setting on top, it has other features such as setting transpareny and minimizing windows.
		Setting some skinned and DOS windows on top is not supported.
		http://www.abstractpath.com/powermenu/
		http://www.abstractpath.com/powermenu/PowerMenuSetup_1_5_1.exe
		110 KB 1.5.1 Unrestricted Freeware Win 95 to Vista

xNeat Windows Manager Lite
		Other than setting on top, it has other features such as hide windows, send to tray and set transpareny windows.
		Conflict with TaskEng when running on Vista.
		http://www.xneat.com/
		http://www.xneat.com/windows-manager/download.htm
		372 KB 2.5.0.85 Unrestricted Freeware Win XP to Vista

Dexpot
		Support setting on-top windows in addition to the main feature of creating several virtual desktops and other secondary features.
		Setting some skinned and DOS windows on top is not supported.
		http://www.dexpot.de/index.php?lang=en
		http://dexpot.de/index.php?id=download
		1.89 MB 1.4.1 Unrestricted Freeware Win 95 to Vista
		64 Bit Capable Portable version available

RegToy
		Offer a Window Manager to support setting on-top and other features for controlling windows. Included as a package with many other utilities.
		Setting DOS and skinned windows on top is not supported.
		http://k-n.co.cc/index.html
		http://k-n.co.cc/download.html
		1.62 MB 0.7.2.1 Unrestricted Freeware Win XP to Vista

This software category is maintained by volunteer Jojoyee. Registered site visitors can contact him by clicking here.

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#1Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 12/27/2008 - 15:15.

I have used Desk Pins for years but I can no longer get it to work on Vista. I have made two changes to Vista - the SP1 update and also adding Chrome browser and this is on three different laptops. Desk Pins was definitely the best program.

#2Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 12/28/2008 - 05:32.

I am running it on Vista SP1 but has no problem. I am using Chrome too on a notebook and a desktop. Another way is to set running the program in compatibility mode.

#3Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 12/24/2008 - 05:54.

Best is WindowSpace, they are fast modern and expertly programmed. Fully Supports Vista x64 edition and rock-solid.

http://ntwind.com/

#4Submitted by Jojoyee on Thu, 12/25/2008 - 10:12.

It is a commercial software and excluded from review.

#5Submitted by peter on Fri, 12/19/2008 - 08:07.

#6Submitted by Jojoyee on Sun, 12/21/2008 - 04:52.

Thanks Peter, FileBox eXtender is a good candidate. Added in the review.

#7Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/18/2008 - 19:08.

RegToy also provides an awesome Window Manager, but you will have to install many other features you might never use.
http://k-n.co.cc/index.html

#8Submitted by Jojoyee on Fri, 12/19/2008 - 07:07.

Thanks for the comments and updated in the review.

#9Submitted by Anonymous on Sun, 11/30/2008 - 09:34.

Like Dexpot (11/29/2008), DirectFolders sets a window on top with a right click. "Right click on Close [X] button of any application to make it stay on top of other windows."

#10Submitted by Jojoyee on Sun, 11/30/2008 - 16:40.

Thanks for the info and appended in the review.

#11Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 11/29/2008 - 23:27.

Just wanted to add a note that if you use Dexpot (the excellent desktop switcher), you can right-click on any window and set it "always on top", without the need for an extra specific App.

#12Submitted by Jojoyee on Sun, 11/30/2008 - 06:25.

Many thanks for the note. Updated in the review.

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Best Free Setting On-Top Windows

DeskPins

FileBox eXtender

PowerMenu

xNeat Windows Manager Lite

Dexpot

RegToy

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