Windows 7 / Security and Privacy

Parental Controls

Although Windows XP was the first version of Windows to make user accounts truly usable, Windows Vista was the first to make them safe for children. In that OS, Microsoft first offered Parental Controls that can be applied to your children's accounts to keep them away from the bad stuff online and off, and give you peace of mind that was previously lacking when the kids got on a computer. Like Windows Vista, Windows 7's Parental Controls are available on a per-user basis.

Tip Parental Controls are available in Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, and Ultimate, but not Professional or Enterprise.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Users, Accounts, and UAC
  2. Understanding User Accounts
  3. Creating the Initial User Account
  4. Understanding Account Types
  5. User Account Control
  6. How UAC Works
  7. How UAC Has Changed in Windows 7
  8. Changing How UAC Works (The Hard Way)
  9. Parental Controls
  10. Configuring Parental Controls
  11. Running as Standard User with Parental Controls
  12. Extending Parental Controls with Windows Live Family Safety