How to Use the Parental Controls in Windows 7

Windows 7 Parental Controls

Windows 7 contains Parental Controls, which can help parents monitor their child’s computer activity. This control allows parents to do a number of things, such as set time limits to computer usage, which games they can access, or what programs they can watch.

This gives parents the control over what their children are doing while on the computer. It will no longer be necessary to stand over your child’s shoulder to ensure they are not engaging in activity that is not appropriate. With Parental Controls, parents can allow their children to play on the computer without any worries.

How to Activate Parental Controls

1. Navagate to the Start button, and select Control Panel.

select control panel

2. Click on User Accounts and Family Safety.

User Accounts and Family Safety

3. Next, choose the Set Up Parental Controls For Any User.

Set Up Parental Controls

It may prompt you to enter the administrator password or confirmation. Provide the information that is requested, and click continue.

4. Choose the Standard User Account that you want to set up Parental Controls for.

If you have not set up a Standard User Account for your child yet, then you will need to select Create a New User Account.

5. Enable the Enforce Current Settings under the Parental Controls.

Enable Parental Controls

Now that the Parental Controls are on, you will be able to adjust settings.

  • Time Limits – You can set up time limits that will be activated when your child is logged on to the computer. You can also set times that the child is not allowed to log into the computer. This can help parents designate time for the child to do school and housework. It will allow you to set the log on hours, according to the day of the week.
  • Games – Set up which games your child is allowed to access. You can do this according to age-rating levels or type of content it contains. Parental Controls can be set to block specific games, as well as those that are Unrated.
  • Programs – Control which programs your child has access to. You can do this by rating, as well. Or you can name specific programs the child is not allowed to have access to.

Parental Controls for Windows 7 will not work if the computer is connected to a domain. If the child tries to access an activity that you have blocked, a notification will be displayed. Within the notification, the child has the option to request permission to access the activity. To grant permission, you will need to enter your account information.

You will need to be the admin of the computer to set up Parental Controls. Then set up a separate account for your child. If you have multiple children, you can set up an account for each one, which will allow you to set up different Parental Controls. These controls can only be set up on standard accounts, so be sure that all children have a standard user account.

You will also have the option to add on additional controls, which includes web filtering and activity logs. These controls will be granted through a different service provider, not Windows.