How to Use Focus Sessions in the Microsoft Windows Clock (Windows 11)

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This tutorial covers:

  1. How to Edit Focus Session Length With Click
  2. How to Edit Focus Session Length With Keyboard
  3. How to Edit Focus Session Length With Right Click
  4. How to Edit Focus Session Length With Keyboard Shortcuts
  5. How to Edit Focus Session Length With Settings
  6. How to Edit Focus Session Length With Default Length
  7. How to Edit Focus Session Length With Windows 11 Settings
  8. How to Set the Number of Breaks in a Focus Session
  9. How to Set Break Length in a Focus Session
  10. How to Skip Breaks in a Focus Session
  11. How to Start a Focus Session With Click
  12. How to Start a Focus Session With Windows 11 Settings
  13. How to Pause a Focus Session
  14. How to Resume a Focus Session
  15. How to Reset a Focus Session
  16. How to Show Time Remaining
  17. How to Customize the End of Session Sound
  18. How to Customize the End of Break Sound
  19. How to Integrate Focus Sessions With Spotify
  20. How to Add a Task
  21. How to Select a Task for a Focus Session With Click 
  22. How to Select a Task for a Focus Session With Right Click
  23. How to Deselect a Task for a Focus Session With Click
  24. How to Deselect a Task for a Focus Session With Right Click
  25. How to Mark a Task as Complete With Click
  26. How to Mark a Task as Complete With Right Click
  27. How to Mark a Task as Not Started With Click
  28. How to Mark a Task as Not Started With Right Click
  29. How to Rename a Task With Right Click
  30. How to Rename a Task With Double Click
  31. How to Delete a Task
  32. How to Open a Task in To Do With Right Click
  33. How to Open a Task in To Do With Menu
  34. How to Switch the Task List
  35. How to Collapse the Task List
  36. How to Expand the Task List
  37. How to Edit the Daily Goal
  38. How to Reset the Daily Goal History 


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How to Edit Focus Session Length With Click

The top image displays the cursor clicking the up arrow to the right of the Focus Session time which is 10 minutes. The bottom image displays the Focus Session time of 15 minutes.

 

  • Click the down arrow to decrease the time.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the down arrow to the right of the Focus Session time which is 30 minutes. The bottom image displays the Focus Session time of 25 minutes.

 

How to Edit Focus Session Length With Keyboard

The top image displays the cursor clicking the Focus Session time, which is 30 minutes. The bottom image displays the edited Focus Session time of 55 minutes.
 

 

How to Edit Focus Session Length With Right Click

The cursor right clicks the Focus Sessions time which is 55 minutes.

 

-Click "Select all" to select the number.
A menu appears below the Focus Sessions time, and the cursor clicks the "Select all" option in the menu.



-Click "Copy" to copy the number.
A menu appears below the Focus Sessions time, and the cursor clicks the "Copy" option in the menu.

 
 
-Click "Cut" to cut the number.
The left image displays the cursor clicking the "Cut" option in the menu below the Focus Sessions time, which is 55 minutes. The bottom image displays the empty Focus Sessions time as the number 55 is cut out.

 
-Click "Paste" to paste the number.
The left image displays the cursor clicking the "Paste" option in the menu below the empty Focus Sessions time. The right image displays the pasted Focus Sessions time of 55 minutes.

 
 
-Click "Undo" to reverse the last action.
The left image displays the cursor clicking the "Undo" option in the menu below the empty Focus Sessions time. The right image displays the Focus Session time of 55 minutes.

 
-Click "Redo" to reverse the last Undo.
The left image displays the cursor clicking the "Redo" option in the menu below the Focus Session time which is 55 minutes. The right image displays the empty Focus Sessions time.



How to Edit Focus Session Length With Keyboard Shortcuts

-Ctrl + A to select the number.
The left image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + A". The right image displays the selected Focus Session time of 55 minutes hightlighted in a light blue color.

 
-Ctrl + C to copy the number.
A graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + C" appears to the left of the Focus Sessions time.

 
-Ctrl + X to cut the number.
The left image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + X" to the left of the Focus Session time which is 55 minutes. The right image displays the empty Focus Session time as the 55 minutes is cut out.

 
-Ctrl + V to paste the number.
The left image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + V" to the left of the empty Focus Session time. The right image displays the pasted Focus Session time of 55 minutes.

 
-Ctrl + Z to Undo.
The left image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + Z" to the left of the Focus Session time of 55 minutes. The right image displays the empty Focus Session time.

