Windows child account setup

Create a Microsoft child account to enable parental controls and Family Safety features on Windows.

Video tutorial

Why you need a child account

• Enables Family Safety - Without a child account, you cannot use Microsoft's parental controls
• Prevents admin access - Your child won't be able to install apps, change system settings, or disable protections
• Separate user profile - Keeps your files and settings private from your child's account
• Activity monitoring - Track your child's computer usage, including screen time and app usage

Before you start

You'll need:

• A Microsoft account for yourself (parent/guardian)
• Your child's information (name, birthdate)
• Access to your email or phone for verification codes
• Your child's Windows computer
• About 15 minutes for setup

Step 1: create a Microsoft account for your child

If your child doesn't already have a Microsoft account:

Option A: Create During Family Setup (Recommended)

1. Go to family.microsoft.com (opens in a new tab)
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account
3. Click Add a family member
4. Select Member then click Next
5. Click Create one for a child
6. Enter your child's information:
   • First and last name
   • Email address (will create a new @outlook.com address)
   • Password (help your child choose a secure one)
   • Country and birthdate
7. Complete the verification process

Option B: Create Separately First

1. Go to account.microsoft.com (opens in a new tab)
2. Click Create a Microsoft account
3. Create an email address for your child
4. Enter your child's birthdate
5. If under 13, you'll be prompted to get parental consent
6. Follow the consent process using your own Microsoft account

Official guide: Create a Microsoft account for your child (opens in a new tab)

Step 2: Add Your Child to Your Family Group

If you didn't create the account through family.microsoft.com:

1. Go to family.microsoft.com (opens in a new tab)
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account
3. Click Add a family member
4. Select Member
5. Enter your child's Microsoft account email
6. Click Next and follow the prompts
7. Your child will receive an invitation email—have them accept it

Official guide: Add someone to your family group (opens in a new tab)

Step 3: Create a User Account on Windows

Now set up your child's account on their Windows computer:

On Windows 11:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Family
2. Under Your family, find your child's name
3. Click Let them sign in
4. Follow the prompts to add their Microsoft account to this PC

On Windows 10:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Family & other users
2. Under Your family, click Add a family member
3. Click Add a member
4. Enter your child's Microsoft account email
5. Click Next and Confirm

First sign-in

1. Sign out of your account or restart the computer
2. At the Windows sign-in screen, select your child's account
3. Enter their Microsoft account password
4. Windows will set up their profile (this takes a few minutes)

Step 4: Verify Family Safety is Active

After your child signs in:

1. On your (parent) computer or phone, go to family.microsoft.com (opens in a new tab)
2. Click on your child's name
3. You should see their device listed under Devices
4. Check that Screen time, Content filters, and App and game limits options are available

Test the Setup

1. Have your child try to access an inappropriate website
2. The page should be blocked with a "This page is blocked" message
3. Check that app installation requires your approval

Step 5: Set Account as Standard (Not Administrator)

To verify your child has a standard account:

1. Sign into Windows with YOUR (parent) account
2. Go to Settings → Accounts → Family (Windows 11) or Family & other users (Windows 10)
3. Click on your child's account
4. Under Account type, ensure it says Standard User
5. If it says Administrator, click Change account type and select Standard User

Troubleshooting

"I don't see my child in Family Safety"

1. Make sure you added them to your family group at family.microsoft.com (opens in a new tab)
2. Verify they accepted the family invitation (check their email)
3. Ensure they're signed in with the same Microsoft account on their Windows PC
4. Wait a few minutes for settings to sync

"My child can't sign in to Windows"

1. Verify the Microsoft account email is correct
2. Reset their password at account.live.com (opens in a new tab)
3. Make sure the computer has internet access
4. Try restarting the computer

"Family Safety settings aren't applying"

1. Ensure the Windows PC is connected to the internet
2. Sign out and sign back in to refresh settings
3. Go to Settings → Accounts → Your info and verify the correct Microsoft account is shown
4. Check family.microsoft.com (opens in a new tab) to confirm settings are saved

"My child has admin access"

1. Sign in with your (parent) account
2. Change your child's account type to Standard User
3. Restart the computer
4. Verify they can no longer access Settings → Accounts without permission

Account types explained

Official resources

• Create a Microsoft account for your child (opens in a new tab)
• Add people to your family group (opens in a new tab)
• Set up Microsoft Family Safety (opens in a new tab)
• Manage your child's account settings (opens in a new tab)

Next steps

After creating your child's account:

1. Configure parental controls - Set up Windows Family Safety to block browsers and restrict apps
2. Install WhitelistVideo - Add the extension to Chrome on your child's computer
3. Test the protections - Make sure your child can't bypass the restrictions