A New Microsoft patent kicks Windows ‘Focus Mode’ up a notch by hiding apps altogether

Microsoft is expanding its productivity aspirations for Windows users with a new patent exploring the ability to hide parts of the operating system during timed intervals.

Based on a recently surfaced patent filing, Microsoft is looking to combine a few of its existing Windows technologies to create an uber productivity and privacy-driven experience for future operating system releases that would allow users to hide portions of the OS when giving presentations, sharing devices, conserve resources, or need a minute to focus on a single task.

Patent No: US 11,966,573 B2 describes its abstract function as the following,

Technologies are disclosed for temporarily hiding user “interface” (UI) elements, such as application windows or tabs. A request can be received to hide a UI element for a specified period of time. When such a request is received, the UI element is hidden and an identifier corresponding to the UI element is moved from a first area of a taskbar to a second area of the taskbar. The application presenting the UI element can be configured for reduced consumption of computing resources while the UI element is hidden.
Additionally, notifications associated with the UI element can be disabled while the UI element is hidden. When the specified period of time to hide the UI element is hidden.
When the specified period of time to hide the UI element has elapsed, the UI element is once again displayed. Additionally, the identifier corresponding to the UI element is moved from the second area of the taskbar back to the first area of the taskbar.

Jan-Kristian Markiewicz, Redmond WA (US)

Examining the abstract, it is clear that Microsoft is looking into allowing future Windows users to hide apps from their taskbar while also limiting both notifications and consumed resources while in a new timed-paused state. Microsoft experimented with Tombstoning apps back when it rolled out Windows 8 and attempted to treat app experiences in the OS similar to those that happen on smartphone where apps are basically paused when put into the background.

Applications such as PowerPoint, Teams, Snipping Tool, and other third party screen recording apps support the isolation of visible parts of Windows when sharing content, and it looks like Microsoft is borrowing those elements create a similar experience to the broader OS, so that users can also reduce the amount notifications or distractions that can arise when sharing content person to person or via a presentation.

At the end of the day, the idea of hiding elements of Windows isn’t a new concept, but combining existing aspects of the OS currently in use to create an enhanced privacy and productivity-focused feature will be a new experience for users.

Microsoft introduced the notification silencer feature Focus Assist back during its Windows 10 development phase and broadened the concept with Focus Mode in Windows 11 that works in conjunction with the Windows Clock app to granularly block notifications, schedule focus sessions, and pair sessions with specific playlists.

The new patent from Microsoft appears to be taking these technologies a step further and by allowing users to hide apps from view, schedule the length the hidden apps are gone from while also reducing the resources that consumed by the app which is the biggest kicker for this feature.

Obstensibly, users could hide/mute most of their apps or OS elements during work hours and reap the benefits of a speedier overall experience while also extending their PCs battery life on the whole.

This is a patent, and Microsoft often patents things as defensive measure with little intention to turn things into actual products, but depending on how well this could be executed, it would be another notch in the Windows belt in the discussion of efficient operating system options.