How to Customize the Microsoft Sticky Notes App Window (Windows 11)

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This tutorial covers:

  1. How to Resize the Sticky Notes App Window With Mouse
  2. How to Resize the Sticky Notes App With Menu
  3. How to Minimize the Notes List With Click
  4. How to Minimize a Sticky Note With Click
  5. How to Minimize the Sticky Notes App With Menu
  6. How to Minimize the Sticky Notes App With Right Click
  7. How to Minimize the Sticky Notes App With Start
  8. How to Minimize the Sticky Notes App With Keyboard Shortcut
  9. How to Minimize a Sticky Note From the Notes List
  10. How to Minimize a Sticky Note From the Notes List With Right Click
  11. How to Maximize a Sticky Notes App
  12. How to Restore the Sticky Notes App With Double Click
  13. How to Restore the Sticky Notes App With Menu
  14. How to Show All Notes With Right Click
  15. How to Show All Notes With Start
  16. How to Move the Sticky Notes App Window With Mouse
  17. How to Move the Sticky Notes App Window With Menu
  18. How to Change App Theme Color With Start
  19. How to Change App Theme Color With Notes List
  20. How to Change App Theme Color With Right Click
  21. How to Close Sticky Notes App With Click
  22. How to Close Sticky Notes App With Hover
  23. How to Close Sticky Notes App With Right Click
  24. How to Close Sticky Notes App With Hover and Right Click
  25. How to Close Sticky Notes App With Keyboard Shortcuts

Instead of scrolling, click through the tutorial presentation above!

More of a visual learner? Watch the tutorial video here:




 

How to Resize the Sticky Notes App Window With Mouse

In the left image, the double sided arrow cursor hovers over the middle right edge of the Notes list window. In the right image, the double sided arrow cursor hovers over the middle right edge of the sticky note window.


  • Step 2: After the cursor becomes a double sided arrow, click, hold, and drag the mouse to resize the window. Release the mouse to stop resizing the window.

In the first two images, the top image displays the double sided arrow cursor clicking and dragging the middle right edge of the Notes list window. A blue arrow points to the right. The image below displays the resized Notes list window that is longer than the window in the top image. In the second set of images, the top image displays the double sided arrow cursor clicking and dragging the middle right edge of the sticky note window. A blue arrow points to the right. The image below displays the resized sticky note window that is longer than the window in the top image.



How to Resize the Sticky Notes App With Menu

  • Step 1: Go down to the taskbar and hover over the opened Sticky Notes app icon.

The computer screen displays the Desktop with the open Notes list window on top. The cursor hovers over the Sticky Notes app icon on the lower right side of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

  • Step 2: Two small windows appear above the Sticky Notes app icon (one is the Notes list and the other is the sticky note). Right click one of the windows.

The left image displays the open Notes list window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small Notes list window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The right image displays the open sticky note window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small sticky note window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Size".

The left image displays a menu to the lower right of the open Notes list window. The cursor clicks the "Size" option in the menu. The right image displays a menu to the lower right of the sticky note window. The cursor clicks the "Size" option in the menu.

  • Step 4: Hover the 4 arrows cursor over any edge/corner of the Notes list or sticky note. Click, hold, and drag to resize the window. Release the mouse to stop resizing the window.
In the first set of images, the top image displays the four arrows cursor clicking and dragging the middle right side of the Notes list window. A blue arrow points to the right. The image below displays the resized Notes list window that is longer than the window in the top image. In the second set of images, the top image displays the four arrows cursor clicking and dragging the middle right side of the sticky note window. A blue arrow points to the right. The image below displays the resized sticky note window that is longer than the window in the top image.



How to Minimize the Notes List With Click

  • Step 1: First open any other window or app, such as the Microsoft Store or Microsoft Word. Open the Sticky Notes app to open the Notes list.

The computer screen displays the open Microsoft store window. On top of the Microsoft store window is the open Notes list window.

  • Step 2: Click anywhere outside the Notes list. The Notes list minimizes and does not display on the computer screen.
The top image displays the open Microsoft Store window in the background and the open Notes list window in the foreground. The cursor clicks outside the Notes list window in the Microsoft Store window. The image below displays only the open Microsoft Store window, as the Notes list window minimizes and does not display on the screen.



