Free Tools to Eliminate Desktop Clutter and Keep you Focused

By Carlon Haas | February 12, 2008

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I have never been the most organized person in the world. And I will go on record right now to say that I have been known to be easily distracted.

My desktop reflects this tendency. Many times I’ve looked at this giant mass of programs running as I creatively think of ways to shut them down. Or how many times have I been doing something (like writing this blog post), glanced at my open internet browser and just started surfing…uh, I mean, researching?

It happens to a lot of us. But with desktops getting more “gadgetized” I have found some free tools that help you to “devolve” your computer.

I call them computer Zen. I’ve heard the term Zenware. And that’s exactly what these programs do. They seek to save us from ourselves. They seek to aid the ADHD user that dwells within us. And help they do.

There are a lot of programs out there nowadays that help you to stay focused on what you’re doing. And I wanted to share with you some of the tools I used to help me stay focused on my work.

1. Swept Away

Cool program that hides programs that are on your desktop that you are not using. The only drawback is if you do get distracted and start surfing internet sites, Swept Away will “sweep away” the work you are supposed to be doing so you can focus better on being distracted.

All in all though, it works well.

2. Dropcloth

Cool little app that overlays a solid window over your desktop. Out of sight out of mind. This app covers that cluttered desktop. Use it in conjunction with Swept Away, like I do, and watch your focus go WAY up.

3. Dark Room

MS Word. Love it, but man it distracts the you-know-what out of me. I fiddle with margins and formatting like you wouldn’t believe. Enter Darkroom. With its retro green monochrome with the flickering cursor, it keeps me focused on one thing and one thing only—writing. Guess what I’m writing this post on right now?