Chrome and Firefox won’t start with Microsoft Family Safety? Here’s the solution

I was setting up a new Windows laptop for my downtown kid and noticed that, once it was all set up and ready to go, the only web browser that would start up was Microsoft Edge. I had installed Firefox, which worked at first, but once I had finalized the Microsoft account for my child, both Firefox and Chrome would not start up.

It turns out that’s because I was actually truthful about the age of my child (i.e. quite young) when setting up the associated Microsoft account. By doing so, Windows then put that profile into some type of safety mode, with restrictions on what can be done on the computer. In terms of a web browser, that means they only allow Edge to work, as – supposedly – that’s the only way they can control browsing activity and such. I’m going to guess there’s a way to do that and allow you to choose whatever browser you want (i.e. this is an excuse for Microsoft to push Edge on kids), but that’s for another blog post.

Below is how I solved this issue. There may be an easier way, but this worked for me.

When you set up a Microsoft account for your child (required to log into the computer as far as I can tell), you’re also asked for the Microsoft account of the parent. This is where the some setting changes will solve your issue.

• Get yourself to Microsoft Family Safety and signed in under the adult login:
  • If you have another device available, go to account.microsoft.com/family or get there via Manage your account (search for it after clicking the Windows icon @ bottom left of the screen) followed by Family & other users and then Manage family settings online.
  • If you only have your child’s computer available, give your adult profile on the computer the ability to log in. Jump into Manage your account (search for it after clicking the Windows icon @ bottom left of the screen) and then Family & other users. From there select your adult profile and then Allow (i.e. allow to sign into the computer). Log out of your child’s profile and log in with your adult profile. Then follow the steps in the point above.
• Change the settings for your child’s Microsoft account (once logged into Microsoft Family Safety):
  • Select child’s profile and then Content filters
  • To provide full access as you would for an adult user, under the Web and search tab turn off Filter inappropriate websites and searches
  • To simply get other web browsers to be allowed (and have other restrictions remain in place), under the Apps and games tab remove the browser you want to use from the Blocked apps list.

Once that’s done, Chrome and Firefox will start up as normal when signed into the child’s account. Of course, that means you’re now losing any safety features that Microsoft has provided.

Looking back at it though, I’d likely just lie about my child’s age when creating the Microsoft account so that no restrictions are automatically imposed on the account.

If you found an easier solution, feel free to share below.