How to Set Up Kiosk Mode in Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

To set up kiosk mode in Windows 10, sign in with an administrator account and open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Under Set up a kiosk, click Assigned access > Get started, enter a name for the kiosk account, choose the one app it should run (such as Microsoft Edge or another Store app), and finish the wizard. When someone signs in to that account, the app opens full screen and they can’t use anything else. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to exit.

This guide covers requirements, the full setup wizard, Microsoft Edge kiosk options, how to exit and remove kiosk mode, multi-app kiosks, and fixes for common problems. Keep in mind that Microsoft ended regular support for Windows 10 in October 2025, so for new kiosk deployments, Windows 11 or an extended security update plan is worth considering. The steps are very similar in Windows 11.

What is kiosk mode?

Kiosk mode, officially called assigned access, locks a Windows account to a single app. It’s used for digital signs, check-in stations, library catalog PCs, public web browsers, and point-of-sale displays. People using the kiosk can’t open the Start menu, the desktop, File Explorer, or other apps.

Requirements

• Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Windows 10 Home doesn’t include assigned access. Check your edition in Settings > System > About.
• An administrator account to set it up.
• A Microsoft Store (UWP) app or Microsoft Edge. The Settings wizard can’t use most classic desktop programs; those need the multi-app or shell launcher methods described below.
• Install the app you want to use before you start.

Step 1: Open the kiosk setup

1. Click Start > Settings (gear icon).
2. Click Accounts, then Family & other users on the left.
3. Scroll to Set up a kiosk and click Assigned access, then Get started.

Step 2: Create or pick the kiosk account

1. Type a name for a new kiosk account, like Lobby Kiosk, and click Next. Windows creates a local standard account for it.
2. If you already have a local account you want to use, choose it instead (depending on your version, the wizard may offer this).

Don’t use an administrator account as the kiosk account.

Step 3: Choose the kiosk app

1. Select the app from the list and click Next.
2. If you choose Microsoft Edge, pick how it will be used:
   • As a digital sign or interactive display – shows one website full screen. Enter the URL.
   • As a public browser – allows limited browsing with an InPrivate session. Enter a start page and choose how long Edge waits after inactivity before it restarts and clears the session.
3. Click Next, then Close.

Step 4: Start and test the kiosk

1. Sign out, or restart the PC.
2. Sign in to the kiosk account. The app opens full screen.
3. Test that the app works as expected and that keyboard shortcuts like Windows key and Alt + Tab don’t open other apps.

Depending on your setup, a kiosk account created without a password may sign in automatically when the PC starts. If it doesn’t, you can set up automatic sign-in for that account, but be careful doing this on shared or public devices.

How to exit kiosk mode

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to leave the kiosk app and return to the sign-in screen. On a touch-only device with no keyboard, pressing the Windows button on the hardware five times may also work, depending on the device. From the sign-in screen, choose an administrator account.

How to change or remove kiosk mode

1. Sign in as an administrator.
2. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Assigned access.
3. Click the kiosk and choose a different app, or click Remove kiosk.
4. To delete the kiosk user too, click the account under Other users and choose Remove.

Multi-app kiosks and desktop programs

The Settings wizard supports one Store app or Edge. For more options:

• Multi-app kiosk – on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education, you can allow a set of apps with a restricted Start menu by applying an assigned access XML configuration through a provisioning package (built with Windows Configuration Designer) or a device management service such as Microsoft Intune.
• Shell Launcher – on Enterprise and Education, Shell Launcher replaces the Windows shell with a classic desktop program of your choice.
• PowerShell – administrators can use the Set-AssignedAccess cmdlet to configure a single-app kiosk with a Store app.

Kiosk best practices

• Turn off sleep in Settings > System > Power & sleep so the display stays on.
• Schedule Windows updates outside business hours with Active hours in Windows Update settings.
• Set a strong password on every administrator account on the device.
• Disable USB ports or lock the case if the PC is in a public place.

To undo it later, see how to exit kiosk mode as an administrator.

Troubleshooting

• No “Set up a kiosk” option – you’re probably on Windows 10 Home, or signed in as a standard user.
• Your app isn’t listed – the wizard only shows compatible Store apps and Edge. Install the app from the Microsoft Store, or use a multi-app configuration.
• Black screen after signing in – the app may be failing to launch. Sign in as the kiosk user without kiosk mode (remove it temporarily), open the app once to finish its setup, then set the kiosk again.
• Edge shows the wrong page – edit the kiosk in Assigned access settings and re-enter the URL, including https://.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Google Chrome as a kiosk app?

Not with the Settings wizard, because Chrome is a desktop program. You’d need a multi-app kiosk, Shell Launcher, or Chrome’s own kiosk command-line options with auto sign-in, which is less locked down.

Does kiosk mode work offline?

Yes, if the app works offline. Websites in Edge obviously need an internet connection.

Is kiosk mode secure enough for public use?

It prevents casual access to the rest of the PC, but combine it with physical security, updates, and strong admin passwords for public devices.