Microsoft Blocks Chrome via Family Safety Feature
▼ Summary
– Microsoft’s Family Safety feature recently started blocking Google Chrome from opening on Windows, with reports emerging on June 3.
– The issue is caused by a bug in Family Safety that prevents Chrome from running when the feature is enabled, as confirmed by Chrome support.
– Other browsers like Firefox and Opera remain unaffected, and renaming Chrome’s executable file can bypass the issue.
– Disabling the “filter inappropriate websites” setting in Family Safety restores Chrome functionality but removes website restrictions for children.
– Microsoft has not provided a timeline for a fix, and as of June 10, no updates on a resolution had been shared.
Microsoft’s Family Safety feature has unexpectedly started blocking Google Chrome on Windows devices, creating frustration for users who rely on both platforms. Reports first emerged in early June, with affected individuals finding their browser either failing to launch or closing abruptly after opening.
The issue appears to stem from a bug in Microsoft’s parental control software, which selectively interferes with Chrome’s functionality. According to a Chrome support manager, investigations confirmed that the conflict occurs specifically when Family Safety is active. While alternative browsers like Firefox and Opera remain unaffected, some users discovered a temporary workaround by simply renaming Chrome’s executable file.
For those dependent on Family Safety’s web filtering, disabling the “filter inappropriate websites” option restores Chrome’s functionality, though this comes at the cost of unrestricted internet access for supervised accounts. Microsoft has yet to announce an official fix, leaving parents and schools in a difficult position. Despite user complaints, the company has remained silent on when a permanent solution might arrive.
Chromium engineers monitoring the situation noted that while Microsoft has offered troubleshooting steps to affected users, no widespread resolution has been deployed. With the problem persisting for weeks, many are questioning whether this is an unintended glitch or a deliberate move in the ongoing rivalry between the two tech giants. Until Microsoft addresses the issue, workarounds remain the only option for keeping Chrome operational under Family Safety restrictions.
(Source: The Verge)
