FocusWriter provides a specialized writing environment designed specifically to eliminate on-screen clutter and digital distractions. By forcing the interface into the background, this application allows authors and content creators to immerse themselves fully in their text, making it easier to enter a state of flow. The software replaces standard word processing ribbons and menus with a clean, full-screen canvas that puts your words front and center.
Key Features
- Hide-away Interface: Access menus, toolbars, and scrollbars only when you move your mouse to the edges of the screen, keeping your workspace completely clear while typing.
- Daily Goals: Set specific targets for word counts or writing duration to maintain a consistent habit and track your daily productivity progress.
- Customizable Themes: Personalize your environment by adjusting fonts, text colors, and background images to create an atmosphere that suits your creative mood.
- Typewriter Sound Effects: Enable optional audio feedback that mimics the mechanical sounds of a classic typewriter, adding a tactile feel to your digital drafting.
- Live Statistics: Monitor real-time data including word count, paragraph count, and character count without needing to open separate dialog boxes.
- Portable Mode: Run the application directly from a USB drive on Windows 10 or Windows 11 without requiring a full installation, preserving your settings across different machines.
Use Cases
Fiction writers and novelists utilize this tool to draft chapters without the temptation to edit or format prematurely. Students and academic researchers also benefit from the timer features to manage focused writing sprints during long thesis or essay sessions.
This open-source solution offers a refreshing alternative to complex office suites by prioritizing the writing process itself over formatting tools.
Version 1.8.13 — August 2025
Fixed:
- Crash when dragging justified text within the editor.
- Conflict when creating default symbol shortcuts.
- Columns in the symbols dialog displaying too wide.
- Compile error regarding QString::arg overload for char32_t.
- Various minor bug fixes and stability improvements.
