Family Safety: parental controls on a Windows PC

Microsoft Family Safety lets a parent set screen time limits, filter websites and see what a child does on their Windows PC. It needs each child to have their own Microsoft account, which can be free.

Before you start

• You need a Microsoft account of your own, as the parent or organiser.
• Each child needs their own sign-in to the PC. Do not let a child use your account.
• Children who are under 13 normally need a parent's consent when their account is created.

Add a child

1. Open Settings, then Accounts, then Family (Windows 10: Family & other users).
2. Choose Add someone or Add a family member.
3. Create a child account, or enter their existing Microsoft account email.
4. They accept the invitation by email, and you manage everything from your own account.

Set the rules

Sign in at family.microsoft.com with your account, or use the Microsoft Family Safety app on your phone. For each child you can:

• Set a screen time limit and when the PC can be used.
• Block certain apps and games, and set age ratings.
• Turn on web and search filtering, and see activity reports.
• Ask to approve purchases from the Microsoft Store.

What to know

• Web filtering works in Microsoft Edge. When it is on, other browsers can be blocked on that PC, because they are not covered.
• The rules only apply while the child signs in with their own account on a device that is part of the family group.
• Talk with children about the rules. Filters help, but they are not perfect.

Local accounts

If you would rather not use a Microsoft account, you can still create a standard user on the PC, but the screen time and filtering tools will not be available.

When to get more help

Get in touch if the child account is not appearing in your family group, if blocked sites are still opening, or if you want help setting up controls on a router for the whole home. We can talk you through it step by step.