The quick answer: to show an always-on clock on your Windows desktop, try a fullscreen browser clock first
There are two ways to put a big, always-on clock on your Windows desktop. One is to install a dedicated desktop clock app; the other is to open a clock website and make it fullscreen in your browser. The fastest path is the second one. It needs no install and no admin rights: open a clock page, press F11, and you have a full-screen digital clock you can drop onto a spare monitor.
Below, we cover the free native clock apps fairly, then walk through the browser-clock setup in detail (fullscreen, sending it to a second display, and turning it into an installed PWA). We also cover the built-in Windows 11 widgets and the practical caveats around burn-in and power settings, so you end up with a clock that just stays on screen.
The fastest method: open a clock in your browser and press F11 for fullscreen
Here is the shortest route. Open a clock page in Microsoft Edge (or Chrome), which ships with Windows, and press F11. The tabs and address bar disappear and you get a full-screen digital clock. On some laptops you may need Fn + F11. Press F11 again to exit fullscreen.
- Open a clock page in your browser (for example, our Focus Clock).
- Press F11 to go fullscreen.
- Press F11 again to exit.
F11 is the standard fullscreen shortcut across Edge, Chrome, and Firefox. Because no install or admin rights are involved, this works even on locked-down work laptops where you cannot freely install software. That zero-install nature is the browser clock's biggest advantage.
Native clock app vs. fullscreen browser clock: which should you choose?
If all you want is a clock on screen, you do not necessarily need a dedicated app. Here is an honest comparison. A native app can run in the background and launch on startup, but it costs you an install, updates, and a background process. A browser clock is instant and permission-free, but it disappears when you close the browser.
Factor | Native clock app | Fullscreen browser clock |
|---|---|---|
Install | Required (Microsoft Store, etc.) | None (just open a URL) |
Admin rights | Sometimes required | Not required |
Runs in background / on startup | Yes (can add to Startup) | Closes with the browser |
Updates | Update each app yourself | The site updates itself |
Move to another display | Depends on the app | Just send the window over |
Speed to first clock | Slower (setup needed) | Seconds |
Pick the browser clock if you want a big clock right now, cannot install software on a work PC, or only need it on demand. Pick a native app if you want the clock to launch automatically every time Windows starts, or sit small near the system tray. The next section covers the free native apps fairly.
Free Windows desktop clock apps (a fair rundown)
If you want a clock that stays resident and launches on startup, here are free options. All are available from the Microsoft Store or a download site. Detailed settings differ per app, so follow each app's own instructions after installing.
- fClock — a simple desktop clock with adjustable transparency, size, and color, free on the Microsoft Store.
- Floating Clock — shows a real-time clock floating on your desktop (Microsoft Store).
- Desktop Widget Digital Clock — a digital clock widget where you can change the font, position, and background color or image, with dark-mode support (Microsoft Store).
- 8GadgetPack — a free tool that brings back the old Windows Vista/7 sidebar gadgets (including clocks) on Windows 10/11.
If you value an always-resident clock, a native app is the dependable choice. Just remember to confirm the source is trustworthy and uninstall anything you no longer use.
Show a clock with Windows 11's built-in features (widgets / taskbar)
You can also add a clock using Windows 11's built-in features alone, without installing anything. It is convenient, but not suited to a large, fullscreen display.
- Widgets board — open the widgets board from the taskbar icon (or Win + W) to show a simple clock alongside weather and news. It is not designed to be pinned permanently to the desktop or heavily customized.
- Show seconds on the taskbar clock — go to Settings > Personalization > Taskbar > Taskbar behaviors to show seconds on the system-tray clock. The time is always in the corner, but it is small.
If you want something bigger, easier to read, and out of your way, you will end up back at either a dedicated app or a fullscreen browser clock. The next section covers how to make a browser clock stay on screen.
Four ways to make a browser clock stay always-on
The browser clock's one weakness is that it disappears when you close the browser. The flip side: if you simply leave it open, it becomes an always-on clock. Here are four practical ways to park it out of your way.
