Question Set up windows for a small child. help me out.

[scypheroth]

Hey guys i built my lil nugget a pc! Now i let him have free range of it and found that within a week it was filled with malware and garbage to the point it was running like crap. i formatted it and reinstalled everything. How can i set windows up so he cannot install anything or even download anything without a password or something?

 

[VirtualLarry]

A basic first step would be to set them up with a non-Admin account, and then password-protect the Admin account. That would stop them from installing programs (into the program files sub-dir), but they could still install portable apps into their user folder and run them, and install script-like programs, such as browser toolbars.

Another step to take, would be to essentially set the PC up as like a kiosk, and get a program like DeepFreeze, that can restore the state of the PC from an image file. You can do similar things with VM images, too.

Also, look into Windows Parental Controls, as well as consider installing Linux.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Great advice by @VirtualLarry !

I've had pretty good experience with Windows Parental controls on Win10. As long as you use an MS account to log in for the user, it lets you block a lot of stuff and you can manage all of that from a web browser on your own PC.

I would also recommend changing the DNS settings for his computer to ones that block malware and adult content. You can also use the content filtering of your wireless router if that supports those options - which are also very handy!

 

[quikah]

I have used Windows parental control successfully on my kids computers, have been running fine for the past year. You are limited to only using Edge though if you want to control web use.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

Good point, you are limited to using Edge. But luckily the new Chrome based Edge works great and is basically just Chrome on the backend so it should be compatible with all your sites. (You may have to manually install it)