FocusMe can block any desktop application by its process name, window title, or by selecting it from a list of running/installed apps.
Block Some Apps (Blacklist)
Specify exactly which apps to block.
Adding an Application
In Step 3 (Applications) of the Plan Wizard:
- Click Add App
- Choose how to find the app:
| Tab | Description |
|---|
| Process | Select from currently running processes |
| Installed | Browse your installed applications |
| Windows | Select from open windows |
| Custom | Enter a process name, window title, or path manually |
- Select the app(s) you want to block — use Ctrl+click to select multiple
- Click Add
Not sure what process name an app uses? Use the
Helper Tool — right-click the FocusMe tray icon and select
Helper while the target app is open. It shows the exact process name, window title, and path.
Common Apps to Block
| Category | Process Name |
|---|
| Browsers | chrome.exe, msedge.exe, firefox.exe, brave.exe, opera.exe |
| Games | steam.exe, EpicGamesLauncher.exe, FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe |
| Messaging | Discord.exe, Slack.exe, Teams.exe, WhatsApp.exe, Telegram.exe |
| Social | TikTok.exe (Windows Store), Instagram.exe (Windows Store) |
| Streaming | Spotify.exe, Netflix.exe (Windows Store) |
Block All Apps (Whitelist)
For extreme focus, block everything and only allow specific apps:
- Choose Block All Apps
- Add exceptions — the apps you need for work
- Everything else is blocked
Example: Allow only WINWORD.exe (Word), EXCEL.exe (Excel), and chrome.exe (Chrome) during work hours.
When blocking all applications, make sure to whitelist your essential tools. If you lock yourself out of everything with Forced protection, you’ll need to wait for the schedule to end.
Block Method
The Block method dropdown at the bottom of the Applications step controls how blocked apps are handled:
| Method | What Happens |
|---|
| Minimize | The app window is minimized whenever it gains focus. The app stays running but you can’t use it. |
| Close | The app window is closed. |
| Kill | The app process is forcefully terminated. Use this for stubborn apps that reopen after being closed. |
| Hide | The app window is hidden from view. The app continues running in the background but is invisible. |
How App Blocking Works
When a blocked application is detected:
- FocusMe monitors running processes and window titles continuously
- If a blocked app is launched or brought to focus, FocusMe intervenes
- The app is minimized or closed (depending on your block method)
- A notification tells you which plan blocked the app
This works at the operating system level — FocusMe starts automatically and keeps itself running, so blocking persists even if you close the main window.
Matching Methods
| Method | Matches On | Example |
|---|
| Process name | The executable filename | chrome.exe blocks all Chrome windows |
| Window title | Text in the window title bar | Netflix blocks any window with “Netflix” in the title |
| Process path | Full path to the executable | C:\Games\Steam\steam.exe blocks only this specific installation |
When to Use Each
- Process name — best for most apps. Simple and reliable.
- Window title — useful for blocking specific content within an app (e.g., block windows titled “YouTube” in any browser).
- Process path — use when the same executable name is used by multiple apps and you need to target one specifically.
Windows Store / UWP Apps
Modern Windows Store apps (UWP) use different process names than traditional desktop apps. Use the Helper Tool or the Installed tab in the Add App dialog to identify them correctly.
Common examples:
- Windows Store TikTok → look for its process in Task Manager
- Microsoft Store Netflix → typically
ApplicationFrameHost.exe (match by window title instead)
For UWP apps, matching by window title is often more reliable than matching by process name, since many UWP apps share the same host process.
Punisher
For Stay Focused plans, you can enable the Punisher to add escalating consequences when you repeatedly try to open blocked apps. Instead of just blocking, the Punisher extends blocking time with each reoffence.
Learn more about the Punisher →
| Feature | Windows | macOS | Linux |
|---|
| Process blocking | Full support | Full support | Full support |
| Window title matching | Full support | Requires Accessibility permission | X11 support |
| Installed apps list | Full support | Applications folder | Limited |
| Background enforcement | Automatic | App must be running | Automatic |