How to Minimize a Sticky Note With Click

  • Step 1: First open the Notes list, and then open a sticky note (see the previous tutorial). Click anywhere inside the Notes list. The sticky note minimizes and remains behind the Notes list window.

The left image displays the open Notes list in the background with the open sticky note window in the foreground. The cursor clicks outside the sticky note window and inside the Notes list window. The right image displays only the open Notes list window as the sticky note window minimizes and does not display on the screen.



How to Minimize the Sticky Notes App With Menu

 The computer screen displays the Desktop with the open Notes list window on top. The cursor hovers over the Sticky Notes app icon on the lower right side of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: Two small windows appear above the Sticky Notes app icon (one is the Notes list and the other is the sticky note). Right click either window.

The left image displays the open Notes list window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small Notes list window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The right image displays the open sticky note window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small sticky note window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Minimize". The right clicked window minimizes and does not display on the computer screen.

In the first two images, the left image displays a menu to the lower right of the open Notes list window. The cursor clicks the "Minimize" option in the menu. The right image displays only the open sticky note window as the Notes list minimizes and does not display on the screen. In the second set of images, the top image displays a menu to the lower right of the sticky note window. The cursor clicks the "Minimize" option in the menu. The bottom image displays the empty Desktop as the sticky note window minimizes and does not display on the screen.

 

 

 How to Minimize the Sticky Notes App With Right Click

  • Step 1: After opening the Sticky Notes app, go down to the taskbar and right click the Sticky Notes app icon.

The computer screen displays the Desktop in the background and the open Notes list window in the foreground. The cursor right clicks the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Hide all notes". Both the Notes list and any sticky notes minimize and do not display on the computer screen.

The top image displays the open Notes list window with five open sticky note windows. The cursor clicks the "Hide all notes" option in the menu above the Sticky Notes app icon in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The second image displays the empty Desktop as the Notes list and sticky note windows minimize and do not display on the screen.



How to Minimize the Sticky Notes App With Start

  • Step 1: Go down to the taskbar and click the Start (four blue squares) button.

The computer screen displays the Desktop. The cursor clicks the Start button in the lower left of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

  • Step 2: In the Start window that opens, click in the search bar at the top and type "sticky notes".

The image displays the Start window. The cursor clicks inside the search bar at the top of the window.

  • Step 3: On the search results screen, go to the middle right side and click "Hide all notes". Both the Notes list and any sticky notes minimize and do not display on the computer screen.

The top image displays the search results screen in the foreground, and the Notes list and five sticky notes in the background. The cursor clicks the "Hide all notes" option on the middle right side of the search results screen. The bottom image displays the empty Desktop as the Notes list and five sticky note windows minimize and do not display on the screen.

 

 

How to Minimize the Sticky Notes App With Keyboard Shortcut

  • Step 1: After opening the Sticky Notes app, on the keyboard press Ctrl + O. Both the Notes list and any sticky notes minimize and do not display on the computer screen.
The top image displays the open Notes list and five sticky note windows in the foreground, with the Desktop in the background. A graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + O" appears on top of the upper left sticky note window. The bottom image displays the empty Desktop as the Notes list and five sticky note windows minimize and do not display on the screen.



How to Minimize a Sticky Note From the Notes List

  • Step 1: Open the Notes list and a sticky note (see the previous tutorial). Click inside the sticky note and type any text. At the top of the sticky note window, click, hold, drag, and release the mouse to move the sticky note anywhere outside the Notes list.

The image displays the Desktop in the background and an open sticky note and Notes list window in the foreground. The edited sticky note reads "This note has been edited", and the sticky note is to the left of the Notes list window.

  • Step 2: Click the "Menu" or "..." button on the far right side of a sticky note in the Notes list.

The computer screen displays the Desktop in the background and the open sticky note and Notes list in the foreground. The cursor clicks the "Menu" or "..." button that is on the far right side of the sticky note inside the Notes list.

