How To Use Parental Controls In Windows Vista

Windows Vista is the latest release of Microsoft Windows, a line of graphical operating systems used on personal computers, including home and business desktops. On January 30, 2007, it was released worldwide to the general public, and is available for download from Microsoft's web site. According to Microsoft, Windows Vista contains hundreds of new features. One of these is the possibility to have parental control on user accounts. Here is how to set up a user with parental controls enabled.

Note: If you have User Account Control turned on, every time the UAC box pops up, click Continue.

1. Log onto the computer with administrator privileges.
2. Click the Start Button.
3. Click the picture associated with your account at the top of the menu.
4. In the new window click Manage another account.
5. Click Create a new account.
6. Type a name for the account in the New account name textbox. Select Standard user. After that click the Create Account button.
Now you will have to set up the parental controls for the account you have just created.

7. Click on Set up Parental Controls.
8. From the accounts listed in the window select the one you have just created in order to apply the parental controls.
9. Under Parental Controls, click the radio button next to On, enforce current settings. For the Activity Reporting option, click the radio button next to On, collect information about computer usage.
10. Under the Windows Settings section you have 4 different options to make your parental control even more accurate.

Windows Vista Web Filter

This option allows you to block the websites or content you do not want this account to have access to. By checking the Block file downloads checkbox, the user won't be able to get any file from the Internet. When you are done click OK.
Time Limits

On this page you can set the time when the user can use the computer. This is done only by clicking the hours you want to block or allow the use of the computer. Click OK when finished.
Games

This option gives you the opportunity to control which type of games you approve for this account. The games can be filtered by rating, content type or by name.
Allow and block specific programs

Under this page you can select from a list of programs the ones you want the user to have access to. If the program isn't in the list you have the possibility to add it. After all the necessary settings click OK.
11. After you have adjusted the individual settings that you wish to limit for the account, click OK.
From now on if the user tries to access a webpage or game that you have blocked, they will receive a message notifying them of that.