How to Stop Pop-Ups and Ads on Your PC

Romen Roy

29 Aug, 2025

Pop-up ads and intrusive advertisements can disrupt your browsing experience, slow down your PC, and even pose security risks. Fortunately, there are practical steps you can take to stop pop-ups and ads on your computer. In this guide, we’ll walk you through effective methods to block unwanted ads, optimize your browsing, and keep your PC secure. Follow these SEO-optimized tips to enjoy a cleaner, faster online experience.

Why Pop-Ups and Ads Are a Problem

Pop-ups and ads can be more than just annoying. They often:

Slow down your PC: Ads consume bandwidth and system resources.
Pose security risks: Malicious ads (malvertising) can install malware or redirect you to phishing sites.
Disrupt productivity: Constant pop-ups interrupt your workflow or browsing.
Track your data: Many ads collect personal information without your consent.

By taking control of pop-ups and ads, you can improve your PC’s performance, enhance privacy, and reduce distractions.

1. Enable Built-In Pop-Up Blockers in Your Browser

Most modern web browsers come with built-in pop-up blockers. Activating or fine-tuning these settings is a quick way to stop intrusive pop-ups.

How to Enable Pop-Up Blockers

Google Chrome:

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings.
Scroll to Pop-ups and redirects and select Don’t allow sites to send pop-ups or use redirects.

Mozilla Firefox:

Click the menu (three lines) in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
Under Permissions, check Block pop-up windows.

Microsoft Edge:

Click the three-dot menu and select Settings > Cookies and site permissions.
Find Pop-ups and redirects and set it to Block.

Safari:

Open Safari and go to Preferences > Websites > Pop-up Windows.
Set all websites to Block or Block and Notify.

Pro Tip: If pop-ups persist, check for specific sites in the browser’s exceptions list and block them manually.

2. Install a Reliable Ad Blocker

Ad blockers are powerful tools that eliminate most online ads, including banners, video ads, and pop-ups. Popular ad blockers are easy to install and work across multiple browsers.

Best Ad Blockers for 2025

uBlock Origin: A lightweight, open-source ad blocker that’s highly customizable.
AdBlock Plus: A user-friendly option that blocks most ads while allowing non-intrusive ones (configurable).
AdGuard: A premium ad blocker with advanced features like malware protection and parental controls.

How to Install an Ad Blocker

Visit your browser’s extension store (e.g., Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons).
Search for your preferred ad blocker (e.g., uBlock Origin).
Click Add to Browser and follow the prompts to install.
Configure the ad blocker’s settings to suit your needs, such as enabling strict blocking or allowing ads on trusted sites.

Note: Some websites detect ad blockers and restrict access. You can whitelist trusted sites to bypass this issue.

3. Update Your Browser and Operating System

Outdated software can have vulnerabilities that allow intrusive ads or pop-ups to bypass security measures. Keeping your browser and operating system updated ensures you have the latest protections.

How to Update

Windows:

Go to Settings > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates and install any available updates.

macOS:

Open System Settings > General > Software Update.
Follow the prompts to install updates.

Browsers: Most browsers update automatically, but you can manually check for updates in the Settings or About section.

4. Scan for Malware and Adware

Pop-ups that appear outside your browser or persist despite blockers may indicate malware or adware on your PC. These malicious programs often generate unwanted ads and can compromise your security.

Steps to Remove Malware

Use Built-In Tools:

Windows Defender (Windows):

Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
Run a Full Scan and remove any detected threats.

Gatekeeper and XProtect (macOS): These run automatically but can’t remove all adware.

Install Anti-Malware Software:

Malwarebytes: A trusted tool for detecting and removing adware and malware.
AdwCleaner: A free tool specifically designed to remove adware and browser hijackers.

Run a scan with your chosen tool and follow the instructions to quarantine or delete threats.

Pro Tip: Avoid downloading software from untrusted sources, as they often bundle adware.

5. Adjust Your Browser’s Privacy Settings

Many ads rely on tracking cookies and scripts to target you. Adjusting your browser’s privacy settings can reduce ad exposure and protect your data.

Privacy Tips

Clear Cookies and Cache:

In your browser’s settings, find the Privacy or History section and clear browsing data regularly.

Enable Do Not Track:

In Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, go to Privacy Settings and enable the Do Not Track option (note: not all websites honor this).

Block Third-Party Cookies:

In browser settings, disable third-party cookies to limit ad tracking.

6. Be Cautious with Downloads and Extensions

Unwanted pop-ups often stem from shady browser extensions or software. Only download from reputable sources and review extensions carefully.

How to Stay Safe

Check Extension Reviews: Before installing, read user reviews and check the developer’s reputation.

Remove Suspicious Extensions:

In your browser, go to the Extensions or Add-ons menu.
Remove any extensions you don’t recognize or no longer need.

Download from Trusted Sources: Stick to official websites or app stores for software downloads.

7. Use a Secure Browser or VPN

Some browsers prioritize privacy and ad-blocking by default, such as Brave or Tor. Alternatively, a VPN with built-in ad-blocking (like NordVPN or Surfshark) can reduce ad exposure and enhance security.

Benefits of Secure Browsers

Brave: Automatically blocks ads and trackers while offering a fast browsing experience.
Tor: Prioritizes anonymity but may slow down browsing.

Benefits of VPNs

Blocks malicious ads and trackers.
Encrypts your connection for added security.
Bypasses region-based ad targeting.