Set Up Parental Controls and Family Safety on Windows

Microsoft offers free family safety tools built into Windows and available through the Family Safety app. You don't need to pay for third-party software to set up basic parental controls for younger children.

Step 1: Create a Microsoft Account for Your Child

Parental controls on Windows work through Microsoft Family Safety, which requires each family member to have a Microsoft account.

1. Go to account.microsoft.com/family and sign in with your own Microsoft account.
2. Click Add a family member > Create an account for a child.
3. Follow the steps to create a child account. If your child is under 13 (US) or the relevant age in your country, the account will automatically be a child account with restrictions.

Step 2: Set Up the Child's Windows Account

On your child's computer:

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family.
2. Click Add someone and enter the child's Microsoft account email.
3. Sign them out of your account and have them sign in with theirs.

Step 3: Configure Controls in Family Safety

From your own account at account.microsoft.com/family (or in the free Microsoft Family Safety app on your phone), you can:

• Screen time limits — set daily limits for PC use and specific hours when the device can be used.
• Content filters — restrict web browsing and filter out adult content (works in Microsoft Edge; note that other browsers should be removed or restricted on the child's account).
• App and game filters — only allow age-appropriate apps, based on content ratings.
• Spending limits — set a maximum allowance for Microsoft Store purchases.
• Activity reports — see what sites have been visited and which apps have been used.

Step 4: Keep Other Browsers Off the Child Account

Content filtering works best in Microsoft Edge on a child account. If Chrome or Firefox are installed, they may bypass the filters. You can remove them from the child's account by going to Settings > Apps when signed in as an administrator.

If you need help setting this up, ask us and we'll guide you through it.