When Windows 10 devices are deployed as single-purpose kiosks, be it for business or education, it is necessary to configure them into kiosk mode using appropriate kiosk software.
Windows 10 devices are commonly deployed as public kiosks for web browsing or for displaying only one particular website. The reason is pretty straightforward- the users are familiar with Windows 10 devices over any other desktop or laptop devices.
A Windows 10 device is configured to run only one website in many use-cases. In retail, the businesses want the customers to see only their retail website on kiosk devices strategically placed in the store.
In hospitality businesses, the businesses want to set Wayfinder web apps, websites for self-check-in or booking in the waiting area or self-ordering or review web apps, etc on Windows 10 kiosks. In education, the schools might want to restrict the use of a single specially designed website on Windows 10 kiosk devices.
Scalefusion Windows MDM provisions businesses to lock their kiosk devices to only one website.
This can be done in two ways:
- Lock the Windows 10 device to the browser app in single-app mode, allow only one website.
- Lock the Windows 10 device to multi-app kiosk mode but allow only one website in the selected browser.
How to Block All Websites Except One
Let us have a look at the step-by-step process to allow only one website in Windows 10 device:
Getting started: Configure Scalefusion Windows 10 management on your Windows 10 device.
- Navigate to the Whitelist Websites section in the Device Management section on the Scalefusion dashboard.
2. Click on the Whitelist a website button. Here you can add the website that you want to allow on the Windows 10 devices. Enter the name of the website and add the web URL of the selected website. Here, we have chosen Scalefusion as the website to be allowed on the Windows 10 devices.
Click next to save your settings, skip the Apple and Android settings since they are not relevant for Windows 10. You can whitelist multiple websites at this point. All the other websites will be blocked.
3. Now, navigate to the Device Profile section and choose the Windows 10 profile that you want to configure only one website. You can also start by creating a new Windows 10 device profile.
4. If you want to allow only one website in Windows 10 in single-app mode, skip the application policy in the first step. Click on Next to continue.
5. Enable the website that you want to allow on Windows 10 devices. You can choose from the list of whitelisted websites. (done in step 1) In this example, we have to enable the only one website that we have whitelisted. Click on next to continue.
6. If you want to allow only one website in Windows 10 devices via the Google Chrome browser, you can start configuring the Chrome configurations in this step. Choose home page settings, enter the URL of the allowed website. Enforce to display the home button for users to refresh the one website allowed on Windows 10 devices.
7. Now configure Google Chrome in single app mode on Windows 10
8. To ensure that end-users cannot access any other website on Google Chrome, disable the forward, back and address bar. Save settings to allow only one website in Windows 10 devices via Google Chrome.
9. If you want to allow only one website on Windows 10 devices via Microsoft Kiosk Browser, choose the Windows Kiosk browser in a single app mode. Disable the browser navigation settings the same as the Chrome browser.
10. If you want to allow only one website in multi-app kiosk mode, the settings will continue to be the same for the Chrome browser as the Windows Kiosk browser. Add multiple apps in the select apps section, and ensure you disable the Edge Browser since controlling websites in Edge Browser is not feasible.
You can successfully allow only one website in Windows 10 devices using the steps mentioned above.
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FAQs
1. How to allow only certain websites on windows 10?
To allow only certain websites on Windows 10, you can use built-in tools like Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security or third-party software. Create a custom rule to block all traffic except for specific URLs, effectively restricting browsing to approved sites only.
2. How can I restrict access to only one website on Windows 10?
Restricting access to only one website on Windows 10 involves various methods. You can utilize browser settings, parental controls, or third-party software to enforce the restriction. These methods ensure users can only access the designated website while blocking access to others.
3. What are the benefits of allowing only one website in Windows 10?
Allowing only one website in Windows 10 offers several benefits. It enhances productivity by minimizing distractions, improving focus on essential tasks, and reducing the risk of exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate content. Additionally, it can enhance security by limiting access to trusted and verified websites.
