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How to Set a Timer on Windows 11 (Clock App, Cortana, Focus Sessions)
How to set a timer on Windows — Clock app, Focus Sessions, Cortana, Copilot, PowerShell, browser.
To set a timer on Windows 11: open the Clock app from the Start menu, click the Timer tab, set a duration, and press Start. For voice control, say “Hey Cortana, set a timer for 10 minutes” if Cortana is enabled, or use any browser-based timer in Edge or Chrome. Windows 11 simplified the Clock app significantly compared to Windows 10.
How Do You Open the Windows Clock App?
The Windows Clock app is preinstalled on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Press the Start button, type “clock,” and click the Clock app result. The app has four tabs: Focus Sessions, Timer, Alarm, World Clock, and Stopwatch.
How Do You Set a Timer in Windows Clock?
- Open the Clock app.
- Click the Timer tab in the left sidebar.
- Click the plus icon in the bottom-right to add a new timer (or click the edit pencil on an existing tile).
- Enter hours, minutes, and seconds, plus an optional name.
- Click Save, then click the play arrow on the timer tile.
Saved timers persist between sessions — useful if you reuse the same durations daily.
How Do You Use Focus Sessions in Windows 11 Clock?
Windows 11 added a Focus Sessions feature to the Clock app — effectively a built-in Pomodoro. Open Clock > Focus Sessions, choose a session length (15-240 minutes), and the app guides you through a focused work block with optional 5-minute breaks every 30 minutes. It integrates with Spotify (background music) and Microsoft To Do (link tasks to focus sessions).
This is the closest thing to a native Pomodoro timer on Windows. For more comprehensive Pomodoro options, see our best Pomodoro apps roundup.
How Do You Set a Timer With Cortana?
If Cortana is enabled — note that Microsoft is deprecating Cortana as a standalone assistant in favor of Copilot — say “Hey Cortana, set a timer for 10 minutes.” Cortana replies and the timer fires a notification when complete.
On newer Windows 11 builds (2024+), Microsoft is integrating timer commands into Copilot. The exact phrasing varies, but “set a timer” works in both.
How Do You Set a Timer From PowerShell?
For scripting and developer workflows:
Start-Sleep -Seconds 300; [console]::beep(1000,500)This pauses for 5 minutes (300 seconds) and then beeps. You can chain commands to run a notification or play a sound file. PowerShell timers are command-line only — there is no visual countdown by default, though you can add one with a progress bar.
What Changed in Windows 11 Clock vs Windows 10?
| Feature | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
|---|---|---|
| App name | Alarms & Clock | Clock |
| Multiple timers | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Sessions | No | Yes (Pomodoro) |
| Spotify integration | No | Yes |
| Microsoft To Do integration | No | Yes |
| UI design | Fluent | Mica + WinUI 3 |
How Do You Set a Timer From the Browser on Windows?
The fastest no-install timer on Windows is a browser tab. Type “5 minute timer” into Google Search or open our 5-minute timer. The browser tab handles countdown and sound; pinning the tab in Microsoft Edge or Chrome keeps it always accessible.
Does Windows Have a Pomodoro Timer Built In?
Yes, via Focus Sessions in the Clock app (Windows 11 only). For Windows 10 users or those who want more control over interval lengths, third-party apps like Pomodoro Timer or our browser-based Pomodoro timer work well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Windows timer not make a sound?
Check Settings > System > Notifications and confirm Clock is allowed to play sounds. Also check that the system volume mixer has the Clock app unmuted.
Can I set multiple timers in Windows Clock?
Yes. Each saved timer tile can be started and run concurrently with others.
Does the Windows timer work when the PC sleeps?
No — system sleep suspends the timer. Use the Wake Timer feature in Power Options to schedule a wake event for important alerts.
How do I delete a timer in Windows Clock?
Right-click a timer tile and choose Delete, or click the edit pencil and then the trash icon.
Is there a keyboard shortcut to start a Windows timer?
Not natively. Some third-party tools like AutoHotkey can bind a hotkey to launch a timer.
Can I use Copilot to set a timer?
Yes, on Windows 11 with Copilot enabled. Say “set a timer for 10 minutes” through Copilot voice or the chat input.
For full citations and methodology, see our sources page.
Browse Related Guide Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This timer uses your device's internal clock and tracks the end timestamp, not individual ticks. This means it stays accurate even if your browser tab goes to sleep or your device briefly lags.
Absolutely. This timer works on any device with a modern web browser—phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. No app download required.
Yes. When the countdown reaches zero, a clear audio alert plays automatically. Make sure your device volume is turned up. You can also replay the sound if you missed it.