Parental Lock Guard for Windows

Used Parental Lock Guard for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffJuly 15, 2009

This tool for controlling your child's PC usage offers some nice tools for a free product but isn't quite perfect. Before you can use Parental Lock Guard, you'll have to restart your machine; since the program lacks help files, it took us a while to figure this out. The application lets parents specify the amount of time the PC can be used per day but won't let you configure usage rules for more than one day at a time. You can have the program display a timer showing the user how much time she or he has left, but this isn't mandatory. If your child tries to restart the machine after Parental Lock Guard has turned it off, she or he will need to enter the correct password within 10 seconds or the PC will again shut down. The concise interface features well-labeled icons for easy configuration, and the utility operates stealthily behind the scenes; not only must you call it out of hiding with a hot-key combination, but you also can obscure the Task Manager so young computer geniuses can't use it to disable the program. In addition, Parental Lock Guard can restrict access to certain files and folders. You will find a tool for monitoring Web sites visited and for blocking specified URLs, but this feature appears to work only with Internet Explorer. Parents who are short on cash and don't need a full-blown monitoring suite are likely to find some value in this program.

Parental Lock Guard for Windows

Used Parental Lock Guard for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: May 23, 2005

Latest update: July 15, 2009

Version: 1.2

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows XP
Windows 10
Windows 2000

Additional Requirements: Windows 2000/XP, Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 34,983

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

1.8/5

10 User Votes

does not live up to what it claims
alanheskethMay 4, 2009
Pros
I did like the fact that you had a large list of words that the program looked for and that you could add to the list if needed
Cons
found that it did not block you from entering sites that were specified as blocked
Summary
I tried this program to see if it would block my children from sites that I felt were unsuitable for children but I felt that to go from my using it to my children using was to complicated
Dangerous and Confusing
apaggeotFebruary 1, 2009
Pros
Hides itself well. Locks users from modifying files and folders.
Cons
If you forget your password, you are screwed. Internet filters did not work. I added several blocked parameters and I still accesed the websites. Uninstaller said to use the Windows Add/Remove to uninstall. That did not fully uninstall the program.
Summary
I am sure there are other programs with better features. I do not recommend this program to anybody.<br /><br /><span class='notifyMsg'> Updated </span>on Feb 1, 2009<p/>Try Crawler Parental Control - it seems to work great, lots of options, seperate user account settings. And it is FREE
im not to sure how please send information how it works
theoldwitchSeptember 16, 2008
Pros
it will be ok if it works
Cons
dont know yet weather i like it
Summary
no information on how it works
AVOID THIS USELESS PROGRAM
darrenguiblinAugust 19, 2008
Pros
Cons
click on p+L+G ro bring up main window and nothing happens got rid of it within 15 mins of downloading even rebooted as suggested but still nothing dont waste your time with this program
Summary
Good but has problems
thompson.matthewJanuary 29, 2008
Pros
It is good for prying on what your kids have been looking at
Cons
I don't get it when I press the secret buttonsto get into the interface I can only get into it once. when I close the interface I can't get back into it.
Summary
NOT USER FRIENDLY WHATSOEVER
keglinedJanuary 2, 2008
Pros
Free
Cons
Like most parents, we have a separate User ID for our child - but this program only works for the USER ID under which you install it... or, wait. Maybe we can enable to toolbar... ah there it is! But now our kid can disable the tool bar - oh, wait, that's it -- if temporarily make the kid's USER ID an administrative ID, and THEN unlock the tool bar, and THEN switch to "child mode," and THEN switch the USER ID back to . .. <p> <p>By this point we figured the programmers were too narrow to consider multiple USER IDs, and agreed someone this obtuse probably didn't write all that spectacular program to start with.
Summary
Great if you like user-unfriendly programs!!
irie kJune 28, 2007
Pros
If you like challenges, this is for you!
Cons
First - it has 3 different on/off switches: start/stop timer, main switch, and start/stop countdown. To figure out the working combination of on and offs you have to rely on trial and error, and even if you figure it out, you have to explain the complexities to other adults for them to be able to control. The lack of usefulness is baffling!<p>Second - entering the password when prompted won't stop the timer from counting down! This is simply incredibly idiotic - if you enter the correct password, you are by definition not a person to be controlled, but a controller. For painfully appearent reasons, entering the correct password should stop the timer, but here you also have to manually switch the timer off. Then you have to remember to switch it on again...<p>Third - if you have multiple user accounts on your computer, this application goes bananas outside the administrator's account and has to be shut down.<p>Fourth - if your child is smart enough to know how to uninstall programs from the computer's control panel, this program is gone in a minute: it will happily uninstall without requiring a password.
Summary
Not bad for controlling a daily allotment of computer play time
LaughItOutMay 14, 2007
Pros
The program does what it was programmed to do, controlling the number of hours your kid can play on the computer each day (clocking downward). There are also other features, but I haven't tried them.
Cons
1. The 10 second window to stop the timer can be nerve wrecking at times. Once you use up all your time and you fail to stop the timer, you will have to restart the computer for another try at the 10 second window. <p>2. This program does not control the time of day your kid can use the computer, which means he/she can stay up late at night playing the computer.
Summary
Requires password entry within 10 seconds of each logon...
AAW79May 13, 2007
Pros
Difficult to uninstall (so if the child knows a bit about computers, they shouldn't be able to get round it too easily).
Cons
Everytime you logon, the program is loaded during startup. You are asked for your password and only have ten seconds to enter it. I got my machine into a state where if I didn't enter the correct password within the time limit, it would shut down automatically. This may have been due to an attempt to uninstall it. If you want to uninstall it, make sure you follow their instructions, as its not as simple as uninstalling most programs.
Summary
It works, but not all that great.
g_wheeler2001March 10, 2006
Pros
Contrary to the editor's review, help documentation IS included, and it does tell you to restart the machine after installation.
Cons
Doesn't allow you to set different time limits for each user. Optional countdown timer is formatted oddly (12:00 means time is up??) and can only appear at upper left corner of screen.
Summary

Developer’s Description

By RIA Software

Protect your PC from harmful content.

PC control software for guarding your PC. It can not be stopped in any usual way (without administrator's password) known to the large people population. Protect your PC from entire-day working, Internet not suitable materials, your folders viewing, renaming, deleting, and from starting certain applications. Administrator has all rights to control the PC. Others are second-class users. All mistakes will result in computer's shutting down.