• Protect a Windows 11 device with Safe Surfer

  Safe Surfer makes it easy to block porn and other harmful online content on a Windows 11 device. This guide will show you how to install Safe Surfer protection. Step 1: Install protection On the device to be protected, visit the Windows app download page (https://safesurfer.io/windows), then click the Download for Windows button. Once the Safe Surfer app installer has dFeatured

• Why does the Safe Surfer for Windows installer report that "App Installer failed to install package dependencies"?

  The Safe Surfer for Windows app uses a Microsoft technology for Windows called App Installer, which is designed to retrieve what's called a "runtime". In most cases, the runtime is automatically download through the Microsoft Store app in the background. If the Safe Surfer for Windows installer reports that "App Installer failed to install package dependencies", try the following: Update Microsoft Store apps Click the Start menu, then open the Microsoft Store app. (If you can't see the MicroFew readers

• Windows full installation guides

  You can find out how to install Safe Surfer for Windows step by step with the following guides. To learn how to protect a Windows 11 device, click this link. To learn how to protect a Windows 10 device, click this link. Most Windows devices manufactured since 2018/2019 support running WindFew readers

• Why does the Safe Surfer Windows app installer say, "This app package's publisher certificate could not be verified"?

  The Safe Surfer Windows app installer might mention, "This app package's publisher certificate could not be verified", if you have a very old version of the installer. You can resolve this by downloading the latest version of the Windows app by visiting the Windows app download page (https://safesurfer.io/windows).Few readers

• Unsupported apps on Windows

  Due to various technical reasons, Safe Surfer for Windows does not support running alongside some apps. There are two categories of apps: incompatible apps, and unsupported apps. As of app version 1.3.1, Safe Surfer will attempt to detect these apps, and if it finds any, it will warn you during installation. Incompatible apps Incompatible apps are apps that directly interfere with how Safe Surfer works on Windows. If you attempt to install protection with one of the following apps, Safe SuFew readers

• Why does Safe Surfer for Windows not work after installing or replacing a Wi-Fi or Ethernet adaptor?

  If your Safe Surfer Windows app version is older than version 1.2.2 (released January 2025), Safe Surfer won't automatically apply protection to new Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapters. You can resolve this by opening the Safe Surfer app > uninstall protection inside the app > once protection has been uninstalled, download and install the latest version from the Windows app download page (https://safesurfer.io/windows) > once the app has opened, it will offer to uninstall any old versions of the app on tFew readers

• How to block Tor Browser on Windows

  Safe Surfer is a software company based in New Zealand. We develop online safety technology for families and individuals to block porn and other harmful online content. If you would like to block Tor Browser on a Windows computer, you can do this with our Windows app. Block Tor Browser on Windows After installing Safe Surfer for Windows, we automatically block Tor networking systems for you.Few readers

• Why does the Safe Surfer Windows app installer say that "sideloading is blocked by policy"?

  The Safe Surfer for Windows app uses a Microsoft technology for Windows called App Installer. If a Windows device that you're wanting to protect is signed in to a Microsoft work/school account, the Safe Surfer app installer might report that "sideloading is blocked by policy". This is a setting applied to the device remotely by the organisation responsible for managing how the device can be used. Allow app sideloading To figure out the specific work/school account that is responsible for aFew readers

• Why does the Safe Surfer for Windows installer get stuck on "Installing required frameworks"?

  The Safe Surfer for Windows app installer might need to automatically download what's called a "runtime" package through the Microsoft Store app in the background. In specific situations, this can take a little while to download and might look like it's stuck when it's actually busy in the background doing work. This is normal, and might take anywhere between 1–3 minutes to download. If it takes longer than a few minutes to download, try restarting the device to see if that helps. If you're sFew readers

• Why does a VPN web browser extension say that "your admin has blocked this item"?

  Since late 2024, the Safe Surfer for Windows app disables VPN web browser extensions by default to prevent protection evasion. If you need to use these, you can re-enable them. Re-enable VPN web browser extensions Open the Safe Surfer app (and enter the PIN if asked), then click the Settings cog icon at the upper-right corner. Click the switch found next to Block VPN web browsFew readers

• Why is the Safe Surfer for Windows app getting stuck on a spinning progress ring?

  Safe Surfer for Windows relies on a Windows technology called Edge WebView2. We use this to serve some Safe Surfer dashboard content within the Windows app. This can fail in rare situations, causing the app to get stuck. If the app is loading with a progress ring, this process shouldn't take any more than a minute to load. If it's still spinning after a minute, close the app and try the following steps: Install Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime Download and install the Edge WebView2 installerFew readers

• Why does Safe Surfer for Windows not work when using a SIM card (mobile broadband) connection on my laptop?

  Some laptops (especially in the business market) feature a 4G/5G mobile broadband modem. This is very similar to the technology used to provide a cellular connection for smartphones, along with some tablets. Due to how Windows works, Safe Surfer unfortunately does not support filtering when connecting to the Internet over a mobile broadband modem. In app version 1.2.0Few readers

• Why does the Windows Settings app say that "Some of these settings are managed by your organisation"?

