System Start and End Focus Session in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to start, pause, resume, or end a focus session for your account in Windows 11.

Focus is a Windows feature designed to help you stay on task by minimizing distractions. Whether you're working on an important project, studying for an exam, or simply need some uninterrupted time, Focus can help you maintain your concentration and productivity.

Focus works by temporarily blocking notifications, sounds, and alerts from apps and contacts. You can customize the settings to allow certain notifications to come through if needed.

By default, when you're in a focus session, the following happens:

• A Focus period appears on the desktop
• Do not disturb turns on
• Flashing and badges of the apps on the taskbar are temporarily turned off

You will receive an alarm notification when your focus session ends. If you need to, you can end a focus session early.

Starting with Windows 11 build 22593, Microsoft added 5-minute increments for everything under a half hour to focus session length options.

Starting with Windows 11 build 23481 (Dev), build 25393 (Canary), and build 22631.2338 (Beta) Microsoft is beginning to roll out a new Focus Session widget as part of a Clock app update (version 11.2305.6.0 and higher) via the Microsoft Store to Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels. With this new widget, you will be able to quickly start and stop focus sessions on your device.

Reference:

Focus works with focus periods in the Clock app. If you uninstalled the Clock app, you'll need to reinstall it to use Focus.

EXAMPLE: Focus session in progress with taskbar badging off, the focus timer on screen, and do not disturb will turn on.







1 Open the Notification Center (Win+N).

2 Do step 3 (start) or step 4 (end) below.














1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Focus on the right side. (see screenshot below)



3 Do step 4 (start) or step 5 (end) below.

• Show the timer in the Clock app
• Hide badges on taskbar apps
• Hide flashing on taskbar apps
• Turn on do not disturb

6 You can now close Settings if you like.





1 Open the Clock app.

2 Do step 3 (start) or step 4 (pause, resume, end) below.















5 You can now close the Clock app if you like.

This option will only be available if you started a focus session with Use focus sessions in the Clock app checked in Option Two.

To use additional focus tools in the Clock app, expand the focus timer to get the full view of the Clock app.

1 Perform an action below you want: (see screenshots below)

• Click/tap on the Pause button on the focus period you want.
• Click/tap on the Resume or Reset (end) button on the focus period you want.

1 Open Widgets (Win+W).

2 Do step 3 (start) or step 4 (pause, resume, end) below.














That's it,
Shawn Brink