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Office Settings & Configuration

How to Show the Toolbar and Change Settings in OneNote Quick Notes

Anum MushtaqAnum Mushtaq Oct 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to display the toolbar and access settings like always-on-top in OneNote Quick Notes after a recent application update.

How to Show the Toolbar and Change Settings in OneNote Quick Notes
Product
Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Trying to customize or access the toolbar in the Quick Notes interface after a software update.
Observed behavior
The toolbar is hidden or inaccessible by default in the new Quick Notes window, requiring steps to reveal the settings menu.
Before you start

Ensure you are using the latest version of OneNote for Windows, as UI elements like the three-dot menu depend on recent application updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Access the Toolbar via the Three Dots Menu

Use the built-in menu in the Quick Notes window to reveal the toolbar and configure options like always-on-top.

In recent updates to OneNote, Microsoft has simplified the Quick Notes interface. The traditional toolbar is now tucked away behind a menu to provide a cleaner, distraction-free note-taking experience.

1
Open a Quick Note

Launch OneNote and open a new Quick Notes window, or use the Windows + Alt + N keyboard shortcut.

2
Locate the Settings Menu

Look at the very top of the Quick Notes window and click on the three horizontal dots (...) to open the options menu.

3
Show Toolbar

From the dropdown menu, select the option to display the toolbar or adjust additional Quick Notes options such as pinning the note to the top of your screen.

Access the Toolbar via the Three Dots Menu
Always on Top: You can keep your Quick Note visible while working in other applications by selecting 'Always on Top' from this same three-dot menu.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Quick Notes toolbar disappear in OneNote?

Microsoft occasionally updates the OneNote interface to make it cleaner. The toolbar is now tucked behind the three-dot menu at the top of the Quick Notes window to save space.

How do I keep my Quick Note always on top of other windows?

Click the three dots at the top of the Quick Note window, then select the 'Always on Top' option from the menu. This ensures your note stays visible while you work in other applications.

What is the shortcut to open a Quick Note in Windows?

You can instantly open a new Quick Note from anywhere in Windows by pressing the Windows logo key + Alt + N simultaneously.