There is a new feature in Windows 7 that allows parents manage how their children use the computer. The new feature is Parental Controls and it can be used to limit time on the computer along with the programs and games that the child can use.

The controls are applied per user account so you can have different controls for different family members. When a family member accesses a program or game that has been block a notification is displayed stating that the program has been blocked and the user can request permission to access the game or program.

In order to use Parental Controls you need an administrator account and a standard user account for each person for which the controls will be applied. The steps for adding a standard user account are outlined below.

Add a Standard Account:

1. Click Start | Control Panel
2. Click on User Accounts
3. Click on Mange Accounts
4. Click on Create a new account
5. Type a name for the new account, make sure Standard user is selected and then click Create Account

Once the account is created then the Parental Controls can applied to that account. To setup Parental Controls for an account follow the steps below.

Setup Parental Controls:

1. Click Start | Control Panel
2. Click on Parental Controls (if prompted for administrator password type you administrator password to continue)
3. Click on the account that the Parental Controls will be setup for
4. Select, On, enforce current settings to enable Parental Controls

After turning on the control you can customize the individual settings for that user. Descriptions of the settings are listed below.

Time Limits:

Specifying time limits will restrict when a child can login into the computer. Different time limits can be set for each day of the week so you can be stricter during school days and allow more time on weekends. If the user is logged in when their time limit is up they are automatically logged off of the computer.

Games:

The game setting allows you to control access to games by either allowing the child to play at all, block a game by rating and content type or specifying a specific game on the computer by name.

Allow or Block Specific Program:

This setting allows you to control which programs the child can use on the computer. You can allow all programs or only programs that you allow.

In addition to built-in controls in Windows 7 additional controls are available that can be added to the Parental Controls allowing you even more control. The next article will provide information about some of these controls and steps needed to download and install.