Hard blocks, not soft nudges
Chosen apps simply won't open during a block window. No "5 more minutes" button, no way to snooze it from inside the app.
App Blocker · Windows
App blocker for Windows that actually stops you
Deskly blocks distracting apps completely — on a schedule or during a focus session — so tabbing back to them isn't an option. No willpower required, no soft nudges that are easy to ignore.
Recurring schedules
Set work hours, study hours, or evening wind-down windows once — blocks apply automatically every day without starting a session manually.
Pairs with focus sessions
Start a focus session and your blocklist activates instantly for that session's duration — great for deep work sprints.
Works with apps and websites
Block native desktop apps and specific websites in your browser together, from one blocklist.
App blocker vs. app limits — which do you need?
Deskly gives you both, because they solve different problems:
- Limits are best when you want to reduce usage of an app you still need — like capping social media to 30 minutes a day.
- Blocks are best when an app has zero place during a specific window — like games during work hours, or messaging apps during a study session.
Most people end up using limits for everyday moderation and blocks for their most important focus windows. See app and website limits if soft limits sound closer to what you need.
Frequently asked questions
Is Deskly an app blocker for Windows?
Yes. Deskly can fully block chosen apps on Windows, either on a fixed daily schedule or for the duration of a focus session, so you can't open or switch back to them until the block lifts.
What's the difference between blocking and limiting an app?
A limit lets you keep using an app until you hit a time budget, then nudges you to stop. A block prevents the app from opening at all during the period you set — useful when a soft nudge isn't enough.
Can I schedule blocks automatically?
Yes. You can set recurring schedules (for example, work hours or study hours) so distracting apps are blocked automatically without needing to start a session manually every time.
Is my data private?
Yes. Deskly stores everything locally on your machine in human-readable files. Nothing about which apps you block is sent to a server.