Microsoft Edge includes a “Kids Mode” feature designed to provide a safe, curated browsing environment for children. When activated via the profile menu, it locks the browser into full-screen mode, forces strict SafeSearch, and limits access to a pre-approved list of websites. While highly beneficial for family computers, it is completely inappropriate for corporate or educational environments (like university libraries or office workstations). If an employee or student accidentally enters Kids Mode, they cannot exit without the device’s administrative PIN or password, effectively rendering the browser unusable for legitimate work until IT intervenes.
This guide explains how to completely disable Kids Mode system-wide in Microsoft Edge using Group Policy.
Disable Kids Mode via Group Policy
To enforce a strict block that removes the Kids Mode option from the profile menu entirely, we must use an administrative template. Note that this requires Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.
- Log into Windows 11 with an Administrator account.
- Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialogue box.
- Type
gpedit.mscand press Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor. - In the left-hand navigation pane, carefully navigate to this path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge - In the right-hand pane, scroll down to locate the policy named Configure Kids Mode.
- Double-click the policy to open its configuration window.
- Select the radio button next to Enabled.
- In the “Options” pane below, click the drop-down menu and select Disable Kids Mode.
- Click Apply, then click OK.
Verify the Lockdown
Group Policy changes require the browser to read the registry upon its next launch. Close all active instances of Microsoft Edge.
To verify the restriction is active, reopen Microsoft Edge and click on your Profile icon located in the top-right corner of the toolbar. The “Browse in Kids Mode” button, which is normally present at the bottom of the profile drop-down menu (next to “Add profile” and “Browse as guest”), will be completely missing. Users can no longer accidentally trap the browser in the restricted, full-screen children’s environment, ensuring uninterrupted access to enterprise web applications.