Windows 11 Users Voice Frustration: Why Microsoft is Blocking Google Chrome

Update, June 25, 2025: The original article has been updated with new insights about issues with Google Chrome on Windows 11, particularly concerning the Microsoft Family Safety feature and a critical Chrome security update that users should activate promptly.

When you hear about Windows and Google Chrome together, it usually relates to security patches. But recently, a twist has surfaced: Microsoft’s Family Safety feature seems to be blocking Chrome. This has raised eyebrows among Windows 11 users. Let’s break down what’s happening and how to fix it.

Reports about this issue began on June 3 when users on Reddit voiced their frustrations. It followed a Chrome update to version 137.0.7151.68/69. Users found that their browser would shut down unexpectedly and wouldn’t reopen when Family Safety was in use. Interestingly, those using Microsoft Edge didn’t report similar problems.

Google acknowledged this glitch in a support post, stating that the issue arises when Family Safety is enabled. However, Microsoft hasn’t released an official comment about it yet. I’ve reached out to both companies for clarification.

In the meantime, Google has shared a workaround:

• Visit Microsoft Family Safety online or use the mobile app.
• Select your child’s profile.
• Turn off “Filter inappropriate websites” under the Edge tab or unblock Chrome in the Windows tab under Apps & Games.

Looking deeper into this issue, I noticed that Microsoft’s Family Safety feature mainly works with Edge. Their FAQ even states that “Other commonly used browsers will be blocked for this to work.” This suggests that, while the filtering is crucial for Edge, it may be intentionally restrictive for Chrome.

If you’ve faced issues with Chrome crashing, it’s also a good time to update your browser. Google recently disclosed that Chrome had multiple security vulnerabilities. While not classified as critical, these could allow hackers to exploit your system if left unchecked. Updating to the latest version, 138.0.7204.49/50, is crucial.

To force an update, go to the Help menu in Chrome and select “About Google Chrome.” This will check for updates, download them, and require a restart to activate. Don’t worry about losing your open tabs; they’ll usually reopen after the restart.

In total, keeping your Chrome updated is vital not just for browsing but also for the overall security of your Windows machine. Let’s stay safe online!

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