 
-Ctrl + Y to Redo.
The left image displays a graphic of the keyboard keys "Ctrl + Y" to the left of the empty Focus Session time. The right image displays the Focus Session time of 55 minutes.



How to Edit Focus Session Length With Settings

  • Step 1: First open Windows Clock and in the lower left click the "Settings" or gear button.

The cursor clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the lower left corner of the open Windows Clock window.

 

  • Step 2: On the far right side of the "Focus periods" section, click the drop-down menu arrow.

The cursor clicks the drop-down arrow button on the far right side of the "Focus periods" section of the Settings window.

 

  • Step 3: Click the drop-down menu arrow on the right of the "Focus period" section and click to select a time.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the drop-down menu on the far right side of the "Focus period" section. The bottom image displays the cursor browsing the drop-down menu choices.



How to Edit Focus Session Length With Default Length

The cursor clicks the "See more" or "..." button in the upper right of the Focus Sessions section.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Use default focus session length".
A menu appears above the "See more" button. The cursor clicks the "Use default focus session length" option in the menu.



How to Edit Focus Session Length With Windows 11 Settings

  • Step 1: First open Windows Clock and in the lower left click the "Settings" or gear button.

The cursor clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the lower left corner of the open Windows Clock window.

 

 

  • Step 2: Scroll down and on the far right side of the "Notifications" section click the "Change notification settings" option.

The cursor clicks the "Change notifications settings" option on the far right of the "Notifications" section of the Settings window.

 

  • Step 3: In the Windows 11 Settings window that opens, on the far right side of the "Focus" section click the drop-down menu arrow.

The cursor clicks the arrow button on the far right side of the "Focus" section in the Windows 11 Settings window.

 

  • Step 4: Click the "+" button to increase the time.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "+" button to the right of the Focus session time which is 30 minutes. The bottom image displays the Focus Session time which is 45 minutes.

 

  • Click the "-" button to decrease the time.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "-" button to the left of the Focus Session time which is 75 minutes. The bottom image displays the Focus Session time which is 60 minutes.



How to Set the Number of Breaks in a Focus Session

The cursor clicks the up arrow to the right of the Focus Session time which is 30 minutes.

 
  • As the time increases, the number of breaks increases;

- 30 minutes = 1 break

-80 minutes = 2 breaks

-110 minutes = 3 breaks

-125 minutes = 4 breaks

-155 minutes = 5 breaks

-185 minutes = 6 breaks

-200 minutes = 7 breaks

-230 minutes = 8 breaks

A series of seven images displays the corresponding pairs of minutes and the number of breaks. 30 minutes results in one break, 80 minutes results in two breaks, 110 minutes results in 3 breaks, 125 minutes results in 4 breaks, 155 minutes results in 5 breaks, 185 minutes results in 6 breaks, 200 minutes results in 7 breaks, and 230 minutes results in 8 breaks.



How to Set Break Length in a Focus Session

The cursor clicks the "See more" or "..." button in the upper right of the Focus Sessions section.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "View settings".

The cursor clicks the "View settings" option in the menu above the "See more" button.

 

  • Step 3: On the far right side of the "Focus periods" section click the drop-down menu arrow.

The cursor clicks the drop-down arrow button on the far right side of the "Focus periods" section of the Settings window.

 

 

  • Step 4: On the far right side of the "Break period" section, click the drop-down menu arrow and click to select "5 minutes", "10 minutes", or "15 minutes".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the drop-down menu on the far right side of the "Break period" section. The bottom image displays the cursor browsing the 5 minute, 10 minute, and 15 minute options in the open drop-down menu.



How to Skip Breaks in a Focus Session

Below the Focus Session time is a blue box with a white check mark, indicating the "Skip breaks" option is turned on.

 

  • Alternatively, click the down arrow to decrease the time under 30 minutes to disable breaks.

The cursor clicks the down arrow to the right of the Focus Session time which is 25 minutes. Below the Focus Session time is the text "You'll have no breaks".


 

How to Start a Focus Session With Click

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Start focus session" button. The bottom image displays the Focus Session time remaining, which is 10 minutes.

 

 

How to Start a Focus Session With Windows 11 Settings

The cursor clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the lower left corner of the open Windows Clock window.

 

 

  • Step 2: Scroll down and on the right side of the "Notifications" section, click the "Change notification settings" option. The cursor clicks the "Change notifications settings" option on the far right of the "Notifications" section of the Settings window.

 

 

  • Step 3: In the Windows 11 Settings window that opens, on the far right side of the "Focus" section click the drop-down menu arrow.

