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

Is Your Chrome Browser Crashing Due to Microsoft Family Safety? Here's the Shocking Solution That Actually Works!

Microsoft's Family Safety feature has been causing significant problems for Windows users since early June 2025, preventing Google Chrome from launching or causing it to crash unexpectedly. This issue affects devices running Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 22H2 or later, and Microsoft has officially confirmed the problem while working on a permanent solution.

Understanding the Root Cause

The blocking occurs because Microsoft Family Safety's web filtering tool is designed to prompt children to ask for parental approval when using browsers other than Microsoft Edge. However, a bug in the system causes Family Safety to block new versions of previously approved web browsers, preventing them from launching or causing unexpected shutdowns.

The problem specifically emerged after Google Chrome updated to version 137.0.751.68/69, with initial reports surfacing on June 3rd from Windows 11 users on Reddit. Microsoft's Family Safety feature primarily functions with Edge browser, and when other browsers attempt to circumvent the parental control filters, the system blocks them as a protective measure.

Immediate Solutions That Work

Solution 1: Turn On Activity Reporting

Microsoft recommends enabling the 'Activity reporting' feature under Windows settings in Microsoft Family Safety as the primary workaround. This allows parents to receive approval requests as expected and prevents the unexpected browser shutdowns.

Solution 2: Disable Web Content Filtering

Parents can temporarily disable the "filter inappropriate websites" option within Family Safety settings to restore Chrome functionality. However, this removes all web filtering protections, allowing unrestricted internet access.

Solution 3: Simple File Rename Workaround

Some users have discovered that renaming the Chrome.exe file to Chrome1.exe serves as an effective temporary solution. This simple change allows the browser to bypass the Family Safety detection system.

Step-by-Step Fixes

Method 1: Adjust Family Safety Settings Online

1. Sign in to family.microsoft.com using your Microsoft account
2. Select your child's profile
3. Navigate to the Edge tab and disable "Filter inappropriate websites and searches"
4. Alternatively, go to Windows tab > Apps and games > Unblock Chrome

Method 2: Reset Browser Permissions

1. Access your Microsoft Family Safety account through a web browser
2. Click "View site information" in the top left corner
3. Select "Site settings" and click "Reset permissions"

This clears all site-specific restrictions that may be blocking Chrome

Method 3: Create New User Account

1. Press Win + I to open Settings
2. Navigate to Accounts > Family and other users
3. Click "Add someone else to this PC"
4. Select "Sign in without a Microsoft account"
5. Follow prompts to create a new local account without Family Safety restrictions

Microsoft's Official Response

Microsoft acknowledged the bug after widespread user complaints and confirmed they are actively working on a resolution for two key issues: missing parental consent prompts and unintended temporary unblocking of browser updates. The company explained that their web filtering tool is designed to work primarily with Edge browser, and the current problem stems from the system's inability to properly handle updated versions of third-party browsers.

Alternative Browser Options

While waiting for Microsoft's permanent fix, users can switch to other browsers that remain unaffected by this issue. Firefox and Opera continue to function normally under Family Safety settings. Microsoft Edge, being the company's native browser, works seamlessly with all Family Safety features enabled.

Security Considerations

Despite this blocking issue, users should ensure they're running the latest version of Chrome (138.0.720.4950) due to 11 newly discovered vulnerabilities, including three with medium severity ratings. These security updates remain crucial even while dealing with the Family Safety blocking problem.

Timeline and Future Outlook

The issue has persisted for over three weeks since the initial reports in early June 2025. While Microsoft continues working on a permanent solution, the temporary workarounds provided should restore Chrome functionality for affected families and educational institutions. Google's Chrome support team has confirmed they've identified the source of the problem and are coordating with Microsoft for a comprehensive fix.