Version: 2008

February 23, 2006 9:26 AM PST

Microsoft readies Windows Live parental controls

  • 6 comments
Microsoft is inviting testers to try an early version of new parental control software for Windows XP called Windows Live Family Safety Settings.

The parental controls software lets people filter online content, Microsoft said in an e-mail invitation to testers sent Wednesday. It is designed to help keep Web content that parents deem inappropriate from reaching their children--such as items on alcohol, pornography, gambling and tobacco, the company said.

Windows Live Family Safety Settings lets customers create individual accounts for children and see activity reports on the Web sites they visited. The service can be disabled when the parents themselves go online, Microsoft said.

In addition to the Live family filter, which works with Windows XP, Microsoft is building parental controls into Windows Vista, the next version of the operating system due by year's end.

Announced last November, Microsoft is using "Windows Live" branding for a number of online services, including Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Messenger. The company also is working on Office Live, a collection of Web hosting and business applications for small companies.

A Microsoft representative on Thursday could not say when the Windows Live Family Filter will be available in the final version.

See more CNET content tagged:
Microsoft Windows Live, Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows XP

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Wonderful M$ spyware coming soon!
by heystoopid February 23, 2006 12:47 PM PST
wonderful M$ spyware coming soon, but alas sadly control, alt, delete exists still!
Reply to this comment
Wonderful M$ spyware coming soon!
by heystoopid February 23, 2006 12:47 PM PST
wonderful M$ spyware coming soon, but alas sadly control, alt, delete exists still!
Reply to this comment
Parents Ready Windows Live MSFT Controls
by i_made_this February 24, 2006 8:38 AM PST
Memo to Bill & Steve: Stop trying to protect our kids and start protecting us from your crappy software. We parents have our kids covered without your sticking your nose where it doesn't belong - we insist they use the Firefox browser. Thank you, Parents of American Kids.
Reply to this comment
Parents Ready Windows Live MSFT Controls
by i_made_this February 24, 2006 8:38 AM PST
Memo to Bill & Steve: Stop trying to protect our kids and start protecting us from your crappy software. We parents have our kids covered without your sticking your nose where it doesn't belong - we insist they use the Firefox browser. Thank you, Parents of American Kids.
Reply to this comment
who's smarter?
by 209979377489953107664053243186 February 24, 2006 11:34 AM PST
Too bad most of the kids these days are more computer savvy than their parents... all right, another thing to give budding young hackers to play with.
Reply to this comment
who's smarter?
by 209979377489953107664053243186 February 24, 2006 11:34 AM PST
Too bad most of the kids these days are more computer savvy than their parents... all right, another thing to give budding young hackers to play with.
Reply to this comment
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