SnapTimer is a simple, free, portable countdown timer for Windows.

All the timers I tested were too complex for my taste. I decided to write one that was dead simple, so you could run it, type in a time and hit enter. The aim of SnapTimer is to get out of the way and help you be productive. It's fast, lightweight and simple to use, but powerful too.

A popular productivity strategy is to use a timer to do mini-sprints of work. Using SnapTimer I've increased my productivity and reduced procrastination. It's easier to get yourself to work on a difficult task for 5 minutes because there's a known end point.

Features

• Simple, clean interface
• Displays time in the taskbar, as a hint in the tray and even in the right-click menu of the tray icon.
• Tray icons indicate the mode of the timer (running, paused, completed)
• Multiple alert types - message box, tray icon popup, audio file and any application
• Stopwatch mode when you set minutes to 0
• Play an optional ticking sound while the timer is running
• Countdown can be paused and restarted, or reset
• Portable (runs from your USB flash drive)
• Can stay on top of other windows
• No install required
• Low RAM usage
• Can automatically start counting down immediately
• Includes over 20 loop-friendly alarm sounds (Meaning they'll play over and over until you reset the timer)
• Can automatically restart timer when it finishes
• Lets you quickly and easily change the countdown time with mouse or keyboard shortcuts
• Automatically saves all settings (optional)
• Accepts time as command line argument, so you can create preset timer shortcuts or run the timer from a launcher (FARR, Launchy).
• Can be minimized to tray
• Supports multiple instances (You should disable always on top and probably autosave settings as well)
• Can be docked to a corner, in the center or restore the last screen location
• No internet access required
• Doesn't write to your registry
• No ads, spyware or malware
• 100% free

Tips

• When the program starts, type the number of minutes (or leave the default), then press Enter to start the countdown
• To pause / reset the countdown:
   Click the start / pause button
   Click the tray icon
   Click on the timer numerals
• Double-click on the timer numerals to reset the countdown
• Use the arrow keys to increase or decrease the number of minutes by multiples of 5
• Use the Escape (Esc) key to exit the program
• Set the minutes to 0 to count up

Works on all versions of Windows, 32 and 64-bit.

SnapTimer is freeware and can be used for private or commercial use.

How to install: No installation required. Just unzip the downloaded archive and run SnapTimer.exe

Download it

Mentioned elsewhere

• 9 Simple Focus Enhancers from CIO.com
• Reliable countdown timer from The Kim Komando Show
• Five Best Windows Timers on Lifehacker
• PortableFreeware
• FreewareFiles
• Softpedia
• Snapfiles
• Softoxi (video)
• Tucows
• Softsea

Updated Jun 04, 2011