Windows Vista and Parental Controls

Do you have a hard time controlling the amount of TV your child watches during his/her leisure time? Many people may have this problem, but there is good news. It is not so difficult to control how your child is using the home computer.

To Limit Computer Hour Usage, just follow some simple directions.

Go to:

1.) Start Menu >>> Control Panel; this is where you will open up the Parental Controls option under the User Accounts option. Choose the Set Up link.

2.) Choose which account you wish to configure time limits for on the following screen.

3.) If Parental Controls is shown to be turned off, just select the On option. On the Radio Button under Parental Controls, click the Time Limits Link.

4.) A Day/Hours time grid should appear. Click and drag to highlight and set blocked hours (blocked cells show as Blue). To Undo, just click and drag again.

5.) Click Ok when you are done.

Another useful feature is Limiting Internet Usage. This can be referred to as 'website blocking'. Again, you must go into Control Panel and Parental Controls. Once you have opened Parental Controls, choose the Windows Vista Web Filter link. Again, make sure that Parental Controls is showed to be On. Here you can choose to block or allow certain websites by compiling a list of inappropriate websites. Web Restriction levels can also be chosen. Choose each one to read a summary of each level. The medium Web Restrictions level is set by default. To block all web content, except for website approved for children; set the web restriction level to High. File downloading can also be blocked through Parental Controls.

Sometimes kids will use any program on a computer, without knowing exactly what the program is intended for. The Parental Controls option allows parent to choose which programs their children are using.

To Prevent Users from Running Programs:

1.) Open Windows Vista Parental Controls and choose the proper account to be modified; then choose the Allow and Block Specific Programs link.

2). Two options are given to you. Choose "can only use the programs I allow" .

3.) All programs will be shown is a table. To block a program, check the box next to it. Use Browse for programs not listed.

4.) Once you have made your choices, click Ok.

Computer Games can sometimes be an issue when you have both younger and older children in the same household. Parental Controls will allow you to prevent younger kids from playing inappropriate games.

1.) Go to Parental Controls, choose the account to be modified.

2.) Click the Games link. Here you can choose to block games based on ratings or by names. For young children, it may be easier to block games based on the Ratings option. Each option displays another screen from which you check what settings you wish to impose.

3.) Click Ok once you have chosen your own settings.

Another useful way to monitor what your child is doing on your computer is through Activity Reports. These reports will show computer usage. When you open Parental Controls, the second option down allows you to turn on/off Activity Reports. Under the Account Picture is a link from which you can view these activity reports. Once each phase here is completed, you have been given complete control over what your child can and cannot do on the computer.

Below is a link to Microsoft's Website on Vista Parental Controls.

Microsoft Windows Vista: Parental Control Features