Microsoft confirms Google Chrome blockade

In the past few days, displeasure has already spread in some internet forums, and now Microsoft has confirmed the problem: on some Windows computers, the operating system blocks the launch of the Google Chrome web browser, for example, without displaying another error message. The trigger is the activated parental control “Microsoft Family Safety”. The developers are working on a solution.

Microsoft discusses the issue in detail in the Windows Release Health Message Center. The Redmond company continues: “Certain laws require Microsoft to protect children from harmful and illegal content on the Internet. That's why Microsoft is creating tools for parents and guardians to help them guide children's digital experience and protect them from harmful and illegal content online.”

Chrome blocking through web filtering

One of these tools is “filtering websites and searches using Microsoft Family Safety”. Microsoft's Edge browser, for example, provides this function, which means that Edge can be used as the default browser on devices used by children if web filtering is activated in Windows. If web filtering is enabled, parents or guardians must first approve other web browsers before they can be used. “This is to help parents understand that different settings apply to other browsers in terms of blocking inappropriate websites and filtering search results,” Microsoft explains further.

Blocking will continue to work – if a browser is updated to a new version, Windows will not be able to block anything unless Microsoft adds the browser to the block list. In the course of updates, it can happen temporarily that a browser is not blocked. “We are actively working to ensure that the latest versions of browsers are blocked and reaffirm our efforts to support parents and guardians,” the Redmond company wrote.

“While Microsoft was updating the block list, we received reports of a new issue affecting Google Chrome and a few other browsers. When children try to open them, they close unexpectedly,” the developers explain. By default, however, a request should appear to obtain parental consent for use: “You must ask to use this app”. If consent is granted, the browser will run as expected. If activity reports are disabled, this behavior may occur.

As a temporary countermeasure, Microsoft suggests activating the activity reports in the Family Safety settings. Parents will then receive corresponding requests to allow use. The developers are also working on a solution for both problems – firstly the display of the missing dialogs for parental consent and then the unintentional temporary unlocking of the latest version of Google Chrome and other browsers after an update. All supported Windows desktop versions are affected: Windows 11 24H2, 23H2 and 22H2 as well as Windows 10 22H2.

Recently, a new issue was reported to have been caused by Windows security updates – while the update resolved two older ones. Older Surface Hub v1 may refuse to start and display an error message. However, the updates have resolved issues with Windows Server 2025 DCs regarding used firewall profiles as well as authentication issues in “Windows Hello for Business” for various Windows Server versions.

(dmk)