How to setup login time limits (a.k.a. "parental controls") if you don't want to login with a Microsoft account?

Question

When creating accounts on Windows 10, you get a choice between "Your family" and "Other users".

If you choose "Your family" you are forced to use a Microsoft account to sign in. There are various reasons why one wouldn't want to do that, such as too much sharing of private information with Microsoft, etc.

If you choose "Other users" you can create regular accounts just fine. However, if you need to setup time limits for some accounts, it is impossible to do so. It is a feature exclusive to "Your family". Not all time-restricted users I want to create are my family, and not everyone is okay with sharing their info with Microsoft.

So, is there a way to setup login time limits for the "Other users" type of accounts?

Answer 1

Setting logon hours using net command will only prevent users from logging in outside the allowed times, but will not lock their sessions or force log out when the logon hours expire.

To lock user session after logon hours expire, run the Local Group Policy Editor and set action to take when logon hours expire:

1. Press Win+R, then type gpedit.msc.
2. Under User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Logon Options, click on Set Action to take when logon hours expire.
3. Choose Enabled, then set the action to Lock or Logoff, depending on your needs.

Answer 2

AFAIK, the parental controls in Windows 10 cannot be used with local accounts. So I researched third party software that can limit time on Windows 10 with local accounts and found these:

Time boss

TimesUpKidz

Time boss officially supports Windows 10 (at least they say so in their FAQ). Not sure about TimesUpKidz. They cost about $30-$50 but maybe a small price to avoid sharing private info with Microsoft?

See this question for more info.

Answer 3

The "net" command limits the logon hours, not limiting the usage time. Once user logged on during the allowed logon hours, Windows will not force the user to log off.

However, if a parent set a child account with time limit via Windows Parental Controls, the child will be forced to logoff after the time limit is up.

So, for the time being, there is no other way to set the time limit without Windows Parental Control. But, if you are bold, take a look at Windows Parental Controls API, and build your own app.