How to use Family Settings for Games for Windows — LIVE 

Summary:

Family settings can be set and adjusted on a child’s account for use with the Games for Windows — LIVE Client by linking a parent’s Windows Live ID to the child’s account upon creation. The Family Settings can be used to restrict options such as purchasing Downloadable Content and options that are related to the In-Game Client.

Note: By default, Family Settings are put in place when a child’s account is created to prevent purchasing Microsoft Points and Downloadable Content through the Client. These settings also restrict what content can be viewed in the Client including demos, videos, and Downloadable Content.

More Information:

When a LIVE account is created and the birth date entered shows that the owner of the account is less than 18 years of age, you will be prompted to enter a parent’s Windows Live ID and password as Parental Approval for the creation of the account. If the parent does not currently have a Windows Live ID, there is also an option to create one. The age of the parent will be verified as the parent is prompted to enter Credit Card information.

Important: The Credit Card information is only used to verify the age of the parent. No charges will be placed on the card.

Default Family Settings:

These are the Games for Windows — LIVE Family Settings and their default settings:

Online Gameplay

  • Xbox 360 Online Games (default: Allowed)
  • Original Xbox Online Games (default: Blocked)

Privacy and Friends

  • New Online Friends (default: Require Approval)
  • Video
  • Profile Sharing/Viewing
  • Voice and Text (default: Friends Only)
  • Games for Windows Multiplayer
  • Video (default: Friends Only)
  • Profile Sharing (default: Blocked)
  • Profile Viewing (default: Blocked)
  • Online Status (default: Friends Only)
  • Friends List (default: Blocked)

Content

  • Member Content (default: Blocked)
  • Downloadable Content (default: Blocked)

How to Change Family Settings for Games for Windows — LIVE

Method One:

  • 1. Go to www.xbox.com
  • 2. Click Sign In and sign in using the child’s Windows Live ID and password
  • 3. Select the “Gamer Card” for the child’s profile.
  • 4. Select “Family Settings”
  • 5. You will then be prompted to enter the Parent’s Windows Live ID and password

After the parent has successfully entered their Windows Live ID and password, they will be brought to a page where they can edit all of the LIVE Family Settings.

Method Two:

  • 1. Sign into the Games for Windows — LIVE Client using the Child’s information
  • 2. If the child attempts to make a purchase and that option is blocked by the Family Settings a web page will open informing them that the purchase is blocked
  • 3. You can select a link from that web page and you will then be prompted to enter the parents Windows Live ID and password

After the parent has successfully entered their Windows Live ID and password, they will be brought to a page where they can edit all of the LIVE Family Settings.

Note: Even if the Family Settings are set to allow purchases, when the child attempts to make a purchase, the parent’s Windows Live ID and password will still need to be entered in order to make the purchase.

Even if all the family settings are “Allowed”, the child will not be able to view any content rated M, AO, and sometimes T (if the child is under 13). For more information on game ratings, visit www.esrb.org.

Keywords: family settings parent child GFWL credit card purchase Microsoft points account creation download content downloadable add-ons



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