  The Safe Surfer for Windows app blocks a small amount of Windows settings by default, so that we can provide the protected device user with a safer online experience. If you see a message in the Windows Settings app that "Some of these settings are managed by your organisation", it's possible that the Safe Surfer app is controlling these settings. For example, Safe Surfer blocks the Widgets feature by default. If you want to reenable a Windows feature that the Safe Surfer app is blocking, you cFew readers

• Why doesn't Safe Surfer for Windows support Windows devices in S mode?

  To protect Windows devices, Safe Surfer requires the person installing protection to allow something called administrative changes to the device. By design, Windows devices in S mode do not allow these changes to be made, which is why Safe Surfer cannot be installed if a device is in S mode. If the device is in S mode, you can find out how to switch the device out of S mode (so that it can be protected by Safe Surfer) by [clicking this link](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/switching-Few readers

• Why are there two (or more) versions of Safe Surfer installed on a Windows device?

  As of Windows app version 1.4.16 (July 2026), Safe Surfer will automatically clean up any old versions of the Windows app when installing or uninstalling protection inside the app. If you see multiple versions of the Safe Surfer app inside your Start menu (as per the following example), download and install the latest version from the Windows app download page (https://safesurfer.io/windows). Once the app has opened, it will check for old installations of the app and offer to uninstall them forFew readers

• Why can't I use Incognito windows or private windows after installing Safe Surfer for Windows?

  Since late 2024, the Safe Surfer for Windows app disables Incognito windows / private windows in web browser apps by default. This is performed for two primary reasons: Disabling Incognito mode can deter the viewing of inappropriate content. If needed, parents can manually review every website page viewed on a device, because Safe Surfer's filtering systems processes website domains (such as my.safesurfer.io) rather than full links (such as [https://my.safesurfFew readers

• Why is my mobile broadband SIM network adapter not working after installing Safe Surfer for Windows?

  Due to how Windows manages mobile broadband network adapters, Safe Surfer unfortunately does not work with them. Using Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or connecting to a hotspot is still fully supported. When Safe Surfer is installed on a device, we automatically disable mobile broadband adapters. If you absolutely need to use a mobile broadband adapter, you can find out how to re-enable it as follows. Due to how Windows works, we strongly recommend not using a mobile broadband network adapter. The best wFew readers

• Why can't I find my company VPN connection after installing Safe Surfer for Windows?

  Since late 2024, the Safe Surfer for Windows app supports disabling Windows VPN features to stop some consumer VPN apps from evading Safe Surfer filtering. If you need these features (for example, in a company situation) for a device that you're protecting, you can turn this setting off. Re-enable built-in Windows VPN features Open the Safe Surfer app (and enter the PIN if asked), then click the Settings cog icon at the upper-right corner. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/websiFew readers

• Windows full uninstallation guides

  You can find out how to uninstall Safe Surfer for Windows step by step with the following guides. To learn how to remove Safe Surfer from a Windows 11 device, click this link. To learn how to remove Safe Surfer from a Windows 10 device, click this link. If you're not sure what version of WinFew readers

• Windows system requirements and notes

  You can find out more about Safe Surfer system requirements by clicking this link.Few readers

• Why does the Windows VPN menu say that "some of these settings are managed by your organisation"?

  Since late 2024, the Safe Surfer for Windows app supports disabling Windows VPN features to stop some consumer VPN apps from evading Safe Surfer filtering. If you need these features (for example, in a company situation) for a device that you're protecting, you can turn this setting off. Re-enable built-in Windows VPN features Open the Safe Surfer app (and enter the PIN if asked), then click the Settings cog icon at the upper-right corner. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/websiFew readers

• How can I update the Safe Surfer for Windows app?

  It's easy to update the Safe Surfer for Windows app. You can find out how to do so by going through the following instructions. The following instructions refer to the Safe Surfer app itself, along with its optional features engine (since July 2026). This doesn't include any changes we might have made to Windows and browser app management, as per the Windows changelog. If you want to fully update everytFew readers

• Why does the Windows proxy menu say that "some of these settings are managed by your organisation"?

  Since late 2024, the Safe Surfer for Windows app supports disabling Windows proxy features to stop proxies from evading Safe Surfer filtering. If you need these features (for example, in a company situation) for a device that you're protecting, you can turn this setting off. Re-enable built-in Windows proxy features Open the Safe Surfer app (and enter the PIN if asked), then click the Settings cog icon at the upper-right corner. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/f8920d47Few readers

• Why can't I use the built-in Windows proxy features after installing Safe Surfer?

  Since late 2024, the Safe Surfer for Windows app supports disabling Windows proxy features to stop proxies from evading Safe Surfer filtering. If you need these features (for example, in a company situation) for a device that you're protecting, you can turn this setting off. Re-enable built-in Windows proxy features Open the Safe Surfer app (and enter the PIN if asked), then click the Settings cog icon at the upper-right corner. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/f8920d47Few readers

• Why can't I use the built-in Windows VPN features after installing Safe Surfer?

