A reader asked us a unproblematic question that, well, isn't so simple. 'How do I cake popular up windows in Windows 7 and Windows viii?' he said. That and no more.

It's not simple because it is such a broad question. So we've taken a broad approach. In this article I'll show yous how to prevent popular ups appearing when y'all are browsing the web with Internet Explorer, Firefox and Chrome, when using Windows 7 or Windows viii. I'll as well show y'all how to remove abrasive pop up windows from the Windows Desktop, past removing the program that is causing them - oftentimes an expired AV program.

Information technology should be said that some pop ups are unavoidable: if your PC is at take a chance, Windows will want to warn you lot. In almost all cases at that place is a checkbox that allows you to dismiss that and time to come messages, but the nagging vocalism of sense is a part of Windows that will never get away. Equally a general bespeak, withal, a pop upwardly message that isn't from Windows itself is likely to exist a sign of some software being up to no expert. As with all Windows PCs and laptops you must ensure you are running solid and upward-to-date security software. See our Best antivirus for PC and laptop.

If you see an unwanted pop-upwardly every time you kick your PC or laptop, it is pretty much guaranteed that some software you neither demand nor want is installed. We'll address that issue first, earlier tackling annoying pop-ups when yous are browsing the web.

How to get rid of annoying pop ups on the Desktop

As we mentioned higher up there are some popular ups that Windows itself sends your way. These have been reduced in Windows 7 and Windows viii, but they will never go abroad entirely. And, well, they're of import.

However, some programs you accept installed intentionally or unwittingly will continue to nag you long after you have had a use for them. Beneath we'll show y'all how to install a program that is nagging you. Just first a discussion of caution: if your security software, your antivirus, is request you to update, you lot may have out of engagement protection and you need to do something about it. But that doesn't mean y'all have to pay to renew. You could delete the program equally outlined below, and so plow on the gratuitous Windows Defender.

So, if you keep seeing an annoying nagging window request you to update or pay for software you no longer use, you should uninstall that programme. If you don't know it'southward name, open up the job manager when it is doing its annoying flim-flam and you'll detect it listed there.

In both Windows 7 and Windows 8 yous can uninstall a program past opening Programs and Features. In Windows 7 click the Start button, Control Panel, clicking Programs, and then choose Programs and Features. In Windows 8 just open up the Search charm and blazon in Programs and Features.

Select the programme you want to kill and click Uninstall. Some programs include the option to change or repair the plan in addition to uninstalling information technology, merely many offer only the option to uninstall. Choose Uninstall, then ostend your choice. And you're done.

How to finish popular ups when browsing the web

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Here's how to cease popular ups appearing when browsing with IE (Cyberspace Explorer). Open Internet Explorer. Click the tools button (information technology is in the top righthand corner and looks similar a cog), then select internet options. Go to the Privacy tab, and under Popular-upwards Blocker, select the Turn on Pop-up Blocker check box, and and so tap or click ok.

If this box is clicked and y'all are still seeing pop ups, hit Settings, and in the Pop-up Blocker Settings window that appears go to the bottom and detect 'Blocking level'. Change the droop-downward from the default 'Medium: Cake almost automated pop-ups' to 'High: Block all popular-ups (Ctrl+Alt to override)'.

Block IE pop ups

Here's how to stop popular ups appearing when browsing with Firefox. First, open Firefox.

At the pinnacle lefthand corder of the Firefox window, click on the Firefox button and so select Options, then select the Content console. You'll see a checkbox entitled 'Block pop-up windows'. Ensure information technology is checked. Unlike IE there are no levels of pop-upwards blocking: just on or off. Exceptions allows you to add a listing of sites that you lot want to allow to display pop-ups.

Here'southward how to stop pop ups appearing when browsing with Chrome.

By default Google Chrome simply prevents pop-ups from automatically actualization and cluttering your screen. Whenever the browser blocks pop-ups for a site, the blocked popular-upwardly alarm icon appears in the address bar.

Y'all can bank check that this is in place by opening Chrome and clicking the options icon, information technology looks similar iii horizontal lines and can be found in the top righthand corner of the window. Click information technology, then scroll down and select 'Settings'. Now scroll down to the lesser and click 'Show advanced settings'. And so discover and choose 'Content settings', under 'Privacy'. Like Firefox you can at present choose to allow all or no popular-ups, and choose to add exceptions.

See all How to articles.