Restricted Mode and SafeSearch are enabled for everything permanently

Question

Restricted Mode and SafeSearch are enabled for everything permanently

Anonymous

Restricted Mode is of course for YouTube and SafeSearch is for all search engines. Both were enabled yesterday for no apparent reason, and when I go to turn them off like a quick Google search suggests then it will turn itself on again.

This applies on Incognito mode (which regularly does not happen), on every browser, and all the regular search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing, all unable to switch them off. It's unavoidable even with another account or no account logged in at all.

So far the only solution I come up with is using a mobile hotspot which negates all of the above and lets me use YouTube again. Does not remove my SafeSearch though.

Why exactly has this happened? I'd blame my individual internet connection, but my phone uses the same one and it doesn't have these problems. It can turn on and off Restricted Mode on the same account and it has no SafeSearch. Only on this PC on my connection does this problem occur.

Restricted Mode does not appear to be on at all, nor is the lock. But it still functions as if it were enabled and locked.

Bing has strict mode which claims it is enforced by where I live despite the fact that I'm in the U.S. where SafeSearch is not enforced. The quote, "Your country or region requires a strict Bing SafeSearch setting, which filters out results that might return adult content. If you're seeing adult content, tell us about it so we can filter it in the future. To learn more about SafeSearch requirements in your country or region, see How Bing delivers search results"

I have no Family Link settings or any family-related search settings on that accidentally hinder my browsing. Those are not set up.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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6 additional answers

Answer 1

Anonymous

I made a duplicate thinking I would get a different person to answer my question. I disapproved of your demeanor to be quite honest. However, the problem has been resolved. It was an accidental restriction mode put on by my Xfinity settings.

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Answer 2

That's why I spent time trying to find you all other methods to do what you said you needed, even though you didn't make the exact problem clear.

I see in your duplicate thread started on this that you reveal Bing might be more involved. Do you have anything Bing installed in Settings >Apps> Apps & Features to uninstall, or in any browsers as an Extension which you can remove following this guide:

How To Disable Plugins/Add-Ons/Extensions In Multi... - Box

It's against forums policy to start Duplicate threads on the same subject.

Answer 3

Anonymous

This must be automated. As stated in the original post, "when I go to turn them off like a quick Google search suggests, it will instantly turn itself on again." I have tried that.

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Answer 4

HI GV. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Guardian Moderator here to help you.

To completely turn off Safe Search see here:

https://www.lifewire.com/turn-safe-search-off-4...

To completely turn off Protected Mode see here:

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-disable-protect...

If you enabled an add-on for Protected mode turn it off in browser Settings > Add-Ons:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/286491...

If nothing else helps reset the browsers:

https://www.howtogeek.com/171924/how-to-reset-y...

Make sure you've sync'd your Favorites in Chrome and Firefox which always works, and backed them up manually in Edge since Sync is not dependable.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you will wait to choose if I solved your problem, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 5

They both turned on last night and when I go to turn them off like a quick Google search suggests, it will instantly turn itself on again.

This applies on Incognito mode (which regularly does not happen), on every browser, and all the regular search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing, all unable to switch them off.

So far the only solution I come up with is using a mobile hotspot which negates all of the above and lets me use YouTube again. Does not change SafeSearch though.

Why exactly has this happened? I'd blame my connection but my phone uses the same one and it has no problems. It can turn on and off Restricted Mode on the same account and it has no SafeSearch. Only on PC on my connection does this problem happen.

Odd things to note: Restricted Mode does not appear to be on at all, nor is the lock. But it still functions as if it were enabled and locked.

Both Restricted Mode and SafeSearch are also enabled no matter the account I use or if I do not have an account logged in.

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Restricted Mode and SafeSearch are enabled for everything permanently

6 additional answers