How to Set App and Game Limits on Windows 11 using Microsoft Family Safety
Setting app and game time limits on Windows 11 helps you manage screen time for your family.
Microsoft Family Safety is a tool that lets parents control how long children can use specific apps or play games on their Windows 11 computers each day. For example, you can set a specific game to be limited to a maximum of 2 hours per day.
This helps create a healthy balance between playtime and other activities. You can set these limits using the Microsoft Family Safety app on your phone or through a web browser.
The family dashboard shows your children’s online activity, making it easy to set these app and game time limits on Windows 11.
Go to family.microsoft.com and sign in with your organizer account. Select the family member, then navigate to the “Apps and games” tab. Toggle “App and game limits” on, then choose a specific app or game to set daily time restrictions.
Option A: Use the Family Safety App
You can set Windows 11 app limits using the Microsoft Family Safety app on your phone. This method is excellent for managing screen time for family members already part of your Microsoft group. Open the app, select the person, and then you can begin setting limits for their Windows 11 device.
- Open the Microsoft Family Safety app on your phone.
- You will see a list of your family members. Tap the name of the person you want to set limits for.
- On their profile page, you will see options for different devices. Choose the one for the device you want to manage, usually “Windows/Xbox” or “Mobile.”
Option B: Use a Web Browser
Managing Windows 11 app limits using a web browser is straightforward. Go to the Microsoft Family Safety website, family.microsoft.com, and sign in with your organizer account. From there, you can set time limits and manage app usage for your family members’ Windows 11 devices.
- Open your favorite web browser (like Edge, Chrome, or Firefox).
- Go to the Microsoft Family Safety website: family.microsoft.com
- Sign in using the adult organizer’s Microsoft account details for your family group.
- On your family dashboard, you will see a list of everyone in your family group. Click on the name of the family member you want to set app and game limits for.
- Just like with the app, select the device type you want to manage. Look for “Windows/Xbox” or “Mobile.”
Step 2Find the Apps and Games Settings
The ‘Apps and games’ section within Microsoft Family Safety shows all the apps and games a selected family member uses on their Windows device. Clicking the ‘Apps and games’ section lets you manage that family member’s app usage and set specific time limits for them.
- On the family member’s profile page for the chosen device, find and click on the “Apps and games” tab or section.
- This is where you will see a list of apps and games the family member has used or installed on their devices. You will also see how much time they have spent on them.
Step 3Turn On App and Game Limits
To set time limits for apps and games on Windows 11, you need to turn on the ‘App and game limits’ switch in Family Safety. Once you flip this switch on , Windows will start tracking how the user spends time on apps and games for that device type.
- Look for a switch that says “App and game limits” or “Set limits.”
- Click or tap this switch to turn it On.
The first time you turn this on, Windows will begin tracking how the user spends time on apps and games for that device type. You might see a message saying it’s collecting data, which is normal.
Step 4Choose an App or Game to Limit
Once limits are on, you can pick a specific app or game to restrict. In the ‘App and game limits’ section, you’ll see a list of everything used. Click on the one you want to set a time limit for. Keep in mind that apps might appear more than once if they are installed on different devices.
- In the “App and game limits” section, you should see a list of apps and games.
- Click or tap on the specific app or game you want to set a time limit for.
Duplicate app listings can appear when the same app is installed on multiple devices linked to a family’s Microsoft account. Currently, users must set limits for each separate listing. Microsoft plans to make this process easier in a future update.
Step 5Set the Time Limits
You can set daily time limits for specific apps and games on Windows 11. After picking an app or game, you can choose how much time is allowed each day. You can also set a schedule for when that time can be used, giving you control over usage.
- After selecting an app or game, you will see options to set the time limits.
- You can choose a specific amount of time (like 1 hour or 2 hours) that the family member can use that app or game each day.
- You can also set a schedule for when that time can be used. This is very useful. You can set the same limits for every day of the week, or you can create a different schedule for each day. For example, you might allow more game time on weekends than on weekdays.
Reference:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/family-safety/set-app-and-game-limits
Summary
Windows 11 lets you set daily time limits for apps and games using Microsoft Family Safety, accessible via its app or a web browser, to control usage on Windows devices.
Is there a parental control app for 🪟 Windows 11 that allows to limit time?
The Microsoft Family Safety app allows parents to set screen time limits on all Microsoft-affiliated devices, including Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Microsoft Surface, Windows 11 devices, Windows 7 devices, and Windows Vista devices.
Does 🪟 Windows 11 work with Family Safety?
Screen time limits work on Windows (Windows 10 and Windows 11), Xbox (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S), and Android apps and games. They can be managed using the Microsoft Family Safety app on Android and iOS.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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