Any way to get the CALCULATOR to always show on top?

orlando1974 · Dec 22, 2023

Hi... a bit of a silly question... caused by a high annoyance.
Every time I click the calculator hot key on my Logitech keyboard (top right on the num pad), it launches the Windows 11 default calculator but.... buried underneath all my other windows. I can't seem to find a way to set it to always open on top. Which I would assume is what people want, given that a calculator is something we bring up when we need it right away for something then put it away.

Does anyone know how to set it so it always opens on top? Otherwise, is there a different free calculator available on Windows that would have this option to always open on top?

MitchInHome · Dec 22, 2023

Yes keep on top Alt +UP

orlando1974 · Dec 22, 2023

Thanks, I tried that but the problem is... it only works as long as you don't make active again a fullscreen app while using it.

Try to reproduce:
-Open web browser full screen (or another full screen app)
-Launch calculator (as many as you like and they will go on top)

Works fine UNTIL...
-Click somewhere in the fullscreen browser or app (which will make it in focus again).
-You should see your calculator now dissappear.
-Launch calculatior again and keeps going in background. Always on top functionality is broken.

**Calculator always on top functionality is retained if we just click in a full size window like File Explorer, but if it's an app, then the functionality breaks.

zebal · Dec 22, 2023

There is a method I'm using, from MS Store install MS PowerToys which has option to keep any program at the top.
CTRL + Win key + T is shortcut to bring current program in focus to top, you only need to disable drawing a border around the program in powertoys options.

orlando1974 · Dec 22, 2023

zebal said:
There is a method I'm using, from MS Store install MS PowerToys which has option to keep any program at the top.
CTRL + Win key + T is shortcut to bring current program in focus to top, you only need to disable drawing a border around the program in powertoys options.

Oh, I used to have MSToys installed - I didn't know they had that feature. I'll consider reinstalling it if that's the only way to fix this. I do wish that Microsoft would fix their "Always on Top" toggle for the calculator so it actually sticks no matter what. I've sent feedback thru the app - who knows if they read it lol

zebal · Dec 22, 2023

@orlando1974
I asked same question few weeks ago, have tried out several calculators trying to replace win. calculator but powertoys method is the best for me because I use the win. calculator within game, it's simple and easy to use calculator and overall good for gaming if you need to calculate things fast due to resize ability of buttons and large digit screen.

MitchInHome · Dec 22, 2023

orlando1974 said:
Try to reproduce:
-Open web browser full screen (or another full screen app)
-Launch calculator (as many as you like and they will go on top)

Strange I just did and mine works fine ...... could it be something about your Win 11 stealing focus - Accessibility settings?
Or this Please recommend a calculator

zebal · Dec 22, 2023

@MitchInHome
It works for standard calculator but the option doesn't exist for scientific calculator.
Another set back is that setting the win. calc at the top will remove memory buttons and you won't be able to memorize anything.

orlando1974 · Dec 22, 2023

MitchInHome said:
Strange I just did and mine works fine ...... could it be something about your Win 11 stealing focus - Accessibility settings?
Or this Please recommend a calculator

Hmm, you're lucky then because on my system the moment I activate again a fullscreen app/browser window or tab, the calculator gets pushed to the background and launching again with the calculator hotkey now launches them in the background. I checked Accessibility settings and found nothing there... I don't require those so I never tweaked them.

Codechaser · Feb 19, 2024

Refer to this thread in forum from

Please recommend a calculator

Hey guys, I'm playing a game where the calculator is your main tool and I have to use it a lot and fast, Currently I use Windows calculator app however I'm not very happy with it because it lacks some functionalities that are essential for fast calculation. A calculator which I seek to find...

www.elevenforum.com

Near the bottom user Berton: https://www.elevenforum.com/members/berton.127/
Suggested "Moffsoft FreeCalc" which may have an old interface.
For me it works perfectly. I changed my Logitech Keyboard calc button to this.

I just need a standard calc that launches on top, without finding it and clicking pins etc

Kees · Feb 19, 2024

A moment ago I tried the Moffsoft FreeCalc.
May be you like the program, but it is not usable for me.
- Only in English (I prefer NL for all my programs, if anyway possible)
- No other modes than just plain, simple calculator (no scientific mode, which I need often).
- No binary / hex mode possible (I use that quite often to calculate between hex numbers and decimal numbers).

My favorite calculator is the classic calculator from Windows 7 (and older), which you find linked here:

Old Windows 7 Calculator for Windows 10

Get the classic old Calculator app from Windows 8 and Windows 7 in Windows 10

winaero.com

It has no option to always stay on top, but when I start it from my preprogrammed keyboard key, it always starts on top anyway!
That calculator has all the modes that are in te modern app, but just a bit more modest in view on my monitor.

Compare (left the classic calculator, right the modern app):

Both images are presented here at 100% size on my screen!

orlando1974 · Feb 19, 2024

If you have 2 monitors, you can do like me and set the default calculator to open on the 2nd display. It's a workaround but thats what I do. I have the 2nd monitor in physically rotated to portrait orientation and I just launch the calculator full screen, and keep the main display for whatever my main task is. So I have a pretty large calculator on the side screen while I I keep my main stuff on the main display. #justanotheridea

Any way to get the CALCULATOR to always show on top?

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