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Close note". The sticky note minimizes and does not appear on the computer screen.
The top image displays the computer screen with the Desktop in the background and the sticky note and Notes list in the foreground. The cursor clicks the "Close note" option in the menu that appears on top of the sticky note inside the Notes list. The bottom image displays the Desktop in the background with only the Notes list in the foreground, as the sticky note minimizes and does not appear on the screen.


 

How to Minimize a Sticky Note From the Notes List With Right Click

  • Step 1: Open the Notes list and a sticky note (see the previous tutorial). Click inside the sticky note and type any text. At the top of the sticky note window, click, hold, drag, and release the mouse to move the sticky note anywhere outside the Notes list.

The image displays the Desktop in the background and an open sticky note and Notes list window in the foreground. The edited sticky note reads "This note has been edited", and the sticky note is to the left of the Notes list window.

 

  • Step 2: Right click a sticky note in the Notes list.

The computer screen displays the Desktop in the background and the sticky note and Notes list in the foreground. The cursor right clicks the sticky note inside the Notes list.

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Close note". The sticky note minimizes and does not appear on the computer screen.
    The top image displays the Desktop in the background and the sticky note and Notes list in the foreground. The cursor clicks the "Close note" option in the menu above the sticky note in the Notes list. The bottom image displays the Desktop in the background with only the Notes list in the foreground, as the sticky note minimizes and does not appear on the screen.

 

 

How to Maximize the Sticky Notes App

The computer screen displays the Desktop with the open Notes list window on top. The cursor hovers over the Sticky Notes app icon on the lower right side of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: Two windows appear above the Sticky Notes app icon (one is the Notes list and the other is the sticky note). Right click either window.

The left image displays the open Notes list window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small Notes list window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The right image displays the open sticky note window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small sticky note window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Maximize". The right clicked window maximizes and occupies the entire screen.

In the first two images, the top image displays a menu to the lower right of the Notes list. The cursor clicks the "Maximize" option in the menu. The bottom image displays the maximized Notes list window that occupies the entire screen. In the second set of images, the top image displays a menu to the lower right of the Notes list. The cursor clicks the "Maximize" option in the menu. The bottom image displays the maximized sticky note window that occupies the entire screen.

 

 

How to Restore the Sticky Notes App With Double Click

In the first two images, the top image displays the cursor double clicking the top of the maximized Notes list window. The bottom image displays the Desktop in the background and a restored, smaller Notes list window in the foreground. In the second set of images, the top image displays the cursor double clicking the top of the maximized sticky note window. The bottom image displays the Desktop in the background and a smaller, restored sticky note window and a Notes list window in the foreground.


 

How to Restore the Sticky Notes App With Menu 

The top image displays the maximized Notes list window, with the cursor hovering over the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The bottom image displays the maximized sticky note window with the cursor hovering over the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.


  • Step 2: Two windows appear above the Sticky Notes app icon (one is the Notes list and the other is the sticky note). Right click either window.

The top image displays the maximized Notes list in the background. The cursor right clicks the small Notes list window towards the bottom of the screen. The bottom image displays the maximized sticky note window in the background. The cursor right clicks the small sticky note window towards the bottom of the screen.

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Restore". The window that was right clicked is restored to its original size before being maximized.

In the first two images, the top image displays a menu to the lower right of the maximized Notes list window. The cursor clicks the "Restore" option in the menu. The bottom image displays the Desktop in the background with the smaller, restored Notes list in the foreground. In the second set of images, the top image displays a menu to the lower right of the maximized sticky note window. The cursor clicks the "Restore" option in the menu. The bottom image displays the Desktop in the background and the smaller, restored sticky note window and the Notes list window in the foreground.

 

 

How to Show All Notes With Right Click

 The computer screen displays the Desktop in the background and the open Notes list window in the foreground. The cursor right clicks the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Show all notes". Both the Notes list and any sticky notes open up on the Desktop.
    The top image displays a menu above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The cursor clicks the "Show all notes" option in the menu. The bottom image displays the Desktop in the background with the open Notes list and five sticky note windows in the foreground.



