While I pride myself on being able to focus on my work, even though I work remotely, I'm not immune to getting distracted. From messaging notifications to inconvenient pop-ups, there are so many things that can get in the way of your workflow.

Luckily, there are a variety of tools you can use to get rid of distractions, from built-in Windows productivity tools to third-party standalone apps.

5 Focus and Do not disturb modes on Windows

Stop annoying notifications

If your main distraction is notifications on Windows, then the Do not disturb and Focus tools will help keep interruptions to a minimum. One way I keep notifications under control on Windows is to never grant notification permissions to an app or website in the first place.

But if you need certain apps to send notifications, or you just generally find you receive a distracting number of pings, you can use both Focus mode and Do not disturb to minimize interruptions.

Do not disturb works by only showing you banners for priority notifications and alarms. To enable Do not disturb on Windows 11, click on the time and date stamp on your Windows taskbar and click on the bell icon at the top of the sidebar. By clicking on Notification settings, you can customize Do not disturb by setting when it turns on automatically (such as during games or when you're using an app in full-screen mode). You can also set priority notifications so that you don't miss incoming calls and reminders.

The Focus tool works slightly differently. It enables Do not disturb, while also hiding badges on taskbar apps (and preventing app icons from flashing), as well as showing a timer for your Focus session. The default is set to 30 minutes (with breaks included), but you can adjust this. You can access the Focus tool by clicking on the clock in your taskbar and selecting Focus.

I find this the most useful for cases where you have messaging apps running in the background while you work. Since I prefer using web apps over native apps, I don't have many apps running that could send me message notifications except through Chrome tabs. But it's useful for apps like Discord that I run natively and where message notifications can distract me from my work.

4 Reading mode in your browser

Get a more reader-friendly, focused view

Sometimes, the best way to avoid distractions from your work is to not open your web browser in the first place. However, for many people, including me, using the web is part of my workflow. This includes working within a web-based application, researching by reading articles online, and switching between tabs on my browser. So, what's the best way to avoid the many distractions that you'll find in your web browsing experience? One option is using a reader mode.

Many web browsers have a dedicated reading mode that lets you focus on the text of a website. This mode removes distracting pop-ups, ads, and other intrusions that affect your reading experience. Personally, I prefer Immersive Reader on Microsoft Edge over Reading mode on Chrome, as Chrome's tool only opens a sidebar while Microsoft Edge creates a whole new customizable window.

On Edge, you can access Immersive Reader by pressing F9. You can also select Enter Immersive Reader in the address bar. On Chrome, you can access the reading mode by selecting the three-dot icon in the top right and going to More tools -> Reading mode.

Opera also has a reader mode that you can access by selecting the book icon next to the address bar.

If you need to browse websites without videos interrupting you or nudging you to the next page, reader mode is a great option that requires no extra installation. You can use it while researching topics and fact-checking.

3 Opera Workspaces

Reduce internet distractions

Opera has a variety of browsers to choose from, and their customization options make them great for creating a productive workflow. For example, Opera Air aims to provide a relaxing experience and includes mindfulness features.

Regardless of which Opera browser you choose, it will include the Workspaces feature. These are essentially hubs that allow you to separate your tabs. For example, you can stay focused by using a work-dedicated Workspace.

However, there are limitations to the feature. Bookmarks are applied globally rather than being specific to a particular Workspace. It would be great if you could have specific bookmarks for specific Workspaces. The best way around this is to create a folder for your bookmarks. For example, I created a Work bookmarks folder which includes the CMS I work in, Asana, and the XDA website.

However, Opera benefits from the high level of customization in other areas. The sidebar with app shortcuts allows you to remove possible distractions like messaging apps. I only kept Spotify as I use music to keep me productive while I work.

Even if you don't use the Workspaces feature if you find your current browser is distracting you, it may be worth creating a work-only profile where all the bookmarks are related to your job. You can set up this profile on your current browser or use an alternative browser.

2 Limit

Set limits for your web browsing

Limit is a Chrome browser extension that allows you to set timers for distracting websites. If you find yourself often falling down Reddit rabbit holes or spending too much time on Facebook Reels when you're supposed to be working, Limit can help put a stop to that.

The fact that you can add website domains is a great bonus, as not everyone shares the same distractions. You won't catch me on Facebook for more than 5 minutes at a time, but when it comes to YouTube or Reddit I struggle to rein in my time spent browsing the sites.

It's a bit trickier when it comes to managing sites that are both distractions and used for work, though. For example, I may research a topic by seeing what people have to say on Reddit. I'm also currently using the r/buildapc subreddit to learn more about PC building. However, a browser extension like this prevents me from spending too much time scrolling through TikTok or getting lost in international news.

When you reach the cap for time spent on a website, Limit will show you a green screen when you try to visit that page. It's easy enough to disable the extension and resume browsing, but it definitely makes you more mindful of how much time you're spending on these sites.

1 Calmly Writer

A focused writing app

Calmly Writer is a distraction-free writing tool that allows you to customize your writing environment. If you use a CMS or web-based word processor, you may find that your browser tabs become distractions while you’re writing.

Calmly helps you avoid these distractions with its minimalist UI. You can access formatting tools when highlighting text, with the only persistent information on the screen being your word count, character count, and reading time.

I like that you can customize the font, background, and other aspects of the app to suit your personal preferences. For example, dark mode is a must-have in any tool that I use.

You can also enable useful features such as a spellchecker, meaning you don’t have to miss out on the essentials of a good word processor. You can toggle between the full-screen mode using F11 if you want a more immersive window. Anything you write in Calmly can also be exported into common document file formats when you’re done.

Get your work done with fewer distractions

If you find that you're getting distracted when working on your computer, these tools can help to eliminate interruptions and annoying pop-ups. While Focus mode is a useful way to get rid of notifications, tools like Limit control how much time you spend on certain websites. The best tools for you will depend on how much you need to change your current workflow. For some, just using an alternative browser could make the difference they need.