Make Sticky Notes Stay on Windows Desktop with 2 Easy Steps
This guide from the Windows Client Tutorials will show you how to Make Sticky Notes Stay on Windows Desktop. Sticky Notes can launch at startup in Windows. You can easily follow the steps below to see how to Make Sticky Notes Stay on Windows Desktop and open Sticky Notes at startup.
When you are done working with your Sticky notes, do not close the sticky note window. You need to leave it open when you want to shut down your Windows. With this option, every time you shut down and start your Windows you have your Sticky notes stay on the desktop.
For some reason, this may not work. In that case, you can add Sticky Notes to the startup manually. To Make Sticky Notes Stay on Windows Desktop, follow the steps below.
Step 1 – Add Sticky Notes to the Windows Desktop Startup Folder
Startup Folder stores applications that launch automatically when Windows starts. To add Sticky notes to this folder, do the following tasks:
First, you need to press Win + R and type shell:startup in the Run dialog, and click Ok.

This opens a folder containing all the applications that launch at startup.
Then, you need to press Windows to open the Start menu. Now scroll down and find Sticky Notes in the list. Drag and drop Sticky Notes into the Startup folder.

Finally, close File Explorer and restart your computer. Sticky Notes should now open at startup on a Windows desktop.
Step 2 – Make Sticky Notes Open on Windows Desktop with Task Scheduler
There is an alternative method that you can make your sticky notes open on startup. To do this, follow the steps below:
First, you need to open Task Scheduler. From your search bar, you can find it and open the app.
Then, from the action panel click on Create Basic Task.

Next, give a name to your task and click Next.

Now check the box next to When I log on and click Next.

At this point, choose Start a Program and click Next.

In the Program/script field, type the following path:
C:WindowsSystem32cmd.exe
In the Add arguments (optional) field, copy and paste the following command:
/c start shell:appsfolderMicrosoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App
And click Next.

Finally, review your settings and click Finish.

The Task Scheduler will now run Sticky Notes each time you log in. This way, Sticky Notes launches automatically at startup.
Conclusion
At this point, you have learned to Make Sticky Notes Stay on Windows Desktop. The easiest way is to not close the sticky note app. But if it doesn’t work, you can easily use Startup Folder or Task Scheduler to make your sticky notes open.
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Alternative Solutions to Keep Sticky Notes on Your Desktop
While the methods outlined above are effective, here are a couple of alternative approaches to ensure your Sticky Notes are always available on your Windows desktop:
1. Using PowerShell Script in Startup Folder
This method provides a more robust way to launch Sticky Notes at startup, especially if you encounter issues with the standard Startup folder method. Instead of directly dragging the Sticky Notes application, you create a PowerShell script and place it in the Startup folder.
Explanation:
PowerShell allows you to execute commands and scripts within the Windows environment. By creating a script that specifically launches Sticky Notes, you gain greater control over the launch process. This method is useful because it explicitly tells the system how to start the application, reducing the likelihood of errors.
Steps:
-
Create a new text file: Open Notepad or any text editor.
-
Enter the PowerShell script: Paste the following code into the text file:
Start-Process "C:Program FilesWindowsAppsMicrosoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_8wekyb3d8bbweStickyNotes.exe"
Note: The path to StickyNotes.exe may vary slightly depending on your Windows version and installation. You can find the exact path by searching for "Sticky Notes" in the Start Menu, right-clicking, selecting "More," and then "Open file location." This will usually lead you to a shortcut. Right-click the shortcut, select "Properties," and copy the "Target" field. You might need to adjust the script accordingly.
-
Save the file with a .ps1 extension: Save the file as
StickyNotesStartup.ps1
. Choose "All Files" for the "Save as type" option. -
Open the Startup folder: Press Win + R, type
shell:startup
, and press Enter. -
Move the .ps1 file to the Startup folder: Drag and drop the
StickyNotesStartup.ps1
file into the Startup folder.
Now, restart your computer. The PowerShell script will execute at startup, launching Sticky Notes. This method can be more reliable than directly placing the application shortcut in the Startup folder.
2. Using a Registry Entry
Another method involves modifying the Windows Registry to automatically launch Sticky Notes at startup. This is a more advanced technique, so proceed with caution. Incorrectly editing the registry can cause system instability. It’s highly recommended to back up your registry before making any changes.
Explanation:
The Windows Registry is a database that stores low-level settings for the operating system and applications. By adding an entry to the "Run" key in the registry, you can instruct Windows to launch a specific application every time the user logs in.
Steps:
-
Open the Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type
regedit
, and press Enter. -
Navigate to the Run key: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun
-
Create a new string value: Right-click in the right-hand pane, select "New," and then "String Value."
-
Name the new value: Name the new string value
StickyNotes
. -
Modify the string value: Double-click the
StickyNotes
value to open the "Edit String" dialog. -
Enter the path to Sticky Notes: In the "Value data" field, enter the following command:
C:WindowsSystem32cmd.exe /c start shell:appsfolderMicrosoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_8wekyb3d8bbwe!App
Note: Similar to the Task Scheduler method, this uses the command line to launch the Sticky Notes application. The
shell:appsfolder
command ensures that the application is launched correctly, even if the file path changes. -
Click OK: Close the "Edit String" dialog and the Registry Editor.
Restart your computer. Sticky Notes should now launch automatically when you log in.
Caution: Modifying the registry can be risky. Always back up your registry before making any changes. If you are not comfortable editing the registry, it’s best to use one of the other methods described in this article.
These alternative methods provide more options to Make Sticky Notes Stay on Windows Desktop, ensuring you never lose your important notes. Remember to choose the method that best suits your technical skill level and comfort.