The cursor clicks the arrow button on the far right side of the "Focus" section in the Windows 11 Settings window.

 

 

  • Step 4: Click the "Start focus session" button.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Start focus session" button in the Windows 11 Settings window. The bottom image displays the open Windows Clock window with the Focus Session section displaying the time remaining.



How to Pause a Focus Session

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Pause" button below the Focus Session time. The bottom image displays the text of "Paused" below the Focus Session time remaining.



How to Resume a Focus Session

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Resume" button below the Focus Session time. The bottom image displays the Focus Session time remaining.



How to Reset a Focus Session

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Reset" button below the Focus Session time. The bottom image displays the default Focus Session window with the editable time and the "Start focus session" button.



How to Show Time Remaining

The cursor clicks the "See more" or "..." button below the Focus Session time remaining.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click to turn "Show time remaining" on or off.
-"Show time remaining" on
A menu appears above the "See more" button. A check mark to the left of the "Show remaining" option indicates this option is turned on.

 
 
 
-"Show time remaining" off
A menu appears above the "See more" button. A blank space to the left of the "Show remaining" option in the menu indicates this option is turned off.



How to Customize the End of Session Sound

  • Step 1: First open Windows Clock and in the lower left click the "Settings" or gear button.

The cursor clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the lower left corner of the open Windows Clock window.

 

 

  • Step 2: On the far right side of the "End of session sound" section, click to turn the sound on or off.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "End of session sound" toggle switch on. The bottom image displays the cursor clicking the "End of session sound" off.

 

  • Step 3: On the far right side of the "End of session sound" section, click the drop-down menu arrow.
The cursor clicks the drop-down menu arrow on the far right side of the "End of session sound" section in the Settings window.



  • Step 4: Click the "Alarm sound" drop-down menu, and click to select a sound.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Alarm sound" drop-down menu. The bottom image displays the cursor browsing the options in the open drop-down menu.



How to Customize the End of Break Sound

The cursor clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the lower left corner of the open Windows Clock window.

 

 

  • Step 2: On the far right side of "End of break sound" section, click to turn the sound on or off.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "End of break sound" switch on. The bottom image displays the cursor clicking the "End of break sound" switch off.

 

  • Step 3: On the far right side of the "End of break sound" section, click the drop-down menu arrow.

The cursor clicks the drop-down menu arrow on the far right of the "End of break sound" section in the Settings window.

 

  • Step 4: Click the "Alarm sound" drop-down menu, and click to select a sound.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Alarm sound" drop-down menu. The bottom image displays the cursor browsing the options in the open drop-down menu.



How to Integrate Focus Sessions With Spotify

  • Step 1: First open Windows Clock and in the lower left click the "Settings" or gear button.

The cursor clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the lower left corner of the open Windows Clock window.

 

 

  • Step 2: Scroll down and on the far right side of the "Spotify" section, click to turn Spotify integration on. Click again to turn Spotify integration off.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Spotify" switch on. The bottom image displays the cursor clicking the "Spotify" switch off.



How to Add a Task

  • Step 1: Switch to Focus Sessions mode. In the upper right click the "+" or "Add a task" button, or in the center click the "+ Add a task" button.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "+" or "Add a task" button in the upper right of the Task section. The bottom image displays the cursor clicking the "+ Add a task" button in the center of the Task section.

 

  • Step 2: Type any text to name the task and press Enter.
The top image displays a task being typed into the task name field. The bottom image displays the newly added task with the name of "Work on draft".



How to Select a Task for a Focus Session With Click

  • Step 1: First add a task. On the right side of the task click the "Select for session" option.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Select for focus session" option on the right side of the task. The bottom image displays the selected task surrounded in a light blue outline.



How to Select a Task for a Focus Session With Right Click

The cursor right clicks the task.



  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Select for focus session".
A menu appears below the task, and the cursor clicks the "Select for focus session" option in the menu. The bottom image displays the selected task surrounded with a light blue outline.



How to Deselect a Task for a Focus Session With Click

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Deselect" option on the right side of the selected task. The bottom image displays the unselected task.



How to Deselect a Task for a  Focus Session With Right Click

The cursor right clicks the selected task.



  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Deselect for focus session".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Deselect for focus session" option in the menu below the selected task. The bottom image displays the unselected task.



How to Mark a Task as Complete With Click

  • Step 1: First add a task, then click the circle to the left of the task.
The top image displays the cursor clicking the circle to the left of the task. The bottom image displays a white check mark in the green circle to the left of the task.



