Clever Clogs tip # 756
1 July 2025


Get more done by reducing distractions using focus sessions in Windows 11 *

Hello and welcome to the tip of the month July.

Each month, I write and publish a time-saving tip, usually a hidden gem that hopefully helps make your day-to-day work a little smoother. Lots of us use the Microsoft apps daily, but even power users often overlook the handy tools tucked beneath the surface.

This month's tip is one of those lesser-known features... focus sessions. It silences notifications and minimizes distractions, helping you to concentrate fully on the task at hand. It's perfect for creating uninterrupted time to think, learn, create, or just catch up without constant pings and pop-ups.

Here's how:

  1. Press the WIN key, type focus and press ENTER. (Or select Start > Settings > System > Focus.)
  2. Press ENTER again to accept the default 30-minute session duration. (Or click Start focus session.)

Once the focus session begins, the app starts counting down in the top right, showing how much time is left.

If you're like me and prefer not to see the countdown, just click the three dots next to the Pause button and you can look at a plant instead.

In my opinion, the 30-minute session setup feels a bit odd... by default, it allocates 20 minutes for focus time, then adds two separate 5-minute segments; one of which is the break...

... and another for a short 5-minute focus session after the break.

So if that doesn't quite fit your routine, you might want to change your settings to match your preferred way of working.

Give it a try and see if cutting down distractions helps you get more done. Or, as one of my delegates put it during last week's 'oohs, aahs and how did you do that?' training session "Use the 30 minutes for training." Here's to lifelong learning!

K.

PS In case you are interested in hearing more about running a 'oohs, aahs and how did you do that?' training session for your team, get in touch! It's packed with practical tips to help make your everyday work faster, smarter and a little bit more enjoyable.


* Unless stated otherwise this tip is written for Microsoft 365 desktop apps and Windows 11 users, but might also be useful in Office 2010, 2013, 2016 and 2019.