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How to Use Microsoft Take a Test to Lock Down Forms Assessments

Ayan Masood Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to securely lock down a Microsoft Forms assessment using the Microsoft Take a Test application.

How to Use Microsoft Take a Test to Lock Down Forms Assessments

Product: Microsoft Forms / Windows
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Administering a secure exam or assessment where students cannot access other apps, print, or capture screens.
Observed behavior: Opening a Microsoft Forms link in a standard web browser fails to provide a secure, locked-down environment for testing.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator access to the Windows devices used for testing and that the Microsoft Take a Test app is installed on the managed devices.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure the Take a Test App with a Secure Assessment Link

The most reliable method to ensure a secure environment is to generate a dedicated secure link that forces the assessment to open directly in the Take a Test app.

Simply sharing a standard Microsoft Forms URL will open the quiz in a regular browser, allowing students to navigate to other websites. You must use a specific prefix to trigger the lockdown environment.

Create and copy the Forms link

Modify the URL for Take a Test

Add the required Take a Test prefix (ms-edu-secureassessment:<URL>!enforceLockdown) to the copied URL so the Windows system recognizes it as a secure assessment.

Distribute the secure link

Provide this modified secure link to students. When clicked, it will automatically launch the Take a Test app instead of a standard web browser.

Configure the Take a Test App with a Secure Assessment Link

Testing Environment Secured: When launched correctly, students will be locked into the assessment, unable to access other applications or use keyboard shortcuts like Print Screen.

Solution 2

Set Up Kiosk Mode on Managed Windows Devices

For institutional devices, use mobile device management (MDM) or group policies to enforce Kiosk mode for the Take a Test app.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Educational Documents with WPS Office

While Microsoft Take a Test handles secure online forms, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative for creating, editing, and managing your study materials, lesson plans, and offline quizzes.

1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free installation package for your operating system.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software on your device.
3. Open existing documents: Launch WPS Office to instantly view and edit your existing Microsoft Office educational documents without formatting loss.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Lightweight software that runs smoothly on older or budget student devices.Familiar user interface requiring zero learning curve for seamless migration.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can students still browse the web when taking my Microsoft Form?

If you distribute the standard Microsoft Forms link, it opens in a regular web browser, which does not restrict web navigation. You must use the Take a Test app or apply Windows testing policies to enforce a lockdown environment.

Does Microsoft Take a Test work on non-Windows devices?

No, the Microsoft Take a Test application is specifically designed for Windows 10 and Windows 11. For Chromebooks or iPads, you will need to use their respective native kiosk or guided access features.

Can I prevent students from taking screenshots during the assessment?

Yes. When the assessment is properly launched through the Take a Test app in a managed environment, screen capture tools, printing, and background applications are automatically blocked by the operating system.

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