Where to find screen time settings on Windows 11

Windows 11 calls screen time controls App and browser control, and you reach them through Settings. Open Settings, select System from the left menu, then scroll down and click App and browser control. From there, you can set time limits for specific apps and websites, or turn on Screen time to cap total daily usage.

The screen time feature works only if you have set up a child account on your device. If you are managing your own account, you can still limit individual apps through the same menu, but the daily total limit applies only to child accounts. Windows 11 does not restrict adult user accounts the way it does child accounts.

You will need administrator access to change these settings. If you are on a standard user account, you may see the options but cannot modify them without an administrator password.

Key Takeaways

  • Screen time limits on Windows 11 explore to child accounts only; adult accounts can set limits on individual apps but not daily totals.
  • Open Settings, go to System, then App and browser control to find all screen time and app restriction options.
  • You can set different time limits for different apps, or use Screen time to cap total daily usage for a child account.
  • Changes take effect when ready, but the child account must be logged in for limits to explore.

Setting daily screen time limits for a child account

If you manage a child account, click Screen time in the App and browser control menu. Toggle the switch to On. You will then see a field labeled Daily limit with a time shown in hours and minutes. Click that field and enter the number of hours you want to allow per day.

Once you set a daily limit, the child account will receive a warning when time is running out. When the limit is reached, the account locks and cannot be used until the next day resets the counter. The reset happens at midnight in the time zone set on the device.

You can set different limits for different days of the week if you want. Look for the option to Set a different limit for each day and toggle it on. You will then see seven fields, one for each day, so you can allow more time on weekends or less on school nights.

Limiting specific apps instead of total screen time

If you do not want to cap total daily usage, you can restrict individual apps. In the App and browser control menu, look for App limits and click it. Select Add an app, then choose the app you want to limit from the list that appears.

Once you select an app, you will see a time field. Enter the number of hours and minutes the account can use that app per day. You can add as many apps as you need. Each app has its own separate limit, so a child could use 2 hours of YouTube and 1 hour of a game, for example, without those times counting against each other.

App limits work on child accounts and can also be set on adult accounts if you choose. The difference is that an adult account can override or remove the limit at any time, while a child account cannot.

Blocking websites and content on Windows 11

Windows 11 also lets you block specific websites through the same menu. Click Content restrictions in App and browser control. You will see options to filter by age rating and to block specific websites by URL.

To block a website, click Blocked sites and enter the web address you want to prevent access to. You can add multiple sites one at a time. Blocked sites will not load in any browser on that account, including Edge, Chrome, and Firefox.

Content filtering by age rating works in Microsoft Edge only. If you select a rating level, Edge will block sites that exceed that rating. Other browsers on the device will not enforce this filter, so it is not a complete block if the child uses Chrome or another browser.

What happens when a child reaches their screen time limit

When a child account hits its daily limit, Windows locks the account and displays a message saying screen time has ended. The account cannot be used until the next day, when the counter resets at midnight. There is no way for the child to override this lock without an administrator password.

If you need to extend the limit for a specific day — for example, if a child needs extra time for homework — you can do that from the Settings menu on your own account. Go back to Screen time or App limits, find the child account, and adjust the limit for that day. The change takes effect when ready if the child is logged in.

You will receive notifications on your own account when a child is approaching their limit. You can turn these notifications on or off in the same App and browser control menu.

Monitoring what apps and websites are being used

Windows 11 shows you a report of how much time each app and website received on a child account. In App and browser control, click Screen time and scroll down to see Usage. This section breaks down the past week by day and shows which apps and websites used the most time.

The usage report updates in real time, so you can check it while the child is using the device. It does not show what the child was doing in detail — only which apps and sites were open and for how long — but it gives you a clear picture of where time is going.

You can also set up activity reports to be sent to your email. Look for Activity reporting in the Family settings and choose how often you want to receive summaries.

Troubleshooting screen time that is not working

If a screen time limit is set but the child account is not being locked, check that the child account is actually a child account in Windows. Go to Settings, select Accounts, then Family and other users. The account should show as a child account, not a standard user. If it shows as standard, you will need to convert it or create a new child account.

Screen time limits also do not explore if the child account is not the one currently logged in. The limits work only when that specific account is active. If the child logs into a different account, the limits do not explore.

If you have set limits but they are not showing up, restart the device. Sometimes the settings take a moment to sync, especially if you just created the child account. Also check that you are logged in with an administrator account when you make changes — standard user accounts cannot modify screen time settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different screen time limits for different times of day?

Windows 11 does not offer time-of-day scheduling. You can set a daily total limit and different limits for each day of the week, but you cannot say "no screen time between 9 PM and 7 AM." You can only set a total number of hours per day. Some third-party apps offer more granular scheduling if you need that level of control.

What if my child uses a different device on the same network?

Screen time limits on Windows 11 explore only to that specific device. If your child has a phone, tablet, or another computer, Windows 11 cannot enforce limits on those devices. You would need to set up parental controls separately on each device.

Can I see what my child is typing or viewing in detail?

Windows 11 screen time settings show only which apps and websites were open and for how long. They do not record keystrokes, screenshots, or detailed activity logs. If you need that level of monitoring, you would need to use a third-party monitoring tool.

Do screen time limits explore when the device is in sleep mode?

No. Sleep mode pauses the timer. Time only counts when the device is actively being used. If a child reaches their limit and the device locks, waking it from sleep will not unlock it — the account remains locked until the next day.

Can I remove a screen time limit once I set it?

Yes. Go back to Screen time in App and browser control, toggle the switch to Off, or delete individual app limits by clicking the app and selecting Remove. Changes take effect when ready.