  Since late 2024, the Safe Surfer for Windows app supports disabling Windows VPN features to stop some consumer VPN apps from evading Safe Surfer filtering. If you need to use these features (for example, to connect to a company network off-site), you can re-enable them. Re-enable built-in Windows VPN features Open the Safe Surfer app (and enter the PIN if asked), then click the Settings cog icon at the upper-right corner. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/f8920d476a21b00Few readers

• Why can't I find my proxy settings after installing Safe Surfer for Windows?

  Since late 2024, the Safe Surfer for Windows app supports disabling Windows proxy features to stop proxies from evading Safe Surfer filtering. If you need these features (for example, in a company situation) for a device that you're protecting, you can turn this setting off. Re-enable built-in Windows proxy features Open the Safe Surfer app (and enter the PIN if asked), then click the Settings cog icon at the upper-right corner. ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/f8920d47Few readers

• Why is the Safe Surfer app not working after installing the Windows 11 2024 Update (24H2)?

  If you installed the Safe Surfer Windows app before early December 2024 (prior to version 1.2.0) on a device running a version of Windows older than the Windows 11 2024 Update (Version 24H2), and you have since upgraded to Windows 11 Version 24H2 or newer, the protection installation/uninstallation system might not work. This issue was resolved in version 1.2.0 of the Windows app. To resolve this issue, download and install the latest version of the Safe Surfer Windows app (https://safesurfer.ioFew readers

• Protect a Windows 10 device with Safe Surfer

  Safe Surfer makes it easy to block porn and other harmful online content on a Windows 10 device. This guide will show you how to install Safe Surfer protection. Step 1: Install protection On the device to be protected, visit the Windows app download page (https://safesurfer.io/windows), then click the Download for Windows button. Once the Safe Surfer app installer has dowFew readers

• How to stop Safe Surfer protection from being uninstalled on Windows computers

  For Windows devices, once you have installed protection inside the Safe Surfer app, we have already performed the following additional protection steps for you: If the protection installation is modified while protection is meant to be running, Safe Surfer will automatically recover it as quickly as possible, typically within 10 seconds. (This is the default for all protection installations as of July 2026.) Disabling private browsing windows (and the deletion of browsing history wherever sPopular

• Reset my Safe Surfer app PIN on Windows

  This article will show you how to reset the PIN for the Safe Surfer Windows app. Reset Safe Surfer Windows app PIN Open the Safe Surfer app on the protected device, then click the Reset option. On the login page, click the "Email me a sign-in code" button. If you've updated your account email address since Safe Surfer was installed, you can manually specify the nFew readers

• Safe Surfer Windows app changelog

  Find out what we've changed recently in Safe Surfer for Windows: Version 1.4.16 (released 21 July 2026) 1.4.16 is the version that follows 1.3.4 due to new technology innovations, along with various revisions by the Safe Surfer team. New! Ported from our flagship Android technology, Safe Surfer for Windows now features support for app blocking (having full control over individual apps), social media monitoring, and nudity detection. This can be managed in the Settings menu. New! AfterFew readers

• How to upgrade to the new version of the Safe Surfer for Windows app

  In 2023, Safe Surfer released a new version of the Windows app. We started from scratch, and we're really excited about the various improvements underneath! The following guide will show you how to upgrade. Please note that this guide is intended for Windows app installations performed before September 2023, which was when we released our brand new Windows app. If Safe Surfer was installed after SepteFew readers

• How to block porn on Windows 11

  Safe Surfer makes it easy to block porn and other harmful online content on a Windows 11 device. This guide will show you how to install Safe Surfer protection. Step 1: Install protection On the device to be protected, visit the Windows app download page (https://safesurfer.io/windows), then click the Download for Windows button. Once the Safe Surfer app installer has dPopular

• How to block porn on Windows 10

  Safe Surfer makes it easy to block porn and other harmful online content on a Windows 10 device. This guide will show you how to install Safe Surfer protection. Step 1: Install protection On the device to be protected, visit the Windows app download page (https://safesurfer.io/windows), then click the Download for Windows button. Once the Safe Surfer app installer has dowSome readers

• New Windows app beta

  The new Safe Surfer for Windows app has been published! You can find out more by clicking this link.Few readers

• How to uninstall Safe Surfer for Windows 11

  This guide will show you how to uninstall Safe Surfer on a Windows 11 device, along with any remaining protection installation. Uninstall the Safe Surfer app Open the Start menu, find the Safe Surfer app and open it, and enter your PIN. Click the "Uninstall protection" button. When Windows asks for your permission to make changes with Windows PowerShell, click the YeFew readers

• How to uninstall Safe Surfer for Windows 10

  This guide will show you how to uninstall Safe Surfer on a Windows 10 device, along with any remaining protection installation. Uninstall the Safe Surfer app Open the Start menu, find the Safe Surfer app and open it, and enter your PIN. Click the "Uninstall protection" button. When Windows asks for your permission to make changes with Windows PowerShell, click the YesFew readers