How to Show All Notes With Start

  • Step 1: First minimize or hide all notes. Go down to the taskbar and click the Start (four blue squares) button.

 The computer screen displays the Desktop. The cursor clicks the Start button in the lower left of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: In the Start window that opens, click in the search bar at the top and type "sticky notes".

 The image displays the Start window. The cursor clicks inside the search bar at the top of the window.

 

  • Step 3: On the search results screen, go to the lower right side and click "Show all notes". Both the Notes list and any sticky notes open up on the Desktop.
In the top image, the cursor clicks the "Show all notes" option on the lower right side of the search results window. The bottom image displays the Desktop in the background with the open Notes list and five sticky notes in the foreground.



How to Move the Sticky Notes App Window With Mouse

  • Step 1: Open the Sticky Notes app. At the top of the Notes list or a sticky note, click, hold, and drag the mouse to move the window. Release the mouse to stop moving the window.
In the first two images, the top image displays the cursor clicking and dragging the top of the Notes list window. A blue arrow points to the right. The bottom image displays the Notes list window moved to the right on the Desktop. In the second set of images, the top image displays the cursor clicking and dragging the top of the sticky note window. A blue arrow points to the right. The bottom image displays the sticky notes window moved to the right on the Desktop.


 

How to Move the Sticky Notes App Window With Menu

The computer screen displays the Desktop with the open Notes list window on top. The cursor hovers over the Sticky Notes app icon on the lower right side of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: Two windows appear above the Sticky Notes app icon (one is the Notes list and the other is the sticky note). Right click either window.

The left image displays the open Notes list window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small Notes list window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The right image displays the open sticky note window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small sticky note window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Move".

The left image displays a menu to the lower right of the Notes list window. The cursor clicks the "Move" option in the menu. The right image displays a menu to the lower right of the open Notes list and sticky note window. The cursor clicks the "Move" option in the menu.

  • Step 4: Click, hold, and drag the 4 arrows cursor at the top of the Notes list or sticky note window to move it. Release the mouse to stop moving the window.

In the first two images, the top image displays the 4 arrows cursor clicking and dragging the top of the Notes list window. A blue arrow points to the right. The bottom image displays the Notes list moved to the right on the Desktop. In the second set of images, the top image displays the 4 arrows cursor clicking and dragging the top of the sticky note window. A blue arrow points to the right. The bottom image displays the sticky note moved to the right on the Desktop.

 

 

How to Change App Theme Color With Start

  • Step 1: Go down to the taskbar and click the Start (four blue squares) button.

The computer screen displays the Desktop. The cursor clicks the Start button in the lower left of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: In the Start window that opens, click in the search bar at the top and type "sticky notes".

The image displays the Start window. The cursor clicks inside the search bar at the top of the window.

 

  • Step 3: On the search results screen, go to the middle right side and click "Settings".

The cursor clicks the "Settings" option on the middle right side of the search results window.

  • Step 4: In the Sticky Notes Settings window that opens, under the "Color" section click to choose "Light", "Dark", or "Use my Windows mode".

The top image displays the Sticky Notes app Settings window. Under the "Color" section, a blue rectangle outline highlights the three options of "Light", "Dark", and "Use my Windows mode". The bottom image displays the dark mode version of the Notes list and a sticky note.

 


How to Change App Theme Color With Notes List

  • Step 1: First open the Notes list. Go to the upper right of the Notes list window and click the "Settings" or gear button.

The cursor clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the upper right of the Notes list.

  • Step 2: In the Settings window that opens, under the "Color" section click to choose "Light", "Dark", or "Use my Windows mode".

The top image displays the Sticky Notes app Settings window. Under the "Color" section, a blue rectangle outline highlights the three options of "Light", "Dark", and "Use my Windows mode". The bottom image displays the dark mode version of the Notes list and a sticky note.



How to Change App Theme Color With Right Click

  • Step 1: Go down to the taskbar and right click either the open or pinned Sticky Notes app icon.

The computer screen displays the Desktop in the background and the open Notes list window in the foreground. The cursor right clicks the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Settings".

