Clear answers before and after you install.
ScreenPact is intentionally focused. These answers explain what it does, what it does not do and how family data is handled.
What is ScreenPact?+
ScreenPact is a local-first Windows internet timer for families. A parent sets a daily internet budget and protected schedules on one Windows 10 or 11 PC; the child can see the remaining time and choose when to start or pause it. ScreenPact does not monitor websites, messages, applications, screenshots or location.
Which Windows account should the parent and child use?+
The normal ScreenPact setup is a parent-controlled Administrator account and a separate Standard User account for the child. The parent uses administrator approval to install and maintain ScreenPact; the child uses the PC without permission to casually install software, change protected system settings or remove ScreenPact.
What does ScreenPact control?+
ScreenPact manages whether one Windows PC can reach the external internet according to the daily budget, Start/Pause state, Protection setting and configured schedules.
Does ScreenPact block individual websites or apps?+
No. It does not filter categories or target individual games, browsers or websites. When access is paused, online games, streaming, chat and browsers lose external connectivity; offline software can continue.
Does ScreenPact record browsing history or screenshots?+
No. It does not record websites, application usage, messages or screenshots, and it does not upload a child activity feed to a cloud dashboard.
Do I need a ScreenPact account?+
No cloud account is required for the local Windows trial. A license key is used to activate continued use after the trial.
Can I manage ScreenPact from my phone?+
Not in v1.2.3. The dashboard is available only on the Windows PC where ScreenPact is running.
Can my child pause the timer?+
Yes. Pause stops the countdown and external internet access, saving unused time for later that same day.
Can a parent add time for today only?+
Yes. After passcode verification, use +5 minutes repeatedly. The change applies only today; tomorrow returns to the normal weekday or weekend plan.
What happens when time reaches zero?+
A new session cannot start and external internet remains unavailable until the next daily reset or an authorized parent changes the current state.
What do the blue, red and yellow ScreenPact buttons mean?+
Blue means the PC is ready to start an internet session. Red means internet time is active and counting down; clicking it pauses the session and returns the button to blue. Yellow with zero time means today’s allowance is finished. Yellow while time remains means Windows does not currently have a usable network connection, so reconnect the family network before trying again.
Does Protection turn back on after Windows restarts?+
No. In v1.2.3, the Protection setting is saved. If a parent turns Protection off for a long supervised exception, it remains off after a restart until the parent unlocks settings, turns it on again and saves. Protection Off is the master bypass: daily limits, Start/Pause and scheduled school-time or bedtime blocks are not enforced.
Why does Windows show Unknown publisher?+
The early installer is not yet Authenticode-signed. Download only from screenpact.com and compare the published checksum before proceeding.
What if I forget the parent passcode?+
ScreenPact cannot display the old passcode. If the PC is already registered, find the registration code in the purchase email and use it to authorize a new six-digit parent passcode. If ScreenPact was never registered, you must purchase and activate a license before Parent Settings can be reopened; support cannot bypass this security check.
Will an update keep my settings?+
Supported six-digit profiles are designed to preserve settings in an overlay update. Legacy five-digit profiles are retired and must be configured again with protection initially off and internet available.
How do I uninstall ScreenPact?+
Use Windows Installed apps, enter the parent passcode and choose whether to keep supported parent data for a reinstall or delete all local ScreenPact parent data.