1. Go fullscreen with F11
This is the simplest. Open a clock site and press F11 for a screen-filling clock. If you have a second monitor you are not actively using, place the clock tab there and make it fullscreen so the time is always in your peripheral vision. For a setup focused specifically on turning a second monitor into a clock, see how to turn your second monitor into an aesthetic desk clock.
2. Send the window to another display
On a dual-monitor setup, you can move the clock window to the next display in one shortcut. With the window selected, press Win + Shift + Left/Right Arrow to move it to the adjacent monitor while keeping its size and state. If it does not work, check that Settings > System > Multitasking > "Snap windows" is on. Press F11 on the destination screen and the whole second monitor becomes your clock.
3. Install it as a PWA for a standalone window
If the site is a Progressive Web App (PWA) — like our Focus Clock — you can treat it like a standalone app instead of a browser tab. Desktop PWA installation is supported by Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chromebooks. Once installed, it opens in its own window with no address bar, and an icon is added to the Start menu so you can launch it with one click next time.
- Open the clock page in Chrome or Edge.
- Click the install icon on the right side of the address bar (or "Install as app" from the menu).
- After installing, launch it from the Start menu icon.
Now a no-install browser clock behaves almost like a native app. Because it is a PWA, it stays lightweight and updates automatically whenever the site is updated.
4. Create a desktop shortcut for one-click launch
Even without a PWA, you can choose "More tools" > "Create shortcut" from the browser menu to put an icon on your desktop. Tick "Open as window" so it opens in its own window instead of a tab. Then send that window to your second monitor and press F11 — one click brings your clock straight up.
Always-on caveats: burn-in, power settings, and auto-sleep
If you are going to leave a clock on screen for hours, mind a few display-side details. To be honest, this applies whether you use a browser clock or a native app.
- Burn-in (image retention) — OLED displays can retain a faint image when the same content stays in the same place for a long time. Choose a clock whose background or digits shift slowly, or turn the screen off periodically. LCD panels (IPS, etc.) are far less prone to burn-in, but avoiding very long static displays is still safer.
- Power saving and auto-sleep — if Windows turns the display off after a set idle time, your clock goes with it. To keep it on, go to Settings > System > Power and extend the display-off time or set it to "Never." This increases power draw, so be careful on laptop battery.
- Time accuracy — when a browser tab is inactive, the browser may throttle its timers and the displayed time can drift. Our Focus Clock keeps time with a Web Worker, so it stays accurate even when the tab is in the background.
These matter precisely because you intend to leave the clock running. If you only show it on demand, there is no need to be too cautious.
Better still: turn a spare device into a desk clock
If you have an old phone, a tablet, or a spare PC lying around, you can make it a dedicated clock. That gives you a big clock that saves desk space and frees your main screen from being taken over by the time.
- On a Mac — you can use StandBy, which shows a clock while the Mac charges. See how to set up an aesthetic Mac StandBy clock.
- With an old phone or tablet — stand it on a landscape stand and use it as a desk clock. We cover this in detail in how to reuse an old iPhone or Android as a desk clock.
On any device, you can turn it into a clock just by opening a clock site and going fullscreen — that flexibility is the browser clock's real strength.
Frequently asked questions
Can I show an always-on clock on Windows for free?
Yes. Opening a clock site in your browser and pressing F11 for fullscreen needs no install and costs nothing. Many desktop clock apps on the Microsoft Store are also free.
Is there a way to show a clock without installing anything?
Yes. Open a clock page in Microsoft Edge (or Chrome), which comes with Windows, and press F11. No install or admin rights are required, which makes it easy to use even on a managed work PC.
How do I make a browser clock fullscreen?
With the clock page open, press the F11 key. On some laptops you may need Fn + F11. Press F11 again to exit fullscreen.
Can I keep the clock on screen after closing the browser?
Closing the browser hides it. To keep it always on, leave the browser open, or install a PWA-enabled clock so it launches as a standalone window. If you want it resident and auto-starting, a native desktop clock app is another option.