Latest news with #MicrosoftFamilySafety
Forbes
27-06-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft Confirms Google Chrome Block After Windows 11 Users Complain
Microsoft has now confirmed Google Chrome blocking issue. On June 23, I reported that Windows 11 users were turning to online support forums to complain that the latest versions of Google's Chrome browser, used by billions of people, were crashing upon startup or when opening any site. The common denominator is that all these users had the Microsoft Family Safety parental control feature enabled. Despite reaching out to Microsoft for a statement, the Redmond tech giant stayed quiet, leaving myself and others to speculate as to what was happening. I found what appeared to be the answer in a parental control FAQ from Microsoft, where it stated that web and search filters employed by the Edge browser are used and 'other commonly used browsers will be blocked for this to work.' Now, at last, Microsoft has confirmed that this is, indeed the case, and has explained why some versions of Chrome are working are others not. Here's what you need to know. A Microsoft Windows 11 Google Chrome Blocking Recap As far as I can ascertain, the furore surrounding Google Chrome browser crashes for users of the Microsoft Family Safety feature in Windows 11 began in earnest on June 3, when complaints started flowing into online support forums, such as those on Reddit. From the time Google updated Chrome to version 137.0.7151.68/69, as best as I can tell, users began complaining that the browser would close and then not reopen when children under parental control rules tried to visit any site. Google acknowledged the problem quickly, stating that it had 'investigated these reports and determined the cause of this behavior,' as being 'when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled.' Microsoft, on the other hand, remained silent as far as any public announcement was concerned. Although I understand that individual users seeking support were given the same workaround that Google had suggested: disable the filter inappropriate websites setting, which is, frankly, hardly ideal given the purpose of the feature concerned, or unblock Chrome from the Windows tab → Apps & Games tab. Now, Microsoft has finally confirmed that I was right all along, and explained why the issue impacts users of different versions of the Chrome browser, well, differently. The Microsoft Confirmation In Full Microsoft has made a couple of confirmations this week concerning Windows 11 being broken, and both involve updates. The first, as reported June 25, involved some Windows 11 users not being informed of system update availability as the scan for updates controls had broken. That, I would argue, is of more concern than the Family Safety Chrome block problem. Talking of which, here's what Microsoft has finally said about the Chrome crashes. Confirming that, as I surmised, 'Microsoft is currently adding the latest versions of Chrome and other browsers to the block list,' the statement continues to describe another issue that is now happening. When web filtering is enabled, a parent has to approve other browsers before they can be used. That's OK, as expected, in fact. But the latest versions of a browser can't be blocked until they are added to the list. 'As a result,' Microsoft said, 'some browsers may temporarily appear unblocked during this update process.' The Microsoft spokesperson said that it is 'actively working to ensure all latest versions of browsers are blocked, reinforcing our commitment to parents and guardians,' but as the block list is updated, some users may experience shutdowns when trying to open Google Chrome and some other browsers.
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Forbes
Microsoft Is Blocking Google Chrome, Windows 11 Users Complain
Microsoft Family Safety on Windows 11 is blocking Google Chrome Update, June 25, 2025: This story, originally published on June 23, has been updated with further insight regarding the blocking of the Google Chrome web browser via the Microsoft Family Safety feature, as well as news of a Chrome security update that all Windows 11 users should ensure is installed and, importantly, activated. 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 understandably becomes a cause for concern to some Windows 11 users. So, what is happening, and how can you address the issue if you are affected by it? I've been taking a detailed look to discover the truth behind the forum furore. 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 seemingly goes rogue? Scroll down for the reason why I don't think that has happened in this case. 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. Google Issues Workaround For Microsoft Family Safety Blocking Of Chrome Meanwhile, Google has suggested the following workaround, which some reports suggest is the same advice being given by Microsoft to users who sought support: Delving Deeper Into The Microsoft Blocking Of Google Chrome For Windows 11 Family Safety Users I am still waiting to hear from Microsoft, despite requesting a statement before this article was published. I do, however, think that there are plenty of clues as to what is going on behind this latest round of complaints from Windows 11 users regarding the blocking of Google Chrome. I previously mentioned that similar issues with the Edge browser have not been reported by users of the Microsoft Family Safety feature for Windows 11. I suspect this is key to understanding what is going on here. If you head, as I did, to Microsoft's dedicated Family Safety page, you will find a very brief, as in just two items, Frequently Asked Questions section at the very bottom. This FAQ actually states that the feature works by enabling web and search filters to filter out sites and search results that might be considered too mature when using the Microsoft Edge browser. And here comes the important bit: 'Other commonly used browsers will be blocked for this to work,' the FAQ confirms. If you are using Windows 11 and employing the default Microsoft Family Safety parental controls app, then I would suggest it's not that controversial that this would work with Microsoft's default browser, Edge. If other browsers can effectively allow users to bypass the parental control filtering, then