DeskPins

DeskPins is a practical and efficient tool designed to enhance multitasking on the Windows platform. Its core functionality revolves around providing users with the ability to pin any desired window, effectively keeping it always on top of all other open windows. This is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to constantly refer to information in one window while working in another, such as:

• Keeping a calculator or notepad visible while entering data.
• Monitoring a chat window while working on a document.
• Having a reference image or text snippet readily available.

One of the key aspects of DeskPins is its lightweight design. It consumes minimal system resources, ensuring it doesn't impact the performance of other applications. The application resides discreetly in the System Tray, making it easily accessible without cluttering the taskbar.

DeskPins offers a straightforward and user-friendly interface overlay. To pin a window, simply click the DeskPins system tray icon, which changes the cursor to a pin. Then, click on the title bar of the window you wish to keep on top. A small red pin appears in the title bar of the pinned window, providing a visual indicator. Unpinning is just as simple: click the system tray icon again and then click the pin on the window's title bar.

For increased efficiency, DeskPins supports hotkeys, allowing users to quickly toggle the 'always on top' status of the active window without interacting with the system tray icon. This feature is particularly useful for power users who prefer keyboard shortcuts.

Another noteworthy feature is the ability to make pinned windows transparent. This can be helpful for reducing screen clutter while still keeping the information visible in the background.

While discontinued, DeskPins remains a functional utility for users seeking a simple solution for window management and window organization on various Windows versions, including Windows 10.

DeskPins is a utility software designed for the Windows operating system with the sole purpose of allowing users to keep specific windows 'always on top' of other applications. In scenarios involving multitasking, particularly when referencing information from one window while working in another, this functionality proves to be significantly beneficial.

Core Functionality

The primary feature of DeskPins is its ability to pin any window. Once pinned, the window remains visible regardless of which other applications are active or brought to the foreground. This is achieved through a simple interaction model:

• The application runs in the system tray.
• Clicking the system tray icon activates the pinning mode, indicated by a change in the mouse cursor to a large pushpin.
• Clicking the title bar of any window with the pin cursor pins that window.
• A visible red pin icon appears on the title bar of the pinned window.
• To unpin, the process is reversed: activate pinning mode and click the title bar of the already pinned window.

Resource Consumption and Performance

One of DeskPins's strong points is its minimal resource footprint. It is designed to be lightweight and does not noticeably impact system performance, even when multiple windows are pinned. This makes it a suitable tool for systems with limited resources or for users who prioritize system responsiveness.

User Interface and Ease of Use

DeskPins features a very simple and intuitive user interface, primarily centered around the system tray icon and the visual pin cursor. The process of pinning and unpinning is straightforward and easily understood, even for novice users. The presence of the red pin icon on the window's title bar provides clear visual feedback on which windows are currently pinned.

Advanced Features

Beyond the basic pinning functionality, DeskPins includes several features that enhance its utility:

• Hotkeys: Support for customizable hotkeys allows users to quickly toggle the 'always on top' status of the currently active window without needing to click the system tray icon. This significantly speeds up the workflow for users who frequently pin and unpin windows.
• Transparency: The option to make pinned windows transparent is a useful addition. It allows users to see content underneath the pinned window, reducing screen clutter while still keeping the pinned window visible.

Portability and Installation

DeskPins can be used as a portable application, meaning it can be run directly from an executable file without requiring a formal installation process. This makes it easy to use on different computers or from portable storage devices.

Compatibility and Discontinuation

While the software has been discontinued, it remains functional on various versions of Windows, including Windows 10, though compatibility with the latest Windows 11 updates may vary. The discontinuation means there will be no further updates or official support.

Conclusion

DeskPins offers a simple yet effective solution for managing window visibility on Windows. Its ease of use, low resource consumption, and helpful features like hotkeys and transparency make it a valuable tool for enhancing productivity through improved window organization. Despite being discontinued, its core functionality remains robust for compatible Windows versions.