Keeping Task Manager on top of all other windows in Windows 10 or 11 can be really useful, especially when you’re:
- Dealing with crashed or frozen games or full-screen applications.
- Monitoring CPU, GPU, memory, and disk usage while actively using other software.
- Identifying suspicious processes or unusual resource usage that may indicate malware.
Here are three effective ways of how to keep Task Manager on top .
Built-In Settings
The easiest way to keep Task Manager on top is via the built-in settings in the app itself.
Windows 11
Step 1. Open Task Manager (press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC).
Step 2. Click the Settings gear icon in the lower-left corner.
Step 3. Under the “Window management” section, check the “Always on top” box.
Windows 10
Step 1. Open “Task Manager” (press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC).
Step 2. If you don’t see menu options, click the “More details” option in the bottom left corner.
Step 3. Click the “Options” menu item.
Step 4. Check the “Always on top” option.
Step 5. Alternatively, right-click the Task Manager icon in the system tray notification area and select “Always on top.”
This setting will keep Task Manager open and above other windows every time you open it from now on. To disable, simply uncheck the option via either the app or the system tray.
Edit the Registry
Another method to keep Task Manager on top is via the Registry. This method is more complicated. However, it might be your only option if the Task Manager menu bar is hidden or the settings gear is unresponsive due to a bug.
Step 1. Open the “Registry Editor” (press the Windows key + R, type “regedit” (without the quotation marks), and then press “Enter.”
Step 2. Navigate to the following path: “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\TaskManager”.
Step 3. Right-click the “TaskManager” key and select “Delete.”
Step 4. Confirm the deletion.
Step 5. Close and restart Task Manager.
Task Manager will recreate its default settings when it opens, and the “Always on top” setting should now be available.
Use Microsoft PowerToys
Microsoft’s PowerToys is another effective way to keep Task Manager on top.
The Always on Top utility is just one of the useful features in this app to improve and customize your Windows experience. It’s especially useful if you also want to pin windows of different apps (not just Task Manager), or you want a keyboard shortcut that allows you to toggle “Always on Top” on or off at will.
Download the app from Microsoft and install it. After installation, simply press Windows + Ctrl + T to make Task Manager (or any active window) always stay on top. Press it again to remove “Always on Top” for the active window.
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Last updated on 14 July, 2026
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