How to Set Up and Use Windows Live Family Safety

Windows Live Family Safety is a free parental control tool provided by Microsoft. It allows you to monitor and manage the online activities of your children, helping you create a safe browsing environment. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of setting up and using Windows Live Family Safety on Windows 10.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, there are a few prerequisites you need to fulfill:

Ensure you have a Microsoft account. If you don't have one, you can create it for free at https://account.microsoft.com.
Make sure you are using a Windows 10 computer. Although Windows Live Family Safety is no longer officially supported, it can still be set up and used on Windows 10.

Step 1: Install Windows Live Family Safety

Open your preferred web browser and visit the Windows Essentials download page. Look for the "Windows Essentials 2012" link and click on it.
Once the download is complete, run the installer. In the installation wizard, select "Choose the programs you want to install" and uncheck all the options except for "Family Safety."
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. After the installation finishes, you will find the "Family Safety" application in your Start menu.

Step 2: Set Up Windows Live Family Safety

Open the "Family Safety" application from the Start menu.
Sign in using your Microsoft account credentials. If you haven't signed in to your Microsoft account on your Windows 10 computer, you might need to sign in at this point.
After signing in, you will be prompted to create a new family or join an existing one. If you haven't set up a family group before, select the "Create a family group" option and follow the instructions to set up your family group.
Add the account(s) you want to monitor and manage by clicking the "Add a child" or "Add an adult" button and entering their Microsoft account email address.
Once you have added the necessary accounts, you can customize the settings by clicking on each family member's name. Here, you can configure web filtering, app & game restrictions, time limits, activity reporting, and more.
Adjust the settings according to your preferences and the needs of each family member. Microsoft provides detailed explanations and options for each setting to help you make informed decisions.
Repeat steps 4-6 for each additional family member you want to monitor and manage.

Step 3: Monitor and Manage Family Safety Settings

To monitor the online activity of your family members, return to the "Family Safety" application and sign in if necessary.
From the main screen, click on each family member's name to view their recent activity, time usage, and other details.
You can also access the "Family Safety" website (https://account.microsoft.com/family) to remotely monitor and manage the settings.
To make changes to the settings, click on the family member's profile, navigate to the desired section (e.g., web filtering, time limits), and adjust the settings accordingly.
On the "Family Safety" website, you can also generate activity reports, modify restrictions, and review requests received from family members.

Conclusion

By following this tutorial, you have successfully set up and started using Windows Live Family Safety. This powerful tool enables you to create a safer digital experience for your family by monitoring and managing their online activities. Remember to periodically review and adjust the settings to ensure an appropriate online environment for each family member.