Pop-up ads are small – sometimes large – windows that open automatically on your screen, when you are browsing the web. They could be pop-ups or pop-unders. Pop-ups open in front of your active browser window, whereas a Pop-under opens under your browser, and it is only when you go on to close your browser, do you see the Pop-under.
Nothing can be more irritating than getting pop-ups in your browser when surfing the internet. These days, however, most modern browsers have solid pop-up blockers that help block pop-ups in Windows- and they are enabled by default. While there may some popups which are useful and important – some can be irritating advertisements, adware, phishing pop-ups, scareware pop-ups forcing you to buy fake optimizers or security software, Drive-by download pop-ups or pop-ups which install malware when you close them.
A pop-up may open when you are surging a website, or it could get triggered when you open some link on a web page. In such cases, two windows open, one with your link and the other with some pop-up ad. If pop-up ads open even when you are not surfing, it is quite possible that your Windows computer might be infected with spyware or have adware installed.
Hoq to manage Pop-Ups in browsers
All browsers today include a robust anti-popup feature. It is usually enabled by default – but make sure you do have it enabled in your browser. But often, even with all our anti-popup features in place, you see them slip through occasionally. If you desire additional protection, you may install a pop-up blocker browser extension or consider installing a free pop-up blocker software. They are pretty aggressive in blocking pop-ups and pop-unders.
Whenever a pop-up is blocked by your browser, you will see a notification to this effect. You will also be offered options to – Allow pop up or Block pop up – This time or Always. In this post, we will see how you can block irritating pop-ups in Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera web browsers in Windows 11/10.
Block Pop-Ups in Chrome
Launch Chrome, type the following in the address bar and hit Enter:
chrome://settings/content/popups
Here, you can manage, allow, or block popups.
Manage Popups in Microsoft Edge
Launch Edge (Chromium), type this in your address bar and hit Enter:
edge://settings/content/popups
Here you can manage, allow, or block popups.
Block Pop-Ups in Firefox
Launch Firefox and navigate to the following setting using your address bar:
about:preferences#privacy
Here, you can:
- Allow Sites
- Remove Site
- Remove All Sites.
Block Pop-Ups in Opera
Launch Opera, type the following in the address bar and hit Enter:
settings/content/popups
Here you can manage, allow, or block popups.
Block Pop-Ups in Internet Explorer
Open Internet Options > Privacy tab. Under Pop-up Blocker settings, you can check or uncheck the Turn on Pop-up Blocker checkbox to Turn On or Turn Off the popup blocker.
Clicking on its Settings button will allow you to add or remove websites where pop-ups should be allowed. You can also select the Blocking Level from High, Medium, or Low. The Medium setting is suitable for most users.
Just for your information, a Pop-up Blocker is different from SmartScreen, as it only limits most pop-ups on sites. SmartScreen on the other hand checks sites you visit and files you download for threats to your security.
I hope this helps you.
Next, we will see how to avoid harmful pop-ups on your browser.
