How to place the desired window on top of other windows

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

It doesn't matter if you're copying text or watching a video - the window you want will always be on top.

When working with multiple windows, you often need to stack one on top of the other. When the necessary window is hidden under a bunch of others, it is somewhat annoying.

Most Linux distributions provide built-in ability to place windows on top or below others. On Windows or macOS, this can be done by third-party tools.

For Windows

4t Tray Minimizer

A very useful application for those who work with multiple windows. Knows how not only to hide windows in the tray, as the name suggests, but also to place the necessary windows above the rest, make the windows semi-transparent and minimize the content to the title. You can assign your own hotkeys to all these actions.

4t Tray Minimizer is free to use. Some additional features cost $ 19.95.

Download 4t Tray Minimizer →

DeskPins

A very simple application with which you can "pin" the desired window on top of others. Click on the application icon in the tray, then drag the pin icon that appears to the title of the window.

Download DeskPins →

TurboTop

This utility is even smaller and simpler. After installation, an icon appears in the tray, clicking on which displays a menu with the names of open windows. By selecting a window from this menu, you will place it above the rest. Click on the window title again to return it to its normal state.

Download TurboTop →

AquaSnap

AquaSnap has many features, including placing windows on top of others. Take the desired window by its title, "shake" it, and it will be placed on top of the others. In the settings menu, you can select the transparency of the docked window.

In addition, AquaSnap can customize the modes of maximizing and stretching windows, "sticking" windows to the edges of the screen, and much more. The app is free. For the advanced version with the ability to customize windows in bulk, you will have to pay $ 18.

Download AquaSnap →

For macOS

Afloat

This is a plugin for the mySIMBL application that can adjust the transparency of Mac windows and dock the desired windows on top of others. To install it, first download and install mySIMBL.

For the mySIMBL utility to work correctly, you need to disable System Integrity Protection on your Mac.

• Reboot your Mac. Before the Apple logo appears, press and hold Command + R.
• The system will go into Recovery Mode. Select "Utilities", then "Terminal".
• Enter the command:

csrutil disable

Restart your Mac again

Then download Afloat in a. ZIP archive by choosing Clone or download from the download page. Open the archive and drag the afloat.bundle file from the bundle folder into the application window.

New items will now appear on your Mac's Windows menu:

Afloat is compatible with most applications.

If for some reason you no longer want to use mySIMBL, you can enable System Integrity Protection. To do this, go to Recovery Mode again and enter in the "Terminal":

csrutil enable

Built-in tools

Many applications, such as media players, can display their window on top of others without assistance.

• VLC: Select the Video menu, then Top All.
• iTunes: go to iTunes preferences, switch to the "Add-ons" tab and enable the "Show mini-player on top of other windows" option. Then select the "Window" menu and switch to mini-player mode.
• Windows Media Player: Click on "Arrange", go to "Options", select the "Player" tab and enable "Show Player in Front of Other Windows".
• AIMP: Click the pin icon in the player header.
• Pidgin: open the list of modules in the "Tools" menu. In the "Pidgin for Windows Settings" module, activate the "Contact list on top of other windows" option.
• MPC: Select Always Top from the View menu.

This way you can easily place the most needed windows above the rest. Or maybe you know more elegant ways?