Microsoft Has Blocked Google Chrome, Windows 11 Users Complain
Microsoft Family Safety on Windows 11 is blocking Google Chrome
More often than not, if you see Windows and Google Chrome in the same headline, it's because a browser update to patch a security issue has been released. Thankfully, that's not the case here. However, when Microsoft, the world's most popular operating system vendor, appears to have blocked the world's most popular web browser, Chrome, that's surely cause for concern. So, what is happening, and how can you address the issue if you are affected by it? I've been trying to find out.
Microsoft Family Safety Blocks Google Chrome On Windows 11, Users Complain
Parental control software is designed to enable parents to protect their children from dangers, both perceived and very real, on the internet. Windows 11 has this functionality built into the operating system, through a feature called Microsoft Family Safety. This gives parent the ability to create what can be considered a safe environment for their children to browse the web, and this is accomplished by the use of content filtering. But what if that content filtering goes rogue?
The issue was first reported June 3 by Windows 11 users on Reddit, and the complaints have continued to come in across various forums ever since. The problem appears to have started following the Google Chrome update to version 137.0.7151.68/69, since when users have reported that the browser will close down and then not reopen again when the Microsoft Family Safety feature is used. There do not appear to be any similar issues being reported from those using Microsoft Edge and parental controls.
While Google has published a support posting that acknowledges the problem, stating that it has 'investigated these reports and determined the cause of this behavior,' as being 'when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled,' Microsoft itself has made no public announcements.
I have approached both Microsoft and Google for an official statement, and will update this article if any is forthcoming.
Meanwhile, Google has suggested the following workaround, which some reports suggest is the same advice being given by Microsoft to users who sought support:
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