PC Hell: How to Remove Content Advisor Password in Internet Explorer

Content Advisor is Internet Explorer's parental control software that allows you to restrict the web pages and content that can be viewed. Content Advisor uses ratings that websites voluntarily provide to block or allow certain content. Because not all websites are rated, unrated websites are automatically blocked (but you can choose to allow them). Once you've adjusted the settings and turn Content Advisor on, it checks websites as you visit them. The Content Advisor is controlled by a password so only parents can adjust the settings. However, what happens if you forget the password or the password no longer works.

NOTE: With Windows 8 and also IE10, Content Advisor has been relabeled to Family Safety. Follow the steps at the bottom for this situation.

How to Remove Content Advisor Password in Internet Explorer

The following steps will remove any password set in the Internet Explorer Content Advisor and allow you to reset the program to its original state.

1) Click on Start and choose Run.

2) Type in RegEdit and select OK.

3) Now click on the little plus sign to the left of H_KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

4) Continue to drill down, always clicking on the plus sign at the left of the named key, through Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version and Policies.

5) Now click on the Ratings folder.

6) In the right pane of the RegEdit window, you'll see an icon called Key. Click on it and press Delete.

7) Next, choose Registry and then Exit to exit RegEdit. You've just deleted your original Content Advisor password.

8) Restart the computer and run Internet Explorer again.

9) Choose View and then Internet Options (or Options for version 3.x). For IE 5 or greater, Click on Tools, Internet Options.

10) Click on the Content tab and click on Disable. When asked for a password, don't enter anything; just click on OK. This will disable Content Advisor because there's no longer a password.

How to Fix Problems with Content Advisor Missing Information

In most cases, this problem occurs when the Ratings.pol file is damaged, follow the instructions below to fix this issue.

1) Quit Internet Explorer

2) Open My Computer, click on Tools, Folder Options

3) Click on the View tab and make sure "Show hidden files and folders" is selected, you may also want to uncheck the box next to "Hide extensions for known file types" and click Ok

4) Double click on Drive C in My Computer

5) Double click on the Windows folder and then double click on the System folder

6) Search for the file RATINGS.POL and right click on it and choose Rename. Rename it to RATINGS.OLD

7) Close out of the open Windows and then reopen Internet Explorer

8) Click on Tools, Internet Options

9) Click on the Content tab, then click on Settings

10) Type in the Supervisor password if necessary and click Ok

11) Select the Ratings options you would like and click Ok and close out of Internet Explorer

12) When you reopen Internet Explorer, everything should work.

How to Remove Content Advisor Password in Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) or Windows 8

Windows 8 and also IE10 have changed the name of this function to Family Safety. An Administrator account handles Family Safety for the other accounts. This can be done from the PC or from the Family Safety website login.However, if you used content advisor before and upgraded to Windows 8 or IE10, then it may not be possible to remove the Content Advisor password unless you use the procedure below.

1) Go to Search in Windows 8 and type REGEDIT and run it.

2) Now click on the little plus sign to the left of H_KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

3) Continue to drill down, always clicking on the plus sign at the left of the named key, through Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version and Policies.

4) Now click on the Ratings folder and Delete it

5) Close the Registry Editor

6) Restart the computer and the Content Advisor password should be removed.

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How to Remove the Content Advisor Password in Internet Explorer or Fix Missing Information

How to Remove Content Advisor Password in Internet Explorer

How to Fix Problems with Content Advisor Missing Information

How to Remove Content Advisor Password in Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) or Windows 8

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How to Remove the Content Advisor Password
in Internet Explorer or Fix Missing Information