To set up parental controls on Windows 10, add your child to your Microsoft family: go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add a family member, choose Add a member, and enter your child’s email or create one. Have your child sign in to the PC with that account. Then manage screen time, website filters, app limits and purchases in the Microsoft Family Safety app or at family.microsoft.com.
Applies to: Windows 10 Home and Pro, version 22H2. Parental controls only work on Microsoft accounts, not local accounts. Last reviewed October 8, 2026. Windows 10 reached the end of standard support on October 14, 2025; for Windows 11, see how to set up parental controls on Windows 11.
Step 1: Add your child to your family
- Sign in to Windows with your own Microsoft account (you’ll be the family organizer).
- Open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
- Select Add a family member, then Add a member.
- Enter your child’s email address, or select Create one for a child to make a new Outlook.com address.
- Follow the prompts. If they already have an account, they’ll get an email invitation to accept.
Step 2: Have your child sign in on the PC
Restart the PC and choose your child’s account on the sign-in screen. The first sign-in sets up their profile. Controls apply only when they’re signed in with this account, so remove any other accounts they could use.
Step 3: Set the controls
Open the Family Safety app on your phone or go to family.microsoft.com, and select your child.
Screen time
Under Screen time, turn on limits for Windows devices and set how many hours a day and between which times the PC can be used. When time is up, the child can ask for more and you can approve from your phone. See how to set screen time limits.
Content filters
Under Content filters, turn on Filter inappropriate websites and searches. Filtering works in Microsoft Edge; when it’s on, other browsers like Chrome and Firefox are blocked so it can’t be bypassed. Add sites to Allowed or Blocked lists. To stop private browsing in Chrome on accounts you manage another way, see how to disable Incognito mode in Chrome.
Apps and games
Set an age rating so games and apps from the Microsoft Store above that age need your approval. You can also set time limits for individual apps.
Spending
Turn on Ask to buy so purchases in the Microsoft Store need your OK, or add money to their account for them to spend.
Activity reports
Turn on Activity reporting to get weekly emails about screen time, apps used and searches. To check usage yourself, see how to see screen time on Windows 10.
Tips
- Make your child’s account a standard user, not an administrator, so they can’t change settings or remove controls.
- Explain the limits; reasonable rules work better than surprises.
- Review the settings as your child gets older.
Troubleshooting
Limits aren’t working
Check the child is signed in with their Microsoft account, the PC is online, and the account shows as a child in Family & other users. Settings can take a few minutes to sync.
The child can still use Chrome
Turn on website filtering, which blocks other browsers. If Chrome was used through a different account, remove that account.
Can’t add a family member
You must be signed in with a Microsoft account, not a local account. Switch in Settings > Accounts > Your info.
Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Family Safety free?
Yes, the core features are free.
How do I turn parental controls off?
Remove the child from your family at family.microsoft.com, or turn off each limit. See how to remove Microsoft Family Safety.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.