Windows 10: Family Settings - Start Menu Bypasses

Hi All,

I have an issue where I have blocked an app on my kids laptops and it works properly when they try to access it from the pinned app on the taskbar - it brings up a blocked message. However, when they access the app from the Windows Menu, it opens as usual - bypassing the family controls. Both laptops are completely up to date with updates.

:)

 

Bypass Family Settings by conversion to Local Account


It was faster as I expected, the test confirmed my theory was right. Doing this your kid has absolutely no way to switch to a local account and leave the MS Family:

1.) Start as told earlier, creating the Child account as a Family account
2.) Sign the Child once in to Windows, sign out and back in to your admin account
3.) Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type netplwiz and hit Enter to launch the advanced user control panel
4.) Select the Child account, click Properties:




5.) Change the Child account's user group from Users to Guests:




6.) Close the Properties, close advanced user control panel

That's it. Users in Guest group cannot open and use the Settings app, therefore they cannot change the account type (switch to a local account).

Pros:

• User cannot change any settings, not even open the Settings app
• User can still download and install desktop software but when doing so, the PC admin credentials will be asked

Cons:

• To change any settings, an admin user must first change the Child's usergroup back to Users, sign in to Child account, change the required setting, sign out from the Child account, and finally set the user back to Guests group
• To download and install anything from the Windows Store, an admin user must first change the Child's usergroup back to Users, sign in to Child account, download and install software from the Windows Store, sign out from the Child account, and finally set the user back to Guests group
• OneDrive Desktop sync does not work on Guest accounts. To download, open or upload files in Onedrive the user must use a browser

 

Bypass Family Settings by conversion to Local Account


Thanks Kari.

I copied their User folders so I could restore them later.
I deleted their accounts on the computer.
I removed them from my Microsoft Account "Family" online, to "start from scratch".
I went to "Settings" on my PC and added them as a child account.
I logged into their email and accepted the Family request.
I then logged into their new child account. Before restoring their User folders.

Guess what? They can still log in with a local account.

This "local account" option that lets them bypass child controls so easily seems to be sticky. As if it is stored with the Microsoft Account. That I needed to create in Windows10. To enable child settings control.

I guess nobody at Microsoft thought of the use-case of somebody upgrading from Windows7 to Windows10 with EXISTING child accounts.

What would you suggest now? Create NEW, DIFFERENT Microsoft accounts using other garbage emails?

 

Bypass Family Settings by conversion to Local Account


I just upgraded all my computers to Windows 10.

My 15 year old is clever enough to bypass the (new) Family settings controlled Microsoft Account I just set up for him by converting the account to a local account. This seems to let him play as long as he wants, without time restrictions. I didn't get an email about this, or any other notification. This is the second time he has done it.

Why is it so easy to completely bypass all the family safety settings it took me hours(!) to finally get set up?

Also the Family Recent Activity shown on my Microsoft Account web site doesn't seem to update itself. It is at least two or three days behind, perhaps more. How often does Recent Activity update? Is it supposed to be near instantaneous?