FamilyTimeGuard enforces time limits for selected Windows accounts. For those limits to mean anything, the child must not have access to an administrator account, the program’s settings or another operating system started on this computer.
Run the checks below after First setup and repeat them after changing accounts or how the computer is used.
Check which accounts the child can sign in to
The simplest way around a limit needs no changes to the program: another account is enough.
| What to check | Expected state | What to fix |
|---|---|---|
| The child’s account type | Standard user | Remove administrator rights as described in Prepare the computer. |
| Administrator accounts | Every enabled account has a password the child does not know | Set any missing passwords and change those the child has learnt. This includes other adults’ accounts. |
| Siblings’ and other users’ accounts | The child does not know anyone else’s password or PIN | Protect those accounts separately. Another supervised account has its own limit; an unsupervised account has no FamilyTimeGuard limit. |
| Starting the computer | It does not automatically open the parent’s account | Turn off automatic sign-in to that account. |
| The parent finishes using the computer | The parent signs out of the shared computer | Do not leave an open session where the child can access the panel and other settings. |
Check the result at the sign-in screen. The child should only be able to enter their own account. If they need to install a game or program, approve that action yourself; do not give them the administrator password.
Check who can change limits
The local panel requires administrator permissions. A parent’s account allowed to manage over the network has access to every child’s settings on that computer, including the ability to stop supervision. Give this permission only to trusted adults.
To change this access, run the installer on the child’s computer. Check the selected accounts on Managing this computer from elsewhere. Keep the children supervised and retain the way you need to open the panel. Installation explains the choices.
Do not share the settings folder with children or change its permissions to make access easier. If the panel reports an access problem, resolve the message instead of giving all users full rights to the folder.
Protect against starting the computer from a USB drive
FamilyTimeGuard runs in the installed copy of Windows. If the child starts another operating system from a USB drive on the same computer, the program will not enforce time limits there. If the Windows drive is not encrypted, that system may also give access to the program’s files and settings.
There are two separate tasks:
- Restrict starting another system: use UEFI/BIOS settings, which control the computer before Windows starts. This means protecting those settings with a password and restricting startup from USB and the network, including choosing another device in the boot menu.
- Protect data on the drive outside Windows: encrypt the system drive. Encryption alone does not impose a time limit on a system started from a USB drive.
Where to find instructions
FamilyTimeGuard does not configure encryption or UEFI/BIOS. Setting up those protections and resolving problems with them are outside the scope of the program and this guide.
Check the computer manufacturer’s documentation for your exact model, or the motherboard manufacturer’s documentation for a custom-built computer. Password names and available restrictions differ between devices. Do not choose settings based on a similar-looking screen from another model.
Check encryption using Microsoft’s device encryption instructions. Availability depends on the device and Windows configuration; a missing switch is not a FamilyTimeGuard error.
Before making changes, back up important data and keep the encrypted drive’s recovery key outside this computer. Make sure you can find it — Microsoft explains where to look for a BitLocker recovery key. Keep the UEFI/BIOS password out of the children’s reach too.
If you do not know which setting to choose or how to keep the key safe, ask a specialist to do this. Have them check drive encryption and whether other systems can be started. Without these protections, assume that physical access to the computer leaves a route around the limits.
Choose an action that ends the intended use
End the programs closes only the programs on the list. Others keep running. Programs are identified by filename, so a copy under another name may stay open.
To end use of the whole account, choose Sign the child out. Turn the computer off also ends other signed-in users’ sessions. First setup describes all three options.
If the child closes the FamilyTimeGuard icon, they may lose warnings, but the limit itself stays active. Do not judge supervision only by the icon or sound; run the test in First setup.
Respond to panel messages
| What you see | What it means for the parent | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Not supervised | Settings exist, but this account’s limit is not being enforced. | Start supervision for the correct child and test it. |
| Supervision unknown or a read error | The panel cannot confirm the account’s state. | Check the selected computer, connection and full message. Do not assume that a missing reading means nothing is wrong. |
| A warning about permissions on the child’s data | The child may have access that lets them change the program’s data. | Follow the message and repair the installation. If the message identifies an account allowed to manage over the network, clear that account on the relevant installer page. |
| A warning about saving time used | The program cannot save current usage; a power loss may lose some of the time already counted. | Check free disk space and the error text. Restarting alone does not fix the cause. |
| A missing time zone | The day and schedule depend on the zone reported by Windows. | Follow the time-zone check in First setup. |
Do not experiment by changing permissions or deleting usage files. If the message remains, keep its full text and continue to Troubleshooting.
Limits of protection
FamilyTimeGuard does not limit a phone, another computer or Windows accounts that are not supervised. It also cannot protect its settings from someone with administrator permissions.