there are a lot of software that I use that I wish there was some sort of way that I could just right click on the taskbar icon and specify to always keep it on top.

Do you know if there is anything like this out there for win xp?

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asked for an easy way to mark arbitrary program windows "always on top" from the taskbar. Windows XP does not offer a built‑in, per‑icon right‑click toggle for that — the taskbar/jump list is controlled by each application or the shell, so adding a universal "Always on Top" item there requires a shell extension or per‑app support. Practical alternatives are lighter and simpler.

A few reliable approaches that achieve the same result without modifying the taskbar itself:

  • Use a tiny pin utility (for example, DeskPins) to click a pin onto any window and keep it topmost.
  • Use a hotkey script so you can toggle the active window’s topmost state instantly. Example AutoHotkey toggle (save as .ahk and run with AutoHotkey):
    ^SPACE::  ; Ctrl+Space toggles AlwaysOnTop for active window
    WinSet, AlwaysOnTop, Toggle, A
    return

    See the AutoHotkey WinSet docs for details: WinSet (AutoHotkey).

  • Use a full window manager that adds titlebar/system‑menu items (commercial products such as Actual Window Manager) if you want menu integration and extra behaviors.

Notes and troubleshooting: tools must run with the same privilege level as the target application — if a program is elevated (run as admin) the pin/hotkey utility also needs elevation. If a pinned window loses its topmost state after certain actions, try running the utility elevated or switch to a manager that enforces topmost more aggressively.

As pointed out, a hotkey approach is fast; if hotkeys aren’t desirable, DeskPins or a manager that adds menu buttons gives a clickable alternative.

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there are a lot of software that I use that I wish there was some sort of way that I could just right click on the taskbar icon and specify to always keep it on top.

Do you know if there is anything like this out there for win xp?

Didn't get wat u said, wat u wanna keep on top

I use Hotkeycontrol XP. This program lets you assign all sorts of hotkeys to do stuff that isn't typically exposed in the Windows interface. I have hotkeyed Win+Z to sticky/unsticky windows. This makes forcing a window to stay on top fast and easy. Give it a try.

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