How to protect Windows computers with WhitelistVideo
Set up WhitelistVideo on your child's Windows PC to filter YouTube content. Choose the right protection level based on your child's age and tech-savviness.
What protection levels are available?
WhitelistVideo offers three levels of protection for Windows computers. Each level adds more security to prevent your child from bypassing the filter.
| Protection Level | Can Child Remove? | Best For | Setup Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extension Only | Yes (easily) | Older teens, trust-based | 2 minutes |
| EXE Installer | No (needs admin password) | Most families | 5 minutes |
| EXE + Child Account | No (very difficult) | Younger children | 15 minutes |
Our Recommendation: For children under 13, use the EXE Installer with a Windows child account. For teens 13+, the EXE Installer alone provides good protection.
How do I choose the right protection level?
Extension Only (Basic)
- Your child can remove the extension at any time
- No admin access required to bypass
- Good for: Older teens who you trust, or for testing WhitelistVideo
EXE Installer (Recommended)
- Extension cannot be removed without admin password
- Chrome shows "Managed by your organization" badge
- Developer tools blocked to prevent bypasses
- Good for: Most families with children of any age
EXE + Child Account (Maximum)
- All EXE protections plus Windows Family Safety
- Child uses a Standard (non-admin) Windows account
- Cannot install software or change settings
- Good for: Younger children, tech-savvy kids who try to bypass
What does each setup protect?
| Protection | Extension Only | EXE Installer | EXE + Child Account |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extension removal blocked | No | Yes | Yes |
| Developer tools blocked | No | Yes | Yes |
| Other extensions blocked | No | Optional | Optional |
| Admin password required | No | Yes | Yes |
| Windows settings locked | No | No | Yes |
| App installation blocked | No | No | Yes |
How to get started
Choose your protection level and follow the setup guides:
Which browsers does WhitelistVideo support?
| Browser | Extension | EXE Lockdown |
|---|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Edge | Yes | Yes |
| Firefox | No | Restrict separately with Family Safety app controls |
| Brave | No | Restrict separately with Family Safety app controls |
| Opera | No | Restrict separately with Family Safety app controls |
Important: The installer protects Chrome and Edge. Use Microsoft Family Safety app controls to block Firefox, Brave, Opera, and other browser apps. Family Safety's website filtering works in Edge only, so app restrictions are the relevant layer for alternative browsers.
Troubleshooting
My child can still remove the extension
- You need to install the EXE lockdown installer
- Follow the EXE installation guide
My child uses a different browser
- Confirm that the installer is active in Chrome and Edge
- Use Microsoft Family Safety to block unsupported browser apps, then test them from the child's Standard account
I need maximum protection
- Combine the EXE installer with a Windows child account
- Set up a child account