Focus Sessions

Owned by Fleshman-Cooper, Ian
Last updated: Apr 11, 2024
3 min read

Overview

Focus Sessions are a feature in Windows 11 designed to help you stay productive by reducing interruptions and distractions. It allows you to customize and control notifications based on your preferences and activities, as well as to set a timer for the duration of your session.

Starting a Focus Session:

Access through settings:

  1. Open Settings:

    1. Click on the Start button.

    2. Select the Settings (gear) icon or press Win + I on your keyboard.

  2. Go to System:

    1. Click on System within the sidebar.

  3. Access Focus:

    1. Select Focus from the menu.

  4. Start Session:

    1. Set duration of the session.

    2. Select Start focus session.

settings.png
Menu.png

 

Access through the system tray:

  1. Select the system tray in the bottom right corner.

  2. Beneath the calendar you will have the options to change the duration of the session as well as starting the session.

  3. Select Focus to start the session.

system tray.png

Focus Settings:

When accessing through settings, you will find a variety of options to adjust your focus session settings.

  • Session duration:

    • This is where you can adjust the duration of your session by minutes.

  • Show the timer in the Clock app:

    • The timer will appear as a visual timer as it counts down.

    • The timer is shown through the Clock app.

  • Hide badges on taskbar apps:

    • This option will temporarily suppress badge notifications within the taskbar during your session.

  • Hide flashing on taskbar apps:

    • This option will temporarily suppress flashing notifications within the taskbar during your session.

  • Turn on do not disturb:

    • This option will temporarily suppress all notifications during your session.

focus menu.png

 

Customizing Focus Sessions through the Clock app:

  • Open the Clock app:

    • Search for Clock within the search bar.

  • Start a focus session:

    • Under Get ready to focus, you can begin, pause, or restart a focus session.

  • To Do:

    • You can organize a To Do list to provide more context of your focus session.

    • To adjust your To Do list, you need to ensure you are signed into your Microsoft account.

      1. Select on the options menu (three dots)

      2. Select Open in To Do

      3. From here, you can organize your To Do list.

  • Daily Progress:

    • Keep track of daily goals and minutes used during focus sessions.

    • Select the pencil icon to edit your daily goals.

  • Spotify:

    • An option to control Spotify during your focus session.

    • You will need to install the Spotify app within the Microsoft App Store.

clock app.png
clock settings.png

 

Conclusion:

Focus Sessions are a valuable tool to enhance your productivity by managing notifications based on your preferences and activities, as well as keeping track of your daily goals. Customize the settings to suit your needs and enjoy a more focused and uninterrupted computing experience on Windows 11.