Ultimate Guide to Stop Pop-Ups on Windows 10 Easily

Windows 10 pop-ups can be annoying and disruptive. Below, I'll cover different methods to block pop-ups across various platforms including browsers, File Explorer, and system notifications.

How to Block Pop-ups on Windows 10?​

1. Block Pop-ups on Microsoft Edge​

• Open Microsoft Edge: Click on the Edge icon to launch the browser.
• Access Settings:
  • Click the three-dot icon (Settings and More) on the top-right corner.
  • Click on Settings.
• Navigate to Cookies and Site Permissions:
  • Select Cookies and site permissions.
  • Scroll down to Pop-ups and redirects.
• Enable Pop-up Blocker:
  • Toggle the switch to Block (recommended).

This will help prevent most unwanted pop-up windows that could disrupt your browsing experience.

2. Remove Pop-ups in Firefox​

• Open Firefox: Click on the Firefox icon to launch the browser.
• Access Settings:
  • Click the three-line icon in the top-right corner.
  • Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
• Navigate to Privacy & Security:
  • Go to Privacy & Security.
  • Scroll down to the Permissions section.
• Enable Pop-up Blocker:
  • Check the Block pop-up windows checkbox.

This will block most unwanted pop-ups while you browse the internet using Firefox.

3. Stop Pop-ups in Google Chrome​

• Open Google Chrome: Click on the Chrome icon to launch the browser.
• Access Settings:
  • Click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner.
  • Click on Settings.
• Navigate to Site Settings:
  • Select Privacy and Security from the left panel.
  • Choose Site Settings.
• Enable Pop-up Blocker:
  • Scroll down to Content and select Pop-ups and redirects.
  • Click Don’t allow sites to send pop-ups or use redirects.

This will stop most pop-ups from appearing when you use Chrome.

4. Stop Pop-up Ads in File Explorer​

• Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, go to the View menu, and click on Options towards the right.
  
  
• Navigate to the View tab, untick the checkbox for Show sync provider notifications, and click OK to save the changes.

The sync provider notifications are those from OneDrive or Microsoft 365 apps regarding the ongoing sync process in the background. So, you can easily get rid of OneDrive sync pop-ups by reconfiguring the Folder Options.

5. Turn Off Push Notifications on Windows 10​

• Open Settings: Press the Windows key and type Settings, then click on it.
• Navigate to Notifications & Actions:
  • Go to System.
  • Select Notifications & actions from the left panel.
• Disable Notifications:
  • Toggle off the switch under Get notifications from apps and other senders.
  • Scroll down and customize individual app notifications if needed.

Turning off unnecessary push notifications will keep your desktop environment clutter-free.

6. Remove Pop-up Ads on Lock Screen​

• Open Settings: Press the Windows key and type Settings, then click on it.
• Access Lock Screen Settings:
  • Go to Personalization.
  • Select Lock Screen.
• Disable Fun Facts and Tips:
  • Scroll down to the Background section.
  • Choose Picture or Slideshow from the drop-down list.
  • Turn off Get fun facts, tips, tricks, and more on your lock screen.

This will prevent Windows from displaying pop-up ads on your lock screen.

7. Disable Start Menu pop-ups​

• Press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on Personalization.
  
  
• Go to Start from the navigation pane, and disable the Show suggestions occasionally in Start option.

We often come across ads or pop-ups in the Start menu, and though these are not as intrusive or affect the overall experience, disabling them is no hassle. So, if you were looking for ideas on how to stop pop-ups on Windows 10, disabling Start Menu ads would be a great option.

Additional Tips​

• Update Your Browser: Make sure your browsers are up-to-date to get the latest security patches.
• Clear Cache and Cookies: Regularly clear your browser’s cache and cookies to remove any stored data that could trigger pop-ups.
• Install Ad-blocker Extensions: Consider installing ad-blocker extensions such as Adblock Plus or uBlock Origin for additional protection against pop-ups.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce or eliminate the occurrence of pop-ups on your Windows 10 device, ensuring a smoother and more pleasant computing experience.