What can we do with a window in Windows? We can change its position, move it across multiple monitors and virtual desktops, take advantage of snap features to reshape it, minimize and maximize… but not much more than that. Now, how about the possibility of converting windows into transparency layers, forcing them to the foreground, or configuring them to ignore all clicks? A small open-source app called Overlayer allows us to do all of that easily.
Microsoft's profile regarding Windows windows has always been conservative. From a certain point of view, this is not a bad thing, as it allows the user to maintain their muscle memory and familiarity with the graphical environment. However, the truth is that windows could add some useful features in the future, starting with independent control of transparency, or the ability to force the foreground (which depends on the support of the programs themselves under the stay on top label). Fortunately, a free and open-source tool called Overlayer offers exactly that.
Transform Windows into Transparent Layers with Overlayer
Overlayer is a development by PsychedelicShayna on GitHub, and its goal is to improve the flexibility of traditional windows with three commands: Stay on top mandatory, activate clickthrough (i.e., ignore clicks and commands as if the cursor were not there), and enable transparency. The first step is to find the window in the list, or use the Grab Window command. Then we select that same window in the Overlayer interface and click Make Active so it responds to the functions. Finally, we click again on the desired function, or customize the intensity of the transparency.
The clickthrough mode supports keyboard shortcuts that we can configure to our liking, but personally I think the most useful thing about Overlayer is undoubtedly transparency. Think of all the applications and games that could benefit from this: Instead of struggling with Alt-Tab, a semi-transparent window with the content you need could be more than enough. Now, not all applications will respond well to Overlayer's modification, but we didn't encounter any serious errors during our tests. Download a copy!
Official site and download: Click here
