Powertoys Always on Top not working over top of remote desktop

[ariccb]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.55.2

Running as admin

• Yes

Area(s) with issue?

Always on Top

Steps to reproduce

I can activate always on top properly on my local computer, and it works as intended. I used to be able to have an always on top activated window show above my remote desktop session however, which was great. I have in the past been able to use powertoys to do this.

✔️ Expected Behavior

Always on top activated windows show overtop even full screen, multi-display remote desktop sessions.

❌ Actual Behavior

they are being hidden, not able to see those windows at all

Other Software

No response

[shaymdev]

I have this issue too. I've found that if I un-fullscreen my remote desktop session into windowed mode, then re-maximize it to full screen the window will stay on top for the time being. This workaround seems to work with the built in RDP tool in windows but doesn't work with the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from the app store.

PowerToys: v0.57.0

[Camios]

I have this problem too. Workaround doesn't succeed for me (or maybe I didn't understand the steps).

[franky920920]

Seems like #15680 to me

[Camios]

#15680 is citrix whereas this issue is about windows remote desktop but they might both be related to powertoys always on too failing to work over the top of full screen apps like remote desktop.

[SeraphimaZykova]

In the 0.58 version will be a tool that could help us investigate the problem.

[scara1701]

In the 0.58 version will be a tool that could help us investigate the problem.

Hi SeraphimaZykova,
I've upgraded to 0.58 and also use Citrix Workspace in Fullscreen mode.
Are there any steps I can perform to help troubleshoot this issue?

[SeraphimaZykova]

Hi @scara1701. We've added a tool that can help to get the info about the window that causes the issue. It located in C:\Program Files\PowerToys\Tools\PowerToys.StylesReportTool.exe. Run the tool, then activate the desired window (which is placed over your pinned on top window). A file will be created on the desktop. You can share it here to help us investigate the issue.
Thanks!

[scara1701]

Hello @SeraphimaZykova ,

Please find the file attached.

Greetings,

Gwen

window_styles.txt

[SeraphimaZykova]

Hi @scara1701, thank you. The window you captured also has the WS_EX_TOPMOST style. When several windows are topmost, the last activated one will be higher.

[scara1701]

Ah, so I would have to find a way to remove the WS_EX_TOPMOST style from the Citrix cdviewer.exe process.

[timescott]

Please fix, my use case: keep zoom top of Citrix window while continuing to use Citrix in full screen mode.

[Jay-o-Way]

Is this still an issue with the latest version? /needinfo

[ghost]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has been marked as requiring author feedback but has not had any activity for 5 days. It will be closed if no further activity occurs within 5 days of this comment.

[shaymdev]

This is still an issue for me. I'm using Microsoft Remote Desktop from the windows store. My "always on top" windows do not stay on top of a full screen Remote Desktop session.

I've attached the output from the styles report tool. I see the WS_EX_TOPMOST is true... but I'm not sure I understand the implications.

window_styles.txt

[ghost]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has been marked as requiring author feedback but has not had any activity for 5 days. It will be closed if no further activity occurs within 5 days of this comment.

[scara1701]

Ah, so I would have to find a way to remove the WS_EX_TOPMOST style from the Citrix cdviewer.exe process.

I've created a small app that removes this flag from the Citrix Windows when it is maximized. Only caveat is that the other Topmost windows set by the powertoy don't jump back in front once this is done. Due to this I've also had to implement a routine to make other windows 'Topmost' when the Citrix window gets it Topmost status revoked.

Perhaps the tool can aid others in this thread which need a quick workaround: https://github.com/scara1701/CtxNotTopmost/releases

[ghost]

This issue has been automatically marked as stale because it has been marked as requiring author feedback but has not had any activity for 5 days. It will be closed if no further activity occurs within 5 days of this comment.

[shaymdev]

@Jay-o-Way do you need more info than has been provided recently?

[Jay-o-Way]

Don't know. @SeraphimaZykova is there anything more they can do?

[SeraphimaZykova]

As we found out earlier, this is due to the topmost style of the remote desktop window.
I don't think we can do anything about it. In the group of windows that have topmost property set to true, the window that is currently activated is the topmost window. One window cannot be "more topmost" than another.

[cadnav]

dang