Any person of any age may be addicted to gaming. If you find you or your children spending much time on playing games every day and struggling to focus on other activities because of games, it’s time to take control of the gaming habits. I think it’s not necessary to block all games. Instead, you can limit game time on PC. This article will introduce 3 effective ways to help you do that.
Cisdem AppCrypt
The best way to limit game time on PC is using Cisdem AppCrypt.
Excessive gaming often lead to poor sleep, worse memory, a loss of interest in other activities, and many other physical and mental problems. AppCrypt is a powerful game limiter designed for productivity, parental controls, and digital wellbeing. It can can help you or your children manage gaming habits by limiting game time on PC.
1. Download and install AppCrypt on your PC.
Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7
2. Launch it. Set a password on the prompt window, which can prevent unauthorized users from opening or uninstalling AppCrypt.
Check the box next to Launch at System Startup. Then this game limiter will run automatically every time you start your computer.
3. Click on the lock icon on the task bar. Enter the password to access its main window.
4. Click App Lock. Drag the desktop shortcuts of the game apps into into this program. You can also add specific game launchers to the block list, such as Steam, Epic Games.
If there’s no desktop shortcut for the game app, click the plus icon. Find the game’s EXE file from File Explorer. Select it and click Open.
5. Click Web Block. Click the Import button. Select Games Sites.
You can also enter the domain name of specific game website in the URL box. Click Add.
Note: When you first navigate to the Web Block tab, it will ask you to install extensions for different browsers. You can follow the prompts to add the extension to all browsers on your computer. Or, just add it to the browser you want to limit gaming time on.
6. To limit game time on PC, click the Schedule button at the top. Set time limits for all gaming apps and websites in the block list.
You can create different schedules for different days of the week.
Now the game time limits have been successfully set.
During the restricted time, neither you nor any other user of this computer will be able to access the blocked games without password.
AppCrypt allows you to create custom schedules for specific apps or websites. If you want to set a time limit for a specific game - for example, if you notice your child is spending too much time on Steam, simply select Steam from the block list. Click the clock icon that appears. Then enable “Custom Schedule” at the bottom-left corner. Set the time limit based on your needs.
Cold Turkey is also an app that helps limit game time on PC. Compared to AppCrypt, it offers a wider range of features, most of which are available in its Pro version, priced at $45. It’s a bit expensive.
1. Download and install Cold Turkey on your PC.
2. Open it. Install extensions to all of your browsers as required. But when I used it, it said that Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and DuckDuckGo browsers were not supported.
3. Click Blocks. Click New block.
4. Go to the Websites tab. Enter the domain name of the game website you want to set a time limit for in the URL box. Click Add.
Or click the Import button. Select Pre-made list > Games to add a large number of popular online games to the block list.
5. If you need to set time limits on specific game apps like Roblox, Discord, Steam, go to the Apps tab. Upgrade to its Pro version. Then click Add exe file to block. Find the game app’s EXE file. Add it to the block list.
6. Click Save as. Name this block list, such as Games.
7. This feature is also only available in the Pro version. Click the Blocked at all times button under the block list name. Select According to this schedule. Now you can set custom schedules to limit game time on your PC.
8. Toggle the switch next to the block list name to activate the game limit.
If you want to limit game time on PC for your children, or a family member, Microsoft Family Safety is also a great option. It is a parental controls app built into the Windows 10, Home edition. If you are using other version of Windows, you can also download it for free from the Microsoft Store.
With Microsoft Family Safety, you can set time limits on specific games. It also allows you to view certain web, search, app and game activity of your children, helping you better manage their gaming habits.
First, you need to create a Microsoft account for your child. If your child already has an account, just add him/her to your family group.
1. Open the Family app, or visit family.microsoft.com on a browser. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
2. Under Your family, click Add a family member.
3. If your child has a Microsoft account, skip to step 4.
If not, select Member. Click Next. Click Create an account. Enter your child’s email address. Set a password. Then enter your child's information, including name, country, date of birth, etc.
4. Go back to the Family Safety main window. Click Add a family member > Member > Next. Enter the Microsoft account email address of your child and send the invitation.
5. Ask your child to log his/her own account and accept the invitation.
Now you can limit your child's gaming time in Family Safety.
1. Open the Family app on your PC or visit the official site of Microsoft Family Safety.
2. Under Your family, select your child’s account.
3. Click Apps and games.
4. Find the game you want to set a time limit for. Specify how long your child is allowed to play it, such as one hour per day. You can also set specific time periods, like 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekends.
Make sure your child can only sign in to Windows using his/her own Microsoft account, otherwise the game limits won’t take effect.
To prevent your child from bypassing game time limits, you should lock the tools you use to manage your child's gaming behavior with a strong password. Some third-party game blockers (such as Cisdem AppCrypt) come with password protection to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, regularly check your child's PC for any VPN or proxy software installed. Some children may use these tools to bypass the restrictions.
Yes. If your child uses multiple devices, you can still set game time limits across all of them.
With Microsoft Family Safety, as long as your child is signed in with the same Microsoft account on each device, the game time limits you set will apply to all connected devices. If you are using tools like AppCrypt or Cold Turkey, you will need to install the software and set the game time limits individually on each of your child's devices.
Controlling the amount of time spent on gaming is essential for those struggling with game addiction. This article introduced 3 different ways on how to limit game time on PC, including using third-party game blockers and the built-in tool available for Windows. If you are not tech-savvy and have poor self-control, AppCrypt is a better choice.
Norah Hayes likes to share her tips on how to improve focus and stay motivated at work. She believes it is essential to eliminate all online distractions during work hours.
