Set restrictions on apps, games, and media To set limits on the apps, games, and media your child can use, you set an age-based rating level. Then, kids can use apps, games, and media that are rated appropriately for their age, but not ones that are too mature for them. If your child downloaded something before you set these limits, you can block it where it appears on the Recent activity page, and your child won't be able to use it until you allow it again.
If kids want to use a blocked app or game, they can ask your permission. You can respond to permission requests from your email or from the
family page on the Microsoft account website.
Note
Before Windows 10, app and game restrictions had two separate On/Off switches—one for apps, and one for games. Now, both are managed with one switch. If you previously only turned on restrictions for one of them but not the other, and haven't changed them since, then those settings still apply. However, if you visit
family on the Microsoft account website and turn app, game and media restrictions off and then on again, apps, games, and media will be restricted.
To use age-based rating levels- Select Apps, games & media, and switch Block inappropriate apps and games from Off to On.
- Go to Limit apps and games and select the age level that's appropriate for your child.
Note
On devices running Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 or older versions of Windows, all apps and games that don't have an age rating are blocked by default when you turn on app and game restrictions. This helps protect younger kids from using inappropriate apps or playing games that are too mature for them, but it may also block certain apps that you want older kids to be able to use—including productivity apps like word processors and spreadsheets. You may want to turn on app and game restrictions for younger kids, but choose to monitor older kids’ activity using activity reporting.