it would be more controversial if Microsoft enabled that to happen, surely? All Microsoft Windows Users Should Update Google Chrome Now If you have been having problems with your Chrome web browser crashing and have opted to use the workaround as detailed earlier in this article instead of switching to Edge or another application, I'm afraid your work isn't finished yet. Although the initial issue with Microsoft Family Safety on Windows 11 appeared to occur after a Google Chrome security update, I recommend updating again. As soon as possible, in fact. Google has confirmed a total of 11 new security issues impacting users of the popular web browser client, including three that have been given Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database entries and associated severity ratings. Although none of these are categorized as critical or high-rated, if successfully exploited they could enable an attacker to bypass content security policy and execute arbitrary code. Needless to say, you should update to the latest copy of Chrome for Windows, version 138.0.7204.49/50, as soon as possible. The Google Chrome update process actually happens automatically, but as Google has stated, the update itself will 'roll out over the coming days/weeks.' Personally, I would rather not wait days, let alone weeks, to fix multiple security vulnerabilities that could leave my Windows system open to attack. Fortunately, there's a workaround for this as well: kickstart the update into life manually. Head to the Help menu and select 'About Google Chrome.' This will check for and both download and install the update. You are not finished yet though, at least not if you want to be protected by the security patches that you have just installed. For this to happen, you must activate the update by restarting Chrome. Although there are those who might be worried that they will lose all the gazillion tabs that they have open in their browser, this isn't the case. Google makes it quite clear that, in ordinary circumstances, your tabs will simply reopen when the browser restarts, allowing you to continue where you left off. The important thing is that you keep your copy of Google Chrome updated, and by so doing, you will also be protecting your Microsoft Windows machine.
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Forbes
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:
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Business Standard
Facing troubles with Google Chrome on Windows? Check reason and workaround
A newly introduced Microsoft's Family Safety tool is causing Google Chrome to crash on Windows, leaving users frustrated for more than two weeks. As reported by The Verge, the issue began in early June and either prevents Chrome from opening or causes it to crash immediately after launching. Cause of the issue According to a statement by Ellen T, Chrome support manager, the team has confirmed that Chrome is unable to run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled. Other browsers, such as Firefox and Opera, remain unaffected. What is Microsoft Family Safety Microsoft Family Safety is a built-in Windows feature that enables parents to monitor and restrict device usage. It supports: Content filtering Screen time limits Cross-device syncing across Windows, Android and Xbox For example, time limits set for games like Fortnite on a PC also apply to other devices, preventing children from bypassing restrictions by switching platforms. Workarounds to fix Chrome Until Microsoft rolls out an official fix, users have discovered a few temporary solutions: Rename to Disable the 'filter inappropriate websites' setting in Family Safety No official fix yet Microsoft has not officially acknowledged the bug nor shared a timeline for resolution. A Chromium engineer noted that Microsoft has privately provided guidance to affected users, but this has not significantly alleviated the issue at scale. The situation has renewed concerns about Microsoft's past tactics to promote its Edge browser over Chrome. The company has previously used pop-ups, AI-driven search manipulation, and warning messages to deter users from switching browsers.
Ammon
21-06-2025
- Ammon
Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome through its family safety feature
Ammon News - Earlier this month, Microsoft's Family Safety feature, primarily used by parents and schools as a set of parental controls and filters, started randomly blocking Google's Chrome browser from opening on Windows. The first reports surfaced on June 3rd, with some Chrome users noticing the browser kept closing or wouldn't open. Microsoft has introduced a bug into Family Safety that specifically targets the Chrome browser and prevents it from functioning on Windows. 'Our team has investigated these reports and determined the cause of this behavior,' says Chrome support manager Ellen T. 'For some users, Chrome is unable to run when Microsoft Family Safety is enabled.' Other browsers like Firefox or Opera appear to be unaffected, and some users have even found that renaming to works around this issue. Schools or parents who have enabled Family Safety as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription can also disable the 'filter inappropriate websites' setting in Family Safety to get Chrome up and running again, but this does leave children able to access any website. It's unclear when Microsoft will fix the issue, which has been ongoing for more than two weeks. We reached out to Microsoft to comment on this problem earlier this week, but at the time of publication, the company hasn't responded. 'We've not heard anything from Microsoft about a fix being rolled out,' wrote a Chromium engineer in a bug tracking thread on June 10th. 'They have provided guidance to users who contact them about how to get Chrome working again, but I wouldn't think that would have a large effect.' Microsoft has a habit of doing weird things on Windows to steer people away from using Chrome. While this Family Safety issue is likely an innocent bug, Microsoft has used prompts, fake AI answers, malware-like popups, and even a poll injected on Google's Chrome download page to try and sway people to switch to its Edge browser. Earlier this year, Microsoft even used Bing to trick people into thinking they were on Google. The Verge
