Always-on-top sticky notes on Windows
The built-in Windows Sticky Notes app has no "always on top" option, so a note disappears the moment you maximise another window. Chrome and Edge (version 116+) on Windows support Document Picture-in-Picture: a small, real OS window that stays above other apps. Open a note here, press the pop-out button, and it floats over Explorer, Excel, your IDE or a full-screen video.
Last updated September 2026
Open floating notes — free →How to do it
- Open the app in Chrome or Edge on Windows (version 116 or newer).
- Press N (or the New note button) and type — rich text and markdown shortcuts like "- " and "[ ] " work.
- Click the pop-out button in the note toolbar. A floating window opens and stays above other windows.
- Drag and resize it like any window; the size is remembered per note for next time.
- Optional: install it as an app from Edge/Chrome's address bar so it gets a Start-menu icon and works offline.
Tips
- Snap layouts don't apply to the floating window — just drag it to a corner so it doesn't cover your taskbar.
- Keep one pinned note for recurring info (a ticket number, a checklist) so it's always first in the sidebar.
- Export all notes as markdown before resetting Windows or clearing browser data — notes live in the browser profile, not in the cloud.
FAQ
Does this replace Windows Sticky Notes?
For always-on-top use, yes: Windows Sticky Notes can't float over maximised apps. It doesn't sync through a Microsoft account though; notes stay in this browser on this PC.
Does it work in Firefox on Windows?
You can write and edit notes in Firefox, but the floating window needs Document Picture-in-Picture, which Firefox doesn't support at the time of writing. Use Chrome or Edge for the always-on-top part.
Can I have several floating notes at once?
The browser allows one Document Picture-in-Picture window per tab. Inside it you can switch between notes with the arrows, so one floating window can cycle through all of them.