On Microsoft Windows, desktop note applications have been included by default since Windows Vista, which has the Notes 'gadget'. MacOS has its own built-in desktop note functionality with the Stickies application and, from Mac OS X Tiger through macOS Mojave, with Dashboard, an application that has notes and other desktop widgets. A number of applications have duplicated the functionality of Stickies on other platforms.

For the Macintosh, the Stickies application was developed by Jens Alfke and included in System 7.5, released in 1994. The earliest-known desktop note application is 'Note pad' made for the GEOS system for the Commodore 64 in 1985. They are typically rectangular and yellow, like their physical counterpart, but most applications support other colours and more elaborate designs. Screenshot of Knotes, a desktop note application for KDEĭesktop notes are computer applications that allow putting Post-it note-like windows on the screen, with reminders, short notes and other clippings.

Note on desktop