Remove Always Top Status from Running Applications
Have you ever wanted to remove the "always on top" status from a running application? This can be incredibly useful for improving multitasking and enhancing productivity, especially when working with multiple windows and applications simultaneously. In this article, we will explore the concept of the "always on top" status, why users might want to remove it, and discover solutions for different operating systems.
What is the "Always on Top" Status?
The "always on top" status is a feature in many modern operating systems that allows a window to remain visible and stay in front of all other windows. This can be beneficial for quick references, but it may also interfere with multitasking or cause frustration when trying to work with other windows or applications.
Why Would You Want to Remove the "Always on Top" Status?
There are several reasons why you might want to remove the "always on top" status from running applications:
- Improve multitasking and productivity:
- Ensure that all windows and applications can be accessed easily;
- Eliminate distractions caused by constantly visible windows;
- Resolve display issues or conflicts when working with multiple monitors.
Removing "Always on Top" Status for Windows Users
Unfortunately, Windows does not have a built-in method for removing the "always on top" status. However, there are third-party solutions that can help achieve this goal.
DeskPins: A Third-Party Solution
DeskPins is a free and lightweight utility that allows you to easily change the "always on top" status for any window in Windows. You can download DeskPins from the developer's website (https://www.brianapplegate.com/deskpins/).
After installing DeskPins, you can simply click the DeskPin icon in your system tray and then click on the window for which you want to remove the "always on top" status.
To remove the "always on top" status using DeskPins, click on the window again (or right-click on the DeskPin icon in the system tray and select "Remove pin").
"C:\Path\To\DeskPins.exe"
Removing "Always on Top" Status for Linux Users
In Linux, you can use the built-in "devilspie" application to modify window behavior. Devilspie allows you to create custom rules for handling windows and modifying their behavior, including removing the "always on top" status.
Installing Devilspie in Ubuntu
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install devilspie
Creating a Devilspie Rule to Remove "Always on Top" Status
First, create a new .ds rule file, for example remove_always_on_top.ds.
nano remove_always_on_top.ds
Add the following contents to the file:
(if
(is (application_name) "YourAppName")
(begin
(unset (window_properties) _NET_WM_STATE_ABOVE)
)
)
Replace "YourAppName" with the desired application name.
Running the Devilspie Rule
After saving the file, run Devilspie with the following command:
devilspie -f remove_always_on_top.ds
In this article, we learned about the "always on top" status and explored reasons for removing it. We discovered solutions for Windows and Linux users, whether using third-party utilities like DeskPins or built-in tools like devilspie in Linux.
References
- Brian Applegate. (n.d.). DeskPins. [Book]
- Gogineni, P. (2022, April 18). How to Make a Window Stay Always on Top in Linux. [Article]
- GNOME Wiki. (n.d.). Devilspie. [Online Resource]