How to Mark a Task as Complete With Right Click

The cursor right clicks the task.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Mark as complete".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Mark as complete" option in the menu below the task. The bottom image displays a white check mark in the green circle to the left of the task.



How to Mark a Task as Not Started With Click

The top image displays the cursor clicking the white check mark in a green circle to the left of the task. The bottom image displays an empty circle to the left of the task.



How to Mark a Task as Not Started With Right Click

A white check mark is inside a green circle that is to the left of the task. The cursor right clicks the task.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Mark as not started".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Mark as not started" option in the menu below the task. The bottom image displays an empty circle to the left of the task.



How to Rename a Task With Right Click

  • Step 1: First add a task, then right click the task.

The cursor right clicks the task.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Rename".

A menu appears below the task. The cursor clicks the "Rename" option in the menu.

 

  • Step 3: Type any text to rename the task and press Enter.

The top image displays a task being typed into the task name field. The bottom image displays the renamed task of "Work on draft".




How to Rename a Task With Double Click

  • Step 1: Add a task and double click the task name.

The cursor double clicks the task name which is "Work on chapter".

 

  • Step 2: Type any text to rename the task and press Enter.

The top image displays a task being typed into the task name field. The bottom image displays the renamed task of "Work on draft".




How to Delete a Task

  • Step 1: First add a task and right click the task.

The cursor right clicks the task.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Delete task".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Delete" option in the menu below the task. The bottom image displays the empty Task section.



How to Open a Task in To Do With Right Click

The cursor right clicks the task.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Open in To Do".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Open in To Do" option in the menu below the task. The bottom image displays the open Microsoft To Do app window with the task in the upper right.



How to Open a Task in To Do With Menu

  • Step 1: First add a task and click the "See more" or "..." button.

The cursor clicks the "See more" or "..." button in the upper right of the Task section.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Open in To Do".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Open in To Do" option in the menu below the "See more" button. The bottom image displays the open Microsoft To Do app window with the task in the upper right.



How to Switch the Task List

The cursor clicks the "See more" or "..." button in the upper right of the Task section.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, hover over "Choose a task list" and in the second menu that opens, click to select a task list.
The top image displays the cursor hovering over the "Choose a task list" in the left menu and clicking the "Groceries" option in the right menu. The bottom image displays the open Groceries Task list with the tasks of "Buy pasta", "Buy cheese", and "Buy broccoli".



How to Collapse the Task List

The cursor clicks the "See more" button in the upper right of the Task section.

 

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Collapse task list".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Collapse task list" option in the menu below the "See more" button. The bottom image displays the collapsed Task section.



How to Expand the Task List

The cursor clicks the "See more" or "..." button in the right side of the collapsed Task section.

 

  • Step 2: In the menu that opens, click "Expand task list".
The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Expand task list" option in the menu below the "See more" button. The bottom image displays the expanded task section with a list of three tasks.



How to Edit the Daily Goal

The cursor clicks the "Edit your daily goal" or pencil button in the upper right of the Daily Goals section.

 

  • Step 2: In the window that opens, click the "Daily goal" drop-down menu and click to select the number of minutes.

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Daily goal" drop-down menu in the "Edit your daily goal" window. The bottom image displays the cursor browsing the options in the open drop-down menu.

 

  • Step 3: Click the "Clear daily progress and completed tasks" button, then click the arrow buttons or the specific times to set the time. 

The top image displays the cursor clicking the "Clear daily progress and completed tasks" button in the "Edit your daily goal" window. The bottom image displays the cursor clicking the time options in the drop-down menu.

 

  • Click the check mark button to confirm. To cancel, click the "X" button or click anywhere outside the window.

The cursor clicks the check mark button at the bottom of the drop-down menu.

 

  • Step 4: Click to turn the "Include weekends in streaks" option on or off.

The left image displays an empty box to the left of the unselected "Include weekends in streaks" option. The right image displays a white check mark in a blue box to the left of the selected "Include weekends in streaks" option.

 

  • Step 5: Click the "Save" button to confirm. Click the "Cancel" button, or click anywhere outside the window to cancel.
The left image displays the cursor clicking the "Save" button at the bottom of the "Edit your daily goal" window. The right image displays the cursor clicking the "Cancel" button at the bottom of the "Edit your daily goal" window.



How to Reset the Daily Goal History

The cursor clicks the "Settings" or gear button in the lower left corner of the open Windows Clock window.

 

 

  • Step 2: Scroll down and on the far right side of the "Privacy" section click the "Clear history" button.
The cursor clicks the "Clear history" button on the far right side of the "Privacy" section of the Settings window.



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