Why Edge Picture-in-Picture Floats Behind Other Windows

Quick fix: Edge’s built-in PiP doesn’t have an Always on Top button. Workaround: install Microsoft PowerToys from Microsoft Store. Enable Always on Top utility. Set hotkey (default Win + Ctrl + T). Open Edge PiP video, press hotkey — video stays on top of all windows.

You start a YouTube video in Edge’s Picture-in-Picture mode. Click another window. PiP video floats but goes behind. Should always stay on top. The cause: Edge’s PiP doesn’t default to topmost. Use PowerToys to force it.

What causes this

Edge’s PiP shows a floating video. Default behavior depends on Edge version. Older versions kept on top; some newer versions don’t consistently. PowerToys’ Always on Top utility solves this for any window.

Method 1: Use PowerToys Always on Top

The standard fix.

1. Install Microsoft PowerToys from Microsoft Store (free).
2. Launch PowerToys. Enable Always on Top module.
3. Set hotkey (default Win + Ctrl + T). Or pick another.
4. Open Edge. Start video. Click PiP icon (top-right of video) to detach to floating window.
5. With PiP video window focused, press hotkey. Window gets a colored border indicating Always on Top.
6. Now PiP stays on top of all other windows. Click elsewhere — PiP visible.
7. To disable per-window: focus window again, press hotkey to toggle off.
8. For multiple PiP videos: apply Always on Top to each.

This is the reliable fix.

Method 2: Verify Edge PiP settings

For Edge-specific options.

1. Open Edge Settings (edge://settings).
2. Search “Picture in Picture.”
3. Look for setting Show Picture in Picture toggle on video controls. Enable.
4. For pinning specific sites: right-click video → PiP. Or click PiP icon if visible.
5. Edge PiP window may have small “Pin” icon (looks like push-pin). Click to toggle always-on-top within Edge.
6. For PiP that’s missing the pin: not all Edge versions have it. Use Method 1.
7. For Chrome: similar PiP behavior. Chrome flag chrome://flags/#enable-picture-in-picture-windowing-api enables enhanced PiP.

Edge-internal options.

Method 3: Use Edge’s extension for PiP enhancement

For richer PiP experience.

1. Visit Edge Add-ons store. Search Picture-in-Picture Extension.
2. Install Picture-in-Picture Extension (by Google). Yes, made by Google for Chromium browsers.
3. After install: extension adds keyboard shortcut Alt + P to toggle PiP on any video, including those that don’t expose PiP control.
4. Or use WiPi (Web PiP) for some specific sites.
5. For VLC-style external player: stream from Edge to VLC via mpv or yt-dlp. Advanced but more control.
6. For PiP from local video files: open in Films & TV app, enable Mini Mode (similar to PiP).

This handles enhanced PiP needs.

How to verify the fix worked

• Open Edge PiP video. Apply PowerToys Always on Top (Win+Ctrl+T).
• Click other windows. PiP video stays on top.
• PowerToys: Settings → Always on Top → verify hotkey, list of always-on-top windows.

If none of these work

If PiP still goes behind: PowerToys not running: ensure PowerToys is in Settings → Apps → Startup with toggle on. For Group Policy disabling PiP: corporate PCs may restrict. For specific videos that won’t PiP: site uses DRM (Netflix, Disney+) that blocks PiP. No workaround. For pinned to second monitor: PiP on secondary may have different behavior. Move to primary. Last resort — third-party media player: VLC, mpv have native always-on-top for video. Stream YouTube via yt-dlp.

Bottom line: PowerToys Always on Top utility pins any window to top, including Edge PiP. Set hotkey (default Win+Ctrl+T). Apply to PiP video window for persistent topmost display.