*Jump to the Windows section of this video: https://vimeo.com/619126723#t=01:10
What is Desktop App Blocking?
With Desktop App Blocking, Freedom quits selected desktop apps during your Freedom session. This means that you can block your access to mail clients, games, music streaming, editing software, word processors, and more.
How to use Desktop App Blocking
To select which apps you'd like to block, select Manage Blocked Desktop Apps from the Freedom menu.
Next, a window will open up which allows you to select the apps you want to block.
Click on the apps you'd like to block, and then press Save.
Finally, visit your dashboard and add Desktop Apps to your session under Block these distractions. Freedom will block your selected desktop apps when this blocklist is on your session.
Let's Recap
To block apps on a Windows computer, you need to:
Select the apps you wish to block with the Freedom desktop app.
Add Desktop Apps to your Session.
When you run a Freedom session containing this blocklist, the app blocking feature will turn on.
Please Note:
You must select the apps you wish to block individually on your devices. Because there are so many different types of apps and installations, the apps you choose to block on your desktop only affect that device.
You won't be able to remove selected apps from the blocked apps list if you are running an active session that includes Desktop Apps.
Apps requiring "Run as Administrator"
For some apps, you may have to run Freedom as an administrator to have sufficient permissions for blocking. If you are having trouble finding an app on the list even though it's actively running, or if blocking just isn't working for a particular app, try quitting the Freedom app and then restarting it by right-clicking and selecting Run as Administrator.
If you are running other apps as an administrator, Freedom will need to be running as an administrator to block them. Here is how to make sure Freedom always runs as admin at startup:
Open the folder Windows (C:) > Programs and Files(x86) > Freedom
Right click on FreedomBlocker.exe and choose Properties
Select the Compatibility tab
Under Settings, select Run this program as an administrator
Press OK.
About Progressive Web Apps
Some browsers allow you to create a Progressive Web App (PWA) or a "web app shortcut" for a website, which behaves like a standalone application. However, web apps are essentially websites running in a separate container. Since they function as websites rather than true desktop applications, they may bypass Freedom's desktop app-blocking method, even though they resemble traditional apps.
To block this type of app, you’ll need to ensure that Freedom's proxy mode is enabled:
Go to the Freedom menu and ensure "non-proxy" mode and "website exceptions" are disabled.
Ensure the web app's corresponding website is on your blocklist
Optionally, use desktop app blocking to block the browser that the web app is opening in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one list of blocked desktop apps?
No, at this time desktop app blocking only supports one list of blocked desktop apps. This list is applied anytime you select "block desktop apps" for your session.
What do I do if I can't find an app in the window that appears to select apps?
Only open and active apps will populate in this list. If the app you want to block doesn't appear, just launch the app, select Refresh on the app blocklist, and it should appear.
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Having trouble?
If you're having any difficulty, please feel free to contact us. We're happy to help!