With a few creative techniques, you can turn Windows Sticky Notes into a full-fledged productivity system, perfect for managing tasks, brainstorming ideas, and keeping everything at a glance.

1Color Code Tasks by Priority

Learninghow to use Windows Sticky Notes' best features is actually really easy. In fact, one of Sticky Notes’ best ways to use the app is for color coding tasks. I often use this to visually organize tasks based on their priority.

I’ll assign different colors to signify levels of urgency to different tasks, using Yellow for medium-priority tasks, Green for low-priority tasks, and Pink for high-priority and urgent tasks.

Multiple tasks listed on color coded Sticky Notes in Windows 11

Using a color-coded system makes it easy for me to identify which tasks need my immediate attention. This helps me focus on the most important and high-priority tasks first.

2Use Your Desktop as a Kanban Board

If you’re familiar with Kanban boards, you’ll know they’re fantastic for organizing tasks in different stages.

You can set up a digital version on your desktop with Sticky Notes by creating a note for each stage. I tend to create notes like “Planning,” “In-Progress,” and “Completed.”

A makeshift Kanban board made using Windows Sticky Notes

Then, as I work on tasks, I move them around the board to different sections.

This setup provides a simple visual representation of your workflow, so you’ll know exactly where everything stands at any moment. If you want to take things a step further, though, you can alwayscreate a kanban board on Trello.

An Idea note made using Windows Sticky Notes

3Jot Down Ideas to Sort Later

When inspiration strikes, you won’t always have time to fully develop an idea. When this happens, I use Sticky Notes as a quick-capture tool to jot down any ideas as they come to mind.

I like to keep an “Idea” note somewhere on my desktop that I can easily jot down. Then, when I feel like developing the idea, I just need to pull it out of the note and get started.

Time Blocks created using Windows Sticky Notes on a Windows desktop

This approach ensures that no idea gets lost while keeping your mind free for your current tasks.

4Create Visual Time Blocks for Specific Tasks

If you’re a fan of time blocking, Sticky Notes can help you create a visual schedule on your desktop.

Start by assigning blocks of time to specific tasks throughout the day. This creates a virtual timeline of your work hours.

Microsoft OneNote closeup on a computer screen

For example, I like to break down my tasks here at MUO based on two-hour increments. So, if I have an article I need to write, I’ll allot an hour or two to that.

Then, if I have any edits that need to be handled, I can easily slot those into a time block, too. It’s also helpful to color-core the tasks to indicate if they are meetings, in-depth work, or even breaks.

This method helps you stay on schedule, visually reminding you of what task is next and when breaks or transitions occur.

5Take Advantage of More Features in OneNote’s Sticky Notes App

Microsoft pushed out a new version of Sticky Notes directly in OneNote with the Windows 2024 update.

This version features advanced options like cross-device syncing. you’re able to also pin notes directly to different windows and apps.

If you like the idea of using Sticky Notes to up your own productivity, but find the default app is missing some features you want, then I recommend trying out OneNote.

You can add screenshots and automatically capture the source of your notes. There’s even a new keyboard shortcut (Win + Alt + S) you can use to access it at any time.

With just a few adjustments, you can quickly transform Windows Sticky Notes from a basic memo app into a highly effective productivity tool.