Guide: How to Block All But Approved Websites on Windows 10 PC
Parents should be aware that the internet is a vast space with billions of websites, many of which contain explicit, inappropriate or offensive content. To protect their children from such material, parents may need to limit or restrict access to certain websites until they are old enough to make informed decisions.
Parents looking to limit their children’s access to the internet on Windows 10 PCs can now do so by blocking all websites except those they have approved. This is a useful tool for parents whose kids use computers for schoolwork or entertainment.
Don’t worry - you won’t be required to use Internet Explorer as your default browser. We’ll just be using its proxy settings.
Internet Explorer’s proxy server feature provides a secure way to block all websites on Windows 10, as it works across the entire system, including Windows apps and browsers. A proxy server acts as an intermediary between a user’s computer and the Internet, allowing for greater control over online activity.
This article will explore how to accomplish a task.
1. Via the Internet Explorer proxy server
Step 2: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear-shaped icon in the top right corner. Select “Internet Options” from the menu. If this is your first time using IE, it may take a few seconds to start up.
Go to the Connections tab in the Internet Options menu window and click LAN Settings.
Check the option to enable a proxy server, then enter the address and port number provided.
The port number should stay at 80, according to experts.
Click the Advanced button, then enter the full addresses of any sites you want to whitelist in the box below. Separate multiple addresses with a semicolon.
Pressing OK on your Windows 10 PC will block all websites except those you have whitelisted, regardless of the browser you are using.
Users attempting to access blocked sites may encounter the message “Internet not available” or “The proxy server is not responding.”
If all other options have been exhausted, using a shared computer on home as a last resort can be an annoyance for other users.
Limitations of this method
Using Internet Explorer may be the simplest way to limit a child’s access to the internet, but it is not foolproof. It won’t work with dial-up connections or VPNs, and can be easily disabled.
Other than a few alternatives, none of which block all websites, users must manually specify the sites they want to block. This can be time-consuming if there are many sites to add.
2. Alternative method: Modify host files
By using a host file, users can reroute web traffic from their computer to a specific IP address, overriding the domain name.
Editing host files in Windows 10 can be risky, as it may prevent certain apps or websites from loading. To make changes, users must first provide the correct permission. Here’s how to do it.
To edit the Hosts file on a Windows 10 PC, right-click the file named “Hosts” located at the following path:
Go to the Users tab, select a user, and click Edit to make changes.
Select the “Users” option, check the “Change” box, then press “Apply” and “OK” to complete the process.
Add the following address to the Hosts file in Notepad to block a website: type the address followed by a space and the website’s URL.
To access multiple websites on your computer, enter the address of each website followed by “127.0.0.1” into a text file and save it. For example, to access Facebook, type “127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com” into the file and save it for future use.
Users attempting to access blocked sites will be met with the message ‘Site cannot be reached’, proving that this method is an effective way to prevent non-administrators from making changes.
Shut out evil
Microsoft Family offers a more user-friendly interface and a range of options to help parents block inappropriate websites for their children’s profiles.
Microsoft Family allows parents to control their children’s screen time and access to age-appropriate games and apps. To use the service, families must have a Microsoft account.
How to Block All But Approved Websites on Windows 10 PC: benefits
Faq
Final note
If you’re looking to restrict access to certain websites on your Windows 10 PC, this guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to do so. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out for help. Don’t forget to share the guide with your friends!
Have a query about blocking websites on Windows 10? Need to correct misinformation or add an alternate method? Contact us through our comment section, contact page, social media accounts, or Telegram channel. We’ll answer your questions within 24-48 hours (weekends excluded).
