Where popups come from and how to block them

Popups are windows that appear on your screen without you clicking anything to open them. Most come from websites you visit in your browser, but some come from Windows itself or from programs installed on your computer. The fastest way to stop them is to turn on your browser's built-in popup blocker, which catches most of them before they appear. If popups keep getting through, or if they are coming from Windows or your programs instead of websites, you will need to adjust settings in a few different places.

The reason popups exist is that advertisers pay websites to show them to you. Your browser can block most of these automatically. Windows also sends you notifications that look like popups — these are usually harmless but you can turn them off if they bother you. Some programs on your computer may also create popups; these are harder to block because they come from software you installed, not from the internet.

Key Takeaways

  • Most popups come from websites and are blocked by turning on your browser's popup blocker, which is usually on by default in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
  • If popups still appear, check your browser settings to make sure the blocker is enabled and that you have not accidentally allowed popups for certain websites.
  • Windows 10 notifications that look like popups can be turned off in Settings under System, then Notifications and Actions.
  • Popups from programs you installed may require you to uninstall the program or change its settings, since browser blockers cannot stop them.
  • If a popup asks you to read something or claims your computer has a virus, close it when ready — these are usually scams.

Turn on popup blocking in your web browser

Most popups appear when you are browsing the web, so your browser's popup blocker is your first line of defense. In Google Chrome, the blocker is on by default. To check: click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, select Settings, then Privacy and Security on the left side. Click Site Settings, then Popups and Redirects. Make sure "Blocked (recommended)" is selected. If it is not, click the toggle to turn it on.

In Microsoft Edge, click the three horizontal dots in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy, Search, and Services on the left. Scroll down to Security and find Tracking Prevention. Below that, look for Popup and Redirect Blocking and make sure it is set to On. In Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, select Settings, then Privacy and Security on the left. Scroll to Permissions and find Block Pop-up Windows — make sure the checkbox is marked.

If you have allowed popups for a specific website by accident, you can remove that permission. In Chrome or Edge, click the lock icon next to the website address in the address bar, then find Popups in the list and change it back to Blocked. In Firefox, go back to Settings, Privacy and Security, Permissions, and click Manage Exceptions next to Block Pop-up Windows to see which sites you have allowed.

Stop Windows 10 notifications from appearing

Windows 10 sends you notifications about updates, security alerts, and app activity. These look like popups in the bottom right corner of your screen. If you want to turn them off, click the Start button (Windows logo) in the bottom left, then type Settings and press Enter. Click System on the left side, then Notifications and Actions.

You will see a list of options. To turn off all notifications, click the toggle next to "Get notifications from apps and other senders" to turn it off. If you want to keep some notifications but turn off others, leave that toggle on and scroll down. You can turn off notifications from individual apps by finding them in the list and clicking their toggle. You can also turn off notifications from Windows itself — scroll down and look for "Notifications from Windows" and turn that off if you do not want system alerts.

Remove programs that create unwanted popups

Some popups come from programs installed on your computer, not from websites. These are harder to block because your browser cannot stop them. If popups appear even when you are not using your browser, or if they mention a program by name, the program itself is probably creating them.

To find and remove the program, click the Start button and type Control Panel, then press Enter. Click Programs, then Programs and Features. Look through the list for anything you do not recognize or anything you remember installing around the time the popups started. Click it once to select it, then click Uninstall at the top. Follow the prompts to remove it. After you uninstall, restart your computer — the popups should stop.

If you are not sure whether a program is safe to remove, search for its name online before uninstalling it. Some programs you need for your computer to work properly, and removing them can cause problems. If you are unsure, leave it alone and ask someone you trust before removing it.

Check your browser homepage and search engine settings

Some unwanted programs change your browser's homepage or search engine to one that shows lots of popups. To check your homepage in Chrome, click the three dots in the top right, select Settings, then Appearance on the left. Look at the Homepage section — if it shows a website you do not recognize, click the toggle to turn it off, or change it to Google or another search engine you trust.

To check your search engine, go to Settings, then Privacy and Security on the left, then Search Engine. Make sure it is set to Google, Bing, or another major search engine you recognize. If it is set to something unfamiliar, click it and change it to one you trust. In Edge, click the three dots, select Settings, then Privacy, Search, and Services. Scroll down to Search Engine and make sure it is set to Bing or Google.

What to do if a popup claims your computer has a virus

Scam popups often claim your computer has a virus or security problem and ask you to read something or call a phone number. These are almost always fake. Windows does not send popups telling you to read antivirus software, and legitimate security alerts do not ask you to call a number. If you see one, close it when ready by clicking the X button or pressing Alt and F4 on your keyboard.

Do not click any buttons in the popup, do not read anything it offers, and do not call any number it displays. If you accidentally clicked something in the popup, run a scan with Windows Defender (which comes built into Windows 10) to make sure nothing was installed. Click the Start button, type Windows Security, and press Enter. Click Virus and Threat Protection, then Scan Options, select Quick Scan, and click Scan Now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do popups still appear even though my blocker is on?

Some websites use tricks to get around popup blockers, or the popup might be coming from a program on your computer rather than a website. Check that your blocker is actually enabled in your browser settings. If popups appear when you are not using your browser, uninstall any programs you recently installed. If they only appear on one website, that website may have permission to show popups — remove that permission in your browser's site settings.

Can I block popups on just one website?

Yes. Click the lock icon next to the website address in your address bar, find Popups in the list, and change it to Blocked. If you want to allow popups on that site, change it to Allow instead. You can also block popups from a specific website by going to your browser's site settings and adding it to a blocklist.

Is it safe to uninstall programs I do not recognize?

Search for the program's name online first to see what it does. If it is something you definitely did not install and do not need, it is usually safe to remove. But some programs are required for Windows or other software to work, so be careful. If you are unsure, ask someone you trust before uninstalling.

Do I need antivirus software to stop popups?

No. Your browser's popup blocker handles most popups from websites. Windows Defender, which comes built into Windows 10, handles malware that creates popups. You do not need to buy additional antivirus software unless you have a specific reason to.

What if popups come back after I block them?

Check your browser settings again to make sure the blocker is still on — sometimes updates reset it. If a program keeps creating popups after you uninstall it, restart your computer. If popups return weeks later, you may have accidentally installed something new. Look through your Programs and Features list for anything unfamiliar and remove it.