Windows Family Safety Setup Guide

What is Microsoft Family Safety?

Microsoft Family Safety is a free parental control system built into Windows 10 and 11. It provides comprehensive controls including web filtering, app and game restrictions, screen time limits, location tracking, and detailed activity reports. Best of all, it's completely free and integrates seamlessly with Windows and Microsoft services.

You can manage Family Safety from any device through the Family Safety app (Android/iOS) or the web portal at family.microsoft.com.

🚀 Setting Up Family Safety

Step 1: Create a Microsoft Family Group

1. Visit family.microsoft.com

   Open a web browser and go to family.microsoft.com

2. Sign in with your Microsoft account

   Use the account you want to designate as the parent/organizer account.

3. Click "Add a family member"

   Choose whether to add a child or another adult.

4. For a child under 13

   Select "Create an account for a child" and follow the prompts to create their Microsoft account.

5. For a child 13 or older

   Enter their existing Microsoft account email, or create a new one for them.

6. Send invitation

   An invitation email will be sent. The child (or teen) must accept the invitation.

💻 Setting Up the Child's Windows PC

Create a Windows Account for Your Child

1. Open Windows Settings

   Press Windows key + I, or click Start → Settings

2. Go to Accounts → Family & other users

   In Windows 11: Settings → Accounts → Other users

3. Click "Add a family member"

   Or "Add account" → "Add a child"

4. Sign in with child's Microsoft account

   Enter the email and password for the account you created earlier.

5. Complete the account setup

   Windows will configure the account with Family Safety enabled automatically.

6. Set up their desktop and preferences

   Sign in to their account to complete first-time setup and install apps they'll need.

🌐 Web Filtering & Content Restrictions

Enable Web Filtering

1. Go to family.microsoft.com
2. Click your child's name
3. Click "Content filters"
4. Under "Web and search":
   • Toggle "Filter inappropriate websites and searches" to ON
   • Choose "Use Microsoft Edge only" (recommended for better filtering)
5. Scroll down to manage allowed and blocked websites manually

SafeSearch Enforcement

When web filtering is enabled, SafeSearch is automatically enforced on Bing, Google, and other search engines when using Microsoft Edge.

Managing Website Lists

• Always allowed: Add educational sites, school portals, trusted resources
• Always blocked: Add specific sites you want to block beyond automatic filtering

📱 Apps, Games & Media Restrictions

App and Game Age Ratings

1. In family.microsoft.com, select your child
2. Click "Apps and games"
3. Set age-appropriate content ratings:
   • Apps & Games: 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+, or Adults only
   • Media: Set ratings for movies, TV, music, and books
4. Toggle "Block inappropriate apps, games, and media" to ON
5. Optionally require approval for all app/game purchases

Blocking Specific Apps

• Scroll down to see list of installed apps on their PC
• Toggle OFF any apps you want to block
• Child won't be able to launch blocked apps

⏰ Screen Time Management

Setting Daily Time Limits

1. In family.microsoft.com, select your child
2. Click "Screen time"
3. Toggle "Use one schedule for all devices" or customize per device
4. For each day of the week:
   • Set maximum hours of use (e.g., 3 hours on school days, 5 hours on weekends)
   • Set time ranges when the device can be used (e.g., 6 AM to 9 PM)
5. Click Save

Device-Specific Schedules

If your child uses multiple devices (PC, Xbox, phone), you can set different limits for each, or use one unified schedule across all devices.

Adding Bonus Time

• When time runs out, child can request more time
• Parent receives notification and can approve or deny
• Or grant bonus time proactively from the Family Safety portal

📊 Activity Reports & Monitoring

Viewing Activity Reports

1. Go to family.microsoft.com or open Family Safety app
2. Select your child
3. View the dashboard showing:
   • Screen time: Total time on each device
   • Web browsing: Most visited sites
   • Apps & games: Most used applications and gaming time
   • Searches: What they've searched for
4. Click "View activity" for detailed reports

Email Reports

• Set up weekly email summaries of your child's activity
• Receive alerts for concerning searches or attempts to visit blocked sites

📍 Location Tracking (Mobile App Required)

Setting Up Location Features

1. Install Microsoft Family Safety app on parent's mobile device
2. Install on child's mobile device
3. Sign in with respective accounts
4. Enable location permissions on child's device
5. View child's location in the Family Safety app

Note: Location tracking is primarily for mobile devices, not Windows PCs.

🎮 Xbox & Microsoft Services

Family Safety extends to Xbox consoles, providing consistent protection across devices:

• Screen time limits apply to Xbox gaming
• Game content ratings enforced
• Purchase approval required
• Online communication and multiplayer settings
• Activity reports include gaming activity

See our Gaming Consoles Guide for detailed Xbox setup.

❓ Troubleshooting Common Issues

⚖️ Pros & Cons of Microsoft Family Safety