How to turn the Pop-up Blocker on or off

In this guide we explain what a pop-up is. How to turn the pop-up blocker on or off in Chrome, Internet explorer and Edge. The advantages and disadvantages of allowing pop-ups and how to safely close a pop up you didn’t want open.

The instructions regarding how to turn the pop-up blocker on or off will vary slightly depending on which internet browser you are using. There are guides below, on how to turn the pop-up blocker on or off for each of the main browsers.

Chrome: How to turn the pop-up blocker on or off?

1. In Chrome, you will need to click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the browser.
2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu
3. A new page will open, scroll to the bottom and select Advanced.
4. Further settings will open below.
5. Within the Privacy and Security section. Click Content settings
6. Within Content settings. Click Pop-ups
7. From here you will be able to enable and disable the pop-up blocker as well as add sites that you wish pop-ups to be allowed or not allowed.

Microsoft Edge: How to turn the pop-up blocker on or off?

1. In Microsoft Edge, you will need to click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner of the browser. 
2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu
3. A new drop-down will open, scroll to the bottom and under Advanced Settings.
4. Click View Advanced Settings
5. A new drop-down will open, select Block Pop-ups

Internet Explorer 9: How to turn the pop-up blocker on or off?

1. In Internet Explorer 9 you will need to click the cog-shaped icon in the top right corner of the browser.
2. Select Internet Options
3. A new window will open, select the Privacy Tab
4. You will be able to turn the pop-up blocker on or off.
5. For more advanced options select settings.

What are pop-ups?

Pop-ups are browser windows opened by a website. Advertising companies will often use pop-ups to promote a business or product. You may not even be aware a website has opened a pop-up window,  as the pop-up often hides behind the page you are looking at.

Pop-ups can be very irritating; they often contain adult material that is unsuitable for children or simply malicious.  Be very careful clicking a pop up you did not expect to open.

When are pop-ups useful?

There are times when this is useful, for example, you go to your bank’s website and click log in. A new secure window pops up, for you to enter your username and password. If you have pop-ups blocked this may not work.

How to close a pop-up

Be very careful clicking a pop up you did not expect to open. You should always close unexpected pop-ups. If they ask questions or prompt you to click anything, ignore. Instead, follow the below options to safely close a pop-up.

Two options to simply close a pop-up

• Close the pop-up by either clicking the red ‘x’ in the top right corner of the pop-up.
• If it will not close you can hover over the internet icon on the taskbar. A small version of the pop-up appears and click the ‘x’ in the corner to close it.

If nether of those options work you can always use task manager to close a pop-up.

Using Task Manager to close a pop-up

1. Right-click the taskbar (the Windows bar at the bottom of the screen)
2. Select Task Manager
3. You will see an arrow next to the browser icon, click this to show a drop down of open internet pages.
4. Right-click any you don’t want and from the drop-down menu, select End Task

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