Internet Explorer Pop-up Blocker

What is a pop-up?

A pop-up is a small web browser window that appears on top of the website you're viewing. Pop-up windows often open as soon as you visit a website and are usually created by advertisers.

What is Pop-up Blocker?

Pop-up Blocker is a feature in Internet Explorer that lets you limit or block most pop-ups. You can choose the level of blocking you prefer, from blocking all pop-up windows to allowing the pop-ups that you want to see. When Pop-up Blocker is turned on, the Information bar displays a message saying "Pop-up blocked. To see this pop-up or additional options click here."

How do I turn Pop-up Blocker on or off?

Pop-up Blocker is turned on in Internet Explorer by default. To turn it off or to turn it on again if you've already turned it off, follow these steps:

To turn on or off Pop-up Blocker in Internet Explorer 7 orInternet Explorer 8

1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button . In the search box, typeInternet Explorer, and then, in the list of results, click Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools button, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then do one of the following:
   • To turn off Pop-up Blocker, click Turn Off Pop-up Blocker.
   • To turn on Pop-up Blocker, click Turn On Pop-up Blocker.

To turn on or off Pop-up Blocker in Internet Explorer 9

1. Click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.
2. On the Privacy tab, select or clear the Turn on Pop-up Blocker check box, and then click OK.

Can I see a pop-up that Internet Explorer blocked?

Yes. Follow these steps:

1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button . In the search box, typeInternet Explorer, and then, in the list of results, click Internet Explorer.
2. Go to a website with a pop-up, and then click the Information bar when it notifies you that a pop-up window has been blocked.
3. Do one of the following:
   • Click Temporarily Allow Pop-ups
   • Click Always Allow Pop-ups from This Site. In the dialog box that appears, click Yes.

Note

You can allow a pop-up to be displayed by pressing Ctrl+Alt as you click a link to open a website that has pop-ups.

How can I choose to allow pop-ups from a specific website?

By default, Internet Explorer displays pop-ups that appear as a result of you clicking a link or button. Pop-up Blocker blocks pop-ups that are displayed automatically (without you clicking a link or button). If you want to allow a specific website to display automatic pop-ups, follow these steps:

To allow automatic pop-ups from a specific website

1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button . In the search box, typeInternet Explorer, and then, in the list of results, click Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools button, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3. In the Address of website to allow box, type the address (or URL) of the website you want to see pop-ups from, and then click Add.
4. Repeat step 3 for every website you want to allow pop-ups from. When you're finished adding websites, click Close.

I turned on Pop-up Blocker but I still see some pop-ups. Why?

The following are some common reasons why you might still be seeing pop-ups:

• You might have software, such as adware or spyware, on your computer that is opening pop-up windows. To stop these pop-ups, you'll have to identify the software that is opening them and then remove it or change its settings to stop it from opening pop-up windows. For information about detecting and removing adware and spyware, see Spyware: frequently asked questions.
• Some windows with active content aren't blocked.
• Internet Explorer won't block pop-ups from websites that are in the Local intranet or Trusted sites content zones. If you want the pop-ups from these websites to be blocked, you have to remove the websites from these zones. For more information, see Security zones: adding or removing websites.

To remove a website from your list of sites that allow pop-ups

1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button . In the search box, typeInternet Explorer, and then, in the list of results, click Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools button, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3. In the Address of website to allow box, click the website you want to remove from the list, and then click Remove.
4. Repeat step 3 for every website you want to remove from the list of websites that can display pop-ups. When you're finished, click Close.

I don't want to see pop-ups, even if they are opened when I click a link or button on a website. Can I set Internet Explorer to block all pop-ups?

Yes. Follow these steps:

To block all pop-ups

1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button . In the search box, typeInternet Explorer, and then, in the list of results, click Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools button, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3. Under Blocking level, select High: Block all pop-ups, and then click Close.
   If you want to see pop-ups that are blocked when you have this setting turned on, hold down Ctrl+Alt while the window opens.

How do I change the Pop-up Blocker settings?

1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button . In the search box, typeInternet Explorer, and then, in the list of results, click Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools button, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3. Make the changes that you would like, and then click Close.

How do I make pop-ups display in a tab?

By default, pop-ups display in separate windows. If you prefer to have pop-ups display in tabs, follow these steps:

To display pop-ups in tabs

1. Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button . In the search box, typeInternet Explorer, and then, in the list of results, click Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
3. Click the General tab, and then, under the Tabs section, click Settings.
4. In the Tabbed Browsing Settings dialog box, click Always open pop-ups in a new tab, and then click OK twice.