Set Up Parental Controls on Windows 11

Windows 11 offers built-in parental controls to manage your child's device usage, screen time, and app access. This guide walks you through creating a child account and enabling the settings you need.

Before You Start

• You'll need an admin account on the Windows 11 device
• Have your Microsoft account credentials ready
• Your child should not yet have a local Windows account set up (or you'll migrate it)

Do this tonight · 15 min

Create a Child Account

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I or clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings.
2. Navigate to Accounts in the left sidebar.
3. Select "Other people" or "Family & other people" (the exact label varies by recent updates).
4. Click "Add account" or "Add a family member" to begin creating a child account.
5. Choose "Add a child account" when prompted.
6. Enter your child's email address, or select "Create a new email address" if they don't have one yet. If you create a new email, Windows will walk you through Outlook setup.
7. Confirm the account creation. Windows will create the account and link it to your Microsoft family group.

Enable Screen Time Limits

1. Return to Settings > Accounts > Family & other people.
2. Click on your child's account to open their settings.
3. Select "Screen time" or "App and game limits" in the options that appear.
4. Toggle on screen time limits if the option is available.
5. Set daily limits by clicking on each day of the week and specifying the maximum hours and minutes. For example, set "2 hours" for weekdays and "3 hours" for weekends.
6. Choose bedtime hours if a separate "Bedtime" toggle appears. This will lock the device during specified hours.
7. Save your changes. The limits take effect immediately.

Restrict Apps and Games

1. In the same child account settings, look for "App restrictions" or "Apps & games".
2. Toggle on app restrictions if the setting is available.
3. Browse the list of installed apps and toggle off or block any apps you don't want your child to access (games, browsers, social media apps, etc.).
4. Check content maturity ratings. Some versions allow you to set an age-appropriate rating threshold (e.g., "E for Everyone" or "T for Teen").
5. Save changes. Restricted apps will no longer appear in your child's app list or Start menu.

Manage Spending and Microsoft Store

1. In your child's account settings, find "Spending" or "Microsoft Store" restrictions.
2. Toggle on spending limits if the option appears.
3. Set a monthly spending limit in your local currency (or set it to $0 to prevent any purchases).
4. Review pending requests. If "Ask for permission" is enabled, you'll receive approval requests for any app or game purchase your child attempts.
5. Save your changes.

Review Activity Reports

1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other people.
2. Click on your child's account.
3. Select "Activity" or "View activity" to see screen time usage, app launches, and website visits (if available).
4. Check the report regularly to ensure limits are being respected and to adjust rules as needed.

Sign Your Child In

1. Log out of your admin account or restart the PC.
2. Sign in with your child's account to test that restrictions are working.
3. Try opening a restricted app or leaving the device idle to confirm screen time limits apply.
4. Return to your admin account and make adjustments if needed.

Troubleshooting

• Account not syncing: Ensure both your admin account and your child's account are signed in to the same Microsoft family group. Go to account.microsoft.com and verify family members in your family settings.
• Limits not enforcing: Restart the device or sign your child out and back in.
• Can't find the option: Screen time and app restrictions moved in recent Windows 11 updates. Check Settings > Apps > App permissions or Settings > System > Notifications & actions if the expected menu is missing.

Next Steps

• Set a strong password for your child's account that you know but they shouldn't use to change settings.
• Enable sign-in requirements for sensitive settings (Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options).
• Periodically review activity and adjust screen time as your child grows.
• Consider using Microsoft Edge's Family Safe browsing mode for additional web filtering.