Pop-ups are those small windows that appear unexpectedly when you visit certain websites. Most of them are adverts or spam, and some can be malicious. Clicking the wrong pop-up can lead to unwanted software being installed or your browser being redirected to a phishing site. Here is how to block them in Microsoft Edge.
How to turn on the pop-up blocker
Open Microsoft Edge. Click the three dots in the top right corner and click Settings. On the left, click Cookies and site permissions. Scroll down and click Pop-ups and redirects. Make sure the Block toggle is turned on. Edge will now block most pop-ups automatically.
If a trusted site needs pop-ups
Some legitimate websites, like banking portals or government services, use pop-ups for important functions. If a site you trust is not working because pop-ups are blocked, you can add it as an exception. On the same Pop-ups and redirects settings page, scroll down to the Allow section. Click Add, type the website address and click Add.
Blocking notification pop-ups
Some pop-ups are not actually pop-ups. They are browser notifications from websites you previously gave permission to. These appear in the bottom right corner of your screen even when the browser is closed. To stop them, go to Settings, then Cookies and site permissions, then Notifications. Look through the list of allowed sites and remove any you do not recognise by clicking the three dots next to them and selecting Remove. To prevent future sites from asking, turn off the toggle that says Sites can ask to send notifications.
If you are still seeing pop-ups
If pop-ups keep appearing even with the blocker on, they may be caused by a browser extension you installed or by adware. Click the three dots in Edge, go to Extensions and review what is installed. Remove anything you do not recognise or did not install yourself. If you are unsure whether an extension is safe, remove it and see if the pop-ups stop.
When to get help
If pop-ups persist after following these steps, or if you notice unfamiliar extensions or toolbars in your browser, your device may have adware or malware. Do not try to remove it yourself as some malware reinstalls when deleted incorrectly. Contact your IT provider to have the device properly scanned and cleaned.