A menu appears above the Sticky Notes app icon in the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The cursor clicks the "Settings" option in the menu.


  • Step 3: In the Settings window that opens, under the "Color" section click to choose "Light", "Dark", or "Use my Windows mode".

The top image displays the Sticky Notes app Settings window. Under the "Color" section, a blue rectangle outline highlights the three options of "Light", "Dark", and "Use my Windows mode". The bottom image displays the dark mode version of the Notes list and a sticky note.


How to Close Sticky Notes App With Click

  • Step 1: After opening the Sticky Notes app, go to the upper right of the Notes list or sticky note window and click the "Close" or "X" button. The window closes.
In the first two images, the left image displays the cursor clicking the "Close" or "X" button in the upper right of the Notes list window. The right image displays the Desktop with only an open sticky note window as the Notes list closes. In the second set of images, the left image displays the cursor clicking the "Close" or "X" button in the upper right of the sticky note window. The right image displays the empty Desktop as the sticky note window closes.



How to Close Sticky Notes App With Hover

The computer screen displays the Desktop with the open Notes list window on top. The cursor hovers over the Sticky Notes app icon on the lower right side of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: Two windows appear above the Sticky Notes app icon (one is the Notes list and the other is the sticky note). Go to the upper right of either window and click the "Close" or "X" button. The corresponding window closes.
In the first two images, the left image displays two small windows above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The cursor clicks the "Close" or "X" button in the upper right of the small Notes list window. The right image displays the Desktop with only the sticky note window as the Notes list window closes. In the second set of images, the left image displays one small window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The cursor clicks the "Close" or "X" on the upper right of the small window. The right image displays the empty Desktop as the sticky note window closes.



How to Close Sticky Notes App With Right Click

 The computer screen displays the Desktop in the background and the open Notes list window in the foreground. The cursor right clicks the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Close window" if only one window is open, or "Close all windows" if multiple windows are open. The windows close.
In the first two images, the left image displays an open Notes list with a sticky note on the Desktop. A menu appears above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The cursor clicks the "Close all windows" option in the menu. The right image displays the open Notes list window without a sticky note on the Desktop. A menu appears above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The cursor clicks the "Close window" option in the menu. The bottom image displays the empty Desktop as all windows close.



How to Close Sticky Notes App With Hover and Right Click

The computer screen displays the Desktop with the open Notes list window on top. The cursor hovers over the Sticky Notes app icon on the lower right side of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

 

  • Step 2: Two windows appear above the Sticky Notes app icon (one is the Notes list and the other is the sticky note). Right click either window.

The left image displays the open Notes list window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small Notes list window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The right image displays the open sticky note window on the Desktop. The cursor right clicks the small sticky note window above the Sticky Notes app icon on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.


  • Step 3: In the menu that opens, click "Close". The right clicked window closes.
In the first two images, the left image displays a menu to the lower right side of the Notes list. The cursor clicks the "Close" option in the menu. The right image displays a sticky note window on the Desktop as the Notes list closes. In the second set of images, the left image displays a menu to the lower right of the sticky note window. The cursor clicks the "Close" option in the menu. The right image displays the empty Desktop as the sticky note window closes.



How to Close Sticky Notes App With Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Method 1: Open the Sticky Notes app. On the keyboard press Alt + F4 (some computers accept this shortcut as Fn +  Alt + F4). The current window closes.

In the first two images, the left image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + F4" at the bottom of the Notes list window. The right image displays a sticky note on the Desktop as the Notes list window closes. In the second set of images, the left image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Alt + F4" on the bottom of the sticky note window. The right image displays the empty Desktop as the sticky note window closes.

  • Method 2: After opening the Sticky Notes app, on the keyboard press Ctrl + W. The current window closes. 

The top left image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + W" on an edited sticky note with the text of "This note has been edited", and the top right image displays the Notes list as the sticky note closes. The bottom left image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + W" on the Notes list and the bottom right image displays the empty Desktop as the Notes list closes.

 

 

Note: For edited sticky notes, Ctrl + W only closes the note. For unedited sticky notes, Ctrl + W both closes and deletes the note (see above).


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