How to Get Rid of Parental Controls on Computer

Get rid of web monitoring software easily.

Now that the kids have left for college, the need for parental controls on the family computer is no longer necessary. If you're stumped as to how to remove the web-blocking software, don't worry. It's an easy process no matter if you use a Windows- or Mac-based operating system.

Instructions

To Remove Parental Control Software from Windows XP

1. Click "Start" and then open up the "Control Panel".

   Click on "Add or Remove Programs".

2. Wait for the program list to populate. Scroll through the list and identify the monitoring web software such as NetNanny, WebWatcher or similar.

3. Click on the web monitoring software. To the right of the highlighted software is a button that says "Change/Remove", or two buttons, one "Change" the other "Remove". Click the appropriate button that will remove the web blocking software.

   If you get a pop up asking if you wish to continue, click "Yes". The Windows Add/Remove utility will proceed automatically from this point on.

To Remove Parental Control Software from Vista or Windows 7

1. Click "Start", then open up the "Control Panel". A new window will open up, select "Programs and Features".

   The heading will now read "Uninstall or Change a Program".

2. Scroll through the list until you find the web blocking software you wish to remove. Select program. The action "Uninstall" will appear next to the word "Organize" in the bar above the program list. Select "Uninstall".

3. Click Yes when the message box pops up asking if you're sure you want to uninstall the parental controls program. The uninstall utility will take over from there.

To Remove Parental Controls on a Mac

1. Open the "System Preferences" folder.

   Select "Accounts" under the "Systems" header at the bottom of your screen.

2. Select the user account name from which you wish to remove parental controls from the left hand column.

3. Uncheck "Enable Parental Controls".

Tips & Warnings

• Note: if you are not using the classic Control Panel view in Vista or Windows 7, you will go from Start to Control Panel to Programs to Programs and Features.

• For some computer parental control programs it may be necessary to restart your computer. A pop up alert will appear if this is the case. You have the option to restart then or at a later time.

References

• Microsoft: Windows Vista
• Microsoft: Windows 7
• Microsoft: Windows XP
• Apple: Mac