Learn about Parental Controls

Parents can specify and enforce which content is suitable for their families by configuring Parental Controls within Windows Media Center.

You can use Parental Controls to set limits on the hours that children can use the computer, the types of games that they can play, the websites that they can visit, and the programs that they can run. You can specify an access code to access restricted content or to change parental control settings. Reminder: don’t forget to write the code down for future reference.

And you can use activity reports to view your children's online activities.

This article covers the following topics:

• How to set Parental Controls

• How to reset Parental Controls

• How to change the access code

• How to set up Activity Reports

Note that Parental Controls are not available in all countries/regions. Windows Media Center uses the ratings from the TV broadcast signal to determine which shows to block. However, the rating information that you view in the Guide is downloaded from the Internet. In rare cases, the Guide rating might not match the rating information received from the TV broadcast signal.

To set Parental Controls:

1. On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, click settings, click General, and then click Parental Controls.

2. When prompted, enter a 4-digit number to set your code.

3. Next, choose one of the following. Then click Save to save your settings.

   • To block certain TV programs: click TV Ratings, and then click Turn on TV blocking. You can set maximum allowed TV ratings that include blocking all rated programs, programs for a general audience, programs requiring parental guidance, and programs intended for adults.

   • To block unrated shows: Not all TV and movie content is rated, so you can also configure Parental Controls to block unrated content. Click Block unrated TV programs to restrict content that is not rated. You can also click Advanced if you want to adjust the ratings settings for more control. In Advanced TV Ratings, there are five areas that you can set ratings for: fantasy violence, suggestive language, offensive language, sexual content, and violence.

   • To block certain DVDs and movies: click Movie/DVD Ratings, and then click Turn on movie blocking. You can also click Block unrated movies to restrict content that is not rated, as well as specify the Maximum allowed movie rating.

To reset Parental Controls:

1. On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, click settings, click General, and then click Parental Controls.

2. Enter your access code when prompted.

3. Click Reset Parental Controls.

4. Click Yes to remove the access code and reset all the ratings limits.

To change the access code:

1. On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, click settings, click General, and then click Parental Controls.

2. Click Change Access Code.

3. Enter and confirm a new access code.

4. On the Change Access Code dialog box, click OK.

To turn on activity reports:

1. Open Parental Controls by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, and then, under User Accounts, clicking Set up Parental Controls. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

2. Click the account that you want to turn on activity reporting for.

3. Under Parental Controls, click On.

4. Under Activity Reporting, click On, collect information about computer usage.

To view activity reports:

1. Open Parental Controls by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, and then, under User Accounts, clicking Set up Parental Controls. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

2. Click the account that you want to view activity reports for.

3. Click View activity reports.