Microsoft Family Safety
Key takeaways
- As a parent you can control the websites your children can access.
- You can limit device time.
- Create healthy habits and help protect the ones you love.
Microsoft Family Safety is a free application that offers parental control features
It helps you create a safer and healthier online environment for your child or children, such as setting screen time limits and filtering inappropriate content.
If you receive a laptop from The Smith Family, Microsoft Family Safety will be pre-installed. However, you will need to create an account to use its features. We recommend setting up Microsoft Family Safety to help keep your child or children safe online.
Before you start the setup, please make sure you have:
- an internet connection
- Microsoft Edge installed on your laptop
- a Windows device. If not, you can explore other parental control options
Step 1
Setting up a Microsoft Account
The first step to set up Microsoft Family Safety is to create a Microsoft account. The video below shows you how to create a Microsoft account on your Windows laptop. Alternatively, you can download the step-by-step checklist at the bottom of the page.
If you are creating a Microsoft account on a browser, follow the steps from 00:37 to 01:41. If you already have an account, please jump to Step 2: Adding your child to Microsoft Family Safety .
Important notes
- Username: Choose a name that is professional, memorable and simple. It is something you can use long-term on many occasions, such as school communication and job applications.
- Availability message: Different messages may pop out depending on your situation. Each one explains the error and how you can resolve it.
- Face recognition (optional function): This sign-in option requires your laptop to have a camera that scans your facial features.
- Fingerprint (optional function): This sign-in option requires your laptop to have a biometric sensor that scans your fingerprint.
- PIN: Avoid using simple patterns like 0000 or personal information that is easy to guess like birthdate. It is usually 4 to 6 digits long.
- Account details:Write down the details so that you don't lose them, which could make it difficult to recover your account later.
Microsoft suite of apps
Download the checklist
Step 2
Adding your child to Microsoft Family Safety
The second step is to add your child to your Microsoft Family Safety group. You can follow the video below to set it up. After adding your child, you can also allow quick access to your child's account on your laptop (video from 03:12). Alternatively, you can download the step-by-step checklists at the bottom of the page.
Important notes
- Username: Choose a name that is professional, memorable and simple. It is something you can use long-term on many occasions, such as school communication and job applications.
- Availability message: Different messages may pop out depending on your situation. Each one explains the error and how you can resolve it.
- Child account: If you prefer, you don't need to create an email address for each child. If you have at least one child account, Microsoft Family Safety can be set up.
- Birthdate:Children will gain more control over their accounts when they turn 13.
- Account details:Write down the details so that you don't lose them.
Logging in to your child's account for the first time:
When you log in to your child's account for the first time, you will be required to set up a PIN (usually 4 to 6 digits) for the child's account. Choose a PIN that is easy to remember but avoid simple patterns like 0000 or personal information.
We recommend parents move commonly used software to the desktop, which is the interface you see when no applications are open. For example, Microsoft Edge and Outlook are software your child might use a lot. If your child wants to download something on the laptop, they'll also be prompted to ask the parent for a PIN.
Your child's account has all been set up. You can now proceed to Step 3 .
PDF checklist to allow your child quick access on your laptop.
Step 3
Setting up child safety features (Screen time, Content filtering)
Once you have completed the initial set up, you can access the features on Microsoft Family Safety.
The videos below show you how to set up:
- Screen time, which allows you to set time limits on how long your child can use the laptop.
- Content filtering, which allows you to block websites your child can access.
Alternatively, you can download the step-by-step checklists linked with each of the videos.
Screen time
This feature allows you to set time limits on how long your child can use the laptop. Watch the video and/or download the checklist.
Content filtering feature
This feature allows you to block websites your child can access. Watch the video and/or download the checklist.
Important notes
- Web Browser: Only Microsoft Edge works for Microsoft Family Safety. If it's not already set as your default browser, you can do so by following these instructions.
- Features:The features may take up to 24 hours to be activated after setup.
Step 4
Securing your laptop with a phone number verification method
The last step to set up Microsoft Family Safety is securing your device by adding a verification method. There are 2 options, phone number or email address. The video below shows you how to add your phone number as a verification method. Alternatively, you can download the step-by-step checklist at the bottom of the page.
If you want to use your email as a verification method instead, the steps are very similar to those demonstrated in the video below. You will receive the verification code via email instead of SMS.
Important notes
- Phone number: Choose a phone number that is easy to access and unlikely to change. If you change your phone number, be sure to update the account details before losing access.
- Email verification: Sometimes, the verification email is sent to your spam or junk folder instead of your inbox.
- Security: Adding both a phone number and email can further secure your account. If you lose access to one method, you get the option to use the other to verify your identity.
An additional verification method on your device can help you avoid unauthorised access to your device and potential online threats. The Understanding Online Security article provides information on how to stay safe online.
Setup complete!
End of article
