Why Is Microsoft Family Safety Suddenly Blocking Chrome and How Can You Fix This Annoying Issue?

Is Your Chrome Browser Crashing on Windows? Here's the Shocking Microsoft Family Safety Bug Solution

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has been blocking Google Chrome on Windows devices since early June 2025, causing widespread frustration among parents, students, and IT administrators. This issue affects thousands of users across educational institutions and home environments, with Chrome either crashing immediately upon launch or failing to open entirely.

Understanding the Problem

The blocking began on June 3, 2025, when users first reported that Chrome would flash briefly on screen before closing without any error messages. This problem specifically targets Google Chrome versions 137.0.7151.68 and 137.0.7151.69, while other browsers like Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge remain completely unaffected.

What makes this situation particularly concerning is that the blocking occurs even for users who never actively configured Family Safety controls, suggesting an automatic activation of restrictions. Educational institutions have been severely impacted, with IT staff reporting multiple students per hour seeking assistance for identical Chrome access problems.

The root cause lies in Microsoft Family Safety's web filtering system, which is primarily designed for Microsoft Edge. When filtering is enabled, the system automatically triggers blocking mechanisms for non-Microsoft browsers like Chrome, creating what appears to be a design flaw rather than intentional blocking.

Immediate Solutions That Work

Method 1: Adjust Family Safety Settings

I recommend starting with this approach since it's the most straightforward:

1. Visit familysafety.microsoft.com or open the Family Safety mobile app
2. Select your child's profile from the dashboard
3. Navigate to the Windows tab, then click on Apps & Games
4. Find Google Chrome in the blocked applications list and click "Remove" to unblock it

Alternatively, you can disable the "filter inappropriate websites" setting under the Edge tab, though this removes all content restrictions and may expose children to inappropriate content.

Method 2: Rename the Chrome Executable

This clever workaround has proven effective for many users:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application"
2. Right-click on Chrome.exe and select "Rename"
3. Change the filename to "Chrome1.exe" or any other name
4. Double-click the renamed file to launch Chrome

This method works because Family Safety's blocking mechanism specifically targets the "chrome.exe" filename, so renaming it bypasses the restriction entirely.

Method 3: Account Management Changes

For more persistent cases, consider these options:

• Switch from Microsoft accounts to local accounts to bypass Family Safety restrictions entirely
• Remove family members from Microsoft Family groups through family.microsoft.com
• Delete the settings.bin file from %programdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Parental Controls\settings (requires administrator access)

Enterprise and Educational Solutions

IT administrators in schools and organizations can implement these fixes:

• Adjust web filtering settings through Microsoft Entra ID or Endpoint Manager
• Modify Family Safety content filtering policies to specifically allow Chrome usage
• Enforce Chrome as an allowed application through Group Policy or Microsoft Intune

Current Status and Microsoft's Response

As of June 25, 2025, Microsoft has not released an official fix for this issue, which has persisted for over three weeks. The company has not publicly acknowledged the bug or provided a timeline for resolution. A Chromium engineer noted that while Microsoft has privately provided guidance to affected users who contact support, this has not significantly alleviated the problem at scale.

This incident has reignited concerns about Microsoft's competitive practices, as the company has previously used various tactics to promote Edge over Chrome, including pop-ups, AI-driven search manipulation, and warning messages. The fact that only Chrome is affected while other non-Microsoft browsers continue to work normally has led to accusations of anti-competitive behavior.

Prevention and Monitoring

To avoid future issues, I suggest:

• Regularly checking Family Safety settings for unexpected changes
• Keeping Chrome updated while monitoring for similar blocking issues
• Having alternative browsers ready as backup options
• Following Microsoft and Google support channels for official updates

The situation highlights the complex relationship between platform control and user choice in modern computing environments. While Family Safety serves an important purpose in protecting children online, this bug demonstrates how technical issues can significantly impact user experience and raise questions about fair competition in the browser market.