How to Block Browsers with FocusMe
Sometimes blocking websites is not enough. You might want to block some particular browsers entirely.
To block them, it’s the same process as blocking other applications. Open up the browsers you want to block and leave them running (this will make it easier for FocusMe to find them).
Creating a Focus Plan
The first thing you do is either create a new plan or edit an existing one. To create a new plan, hit the “Add Plan” button on the upper right. To edit an existing plan, you can either right-click on the plan and select “Edit Plan” or hit the respective gear icon on the right.
Type the name of the Focus plan (for editing existing plans, the name shows up here) then hit “Next”.
You can skip the Websites page this time since we will be blocking browsers (which are applications) instead of websites. Hit “Next” to go to the Applications Page (3/6). Click “Add App”.
The Adding Application Targets window will show up.
In the Adding Application Targets window you can choose from the below:
- Processes – A list of all running application processes.
- Installed – A list of installed applications that appear on your Windows Start menu.
- Windows – A list of applications that are open and have a current visible window.
- Custom – For entering custom application targets.
Select the Applications you want to add to the list. See the next sections for specific guidelines for common browsers.
Note: the following methods for blocking can be used on other browsers. You determine which one is best suited for you.
From Current Open Windows
You can select from the current open windows using the Windows tab. For example, ot block Internet Explorer, first launch it then use the Windows tab and select Internet Explorer from the list. Select Process Name from the Type dropdown:
From Installed Programs
You can also select apps to block if they’re installed on your computer. In this example, we block Avast Secure browser by going to the Installed tab and selecting it from the list. Choose Application Name from the Type dropdown:
By Window Title
Blocking via a specific type might be a bit tricky sometimes. For Microsoft Edge, its process name and application ID is the same with other Windows apps.
In this case we use window title to block Edge. First launch it, then use the Windows tab and select Microsoft Edge in the list. Choose Window Title from the Type dropdown:
Enter the Info Manually
If you’re already used to blocking app and websites, its sometimes easier to manually input your target. Use the Custom tab for this matter.
For example, to manually add Google Chrome to the blocklist, use the Custom tab and type in “Google Chrome” (without the quotes) and press Enter. Select Application Name from the Type dropdown:
You can add multiple items at a time as well. This works in the Process, Installed, And Windows tab by selecting multiple items. For the Custom tab, you can type in a new target after pressing Enter.
Let’s block the Tor Browser by typing in “Tor Browser” (without the quotes) after the previous step:
Finishing the Plan
Go through the rest of the wizard following your own preferences. Once finished, click “Done” to save your Focus plan.
And you’re all set! You can use any of the methods stated above to block other browsers not mentioned. Whichever method you choose depends entirely on you.
How to Block Browsers with FocusMe
Sometimes blocking websites is not enough. You might want to block some particular browsers entirely.
To block them, it’s the same process as blocking other applications. Open up the browsers you want to block and leave them running (this will make it easier for FocusMe to find them).
Creating a Focus Plan
The first thing you do is either create a new plan or edit an existing one. To create a new plan, hit the “Add Plan” button on the upper right. To edit an existing plan, you can either right-click on the plan and select “Edit Plan” or hit the respective gear icon on the right.
Type the name of the Focus plan (for editing existing plans, the name shows up here) then hit “Next”.
You can skip the Websites page this time since we will be blocking browsers (which are applications) instead of websites. Hit “Next” to go to the Applications Page (3/6). Click “Add App”.
The Adding Application Targets window will show up.
In the Adding Application Targets window you can choose from the below:
- Processes – A list of all running application processes.
- Installed – A list of installed applications that appear on your Windows Start menu.
- Windows – A list of applications that are open and have a current visible window.
- Custom – For entering custom application targets.
Select the Applications you want to add to the list. See the next sections for specific guidelines for common browsers.
Note: the following methods for blocking can be used on other browsers. You determine which one is best suited for you.
From Current Open Windows
You can select from the current open windows using the Windows tab. For example, ot block Internet Explorer, first launch it then use the Windows tab and select Internet Explorer from the list. Select Process Name from the Type dropdown:
From Installed Programs
You can also select apps to block if they’re installed on your computer. In this example, we block Avast Secure browser by going to the Installed tab and selecting it from the list. Choose Application Name from the Type dropdown:
By Window Title
Blocking via a specific type might be a bit tricky sometimes. For Microsoft Edge, its process name and application ID is the same with other Windows apps.
In this case we use window title to block Edge. First launch it, then use the Windows tab and select Microsoft Edge in the list. Choose Window Title from the Type dropdown:
Enter the Info Manually
If you’re already used to blocking app and websites, its sometimes easier to manually input your target. Use the Custom tab for this matter.
For example, to manually add Google Chrome to the blocklist, use the Custom tab and type in “Google Chrome” (without the quotes) and press Enter. Select Application Name from the Type dropdown:
You can add multiple items at a time as well. This works in the Process, Installed, And Windows tab by selecting multiple items. For the Custom tab, you can type in a new target after pressing Enter.
Let’s block the Tor Browser by typing in “Tor Browser” (without the quotes) after the previous step:
Finishing the Plan
Go through the rest of the wizard following your own preferences. Once finished, click “Done” to save your Focus plan.
And you’re all set! You can use any of the methods stated above to block other browsers not mentioned. Whichever method you choose depends entirely on you.