Block annoying pop-ups in Windows 10

If you are bothered by pop-ups in Windows 10, it depends greatly on what type of pop-ups.

Pop-ups can be shown by the browser, recently installed apps, malware or by features in Windows 10 itself.

If pop-ups are shown by the browser, this can often be recognized by pop-ups that are shown at the bottom right near the time and date. These types of pop-ups generally promote online services, unknown websites, etc. This is usually accompanied by an icon that is recognizable as a browser. For example, a Google Chrome icon.

Applications running in Windows 10 may display pop-ups to alert the user to notifications, such as new emails, instant messages, appointments, etc. These are recently installed apps that have been given permission to send notifications. This type of notifications is also called pop-ups, but they are normal Windows 10 notifications that usually do no harm.

Finally, there are pop-ups that are sent by the operating system itself. Windows 10 may display pop-ups to notify the user of important system updates, security alerts, low battery warnings, etc. The most annoying pop-ups are often ones that promote Microsoft services. Consider pop-ups that offer a discount for Azure cloud or Office 365.

In this guide, we will go over all the settings to disable pop-ups in Windows 10.

Block annoying pop-ups in Windows 10

Block browser pop-ups

We're going to start by checking for pop-ups sent via the browser. For convenience, we call these “pop-ups”, but in reality they are notifications.

Depending on which one default browser you are using, follow the steps below.

Google Chrome

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. In the address bar type: chrome://settings/content/notifications/
3. To block pop-ups, enable the “Do not allow sites to send notifications” option.

Microsoft Edge

To disable notifications, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. In the address bar type: edge://settings/content/notifications/
3. Disable the “Always ask before sending data (recommended)” option.

To disable pop-ups, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. In the address bar type: edge://settings/content/popups/
3. Enable the “Block (recommended)” option.

Block application pop-ups

If you receive pop-ups from third-party apps, you can also block this type. You can do this via the Windows settings.

1. Open the Windows settings.
2. Click on “System”.
3. Click on “Notifications and actions”.
4. Disable the “Receive notifications from apps and other senders” option.

Block Windows 10 system pop-ups

You can block various pop-ups sent by Windows 10. These are Start menu pop-ups, Windows explorer pop-ups, lock screen pop-ups and Windows update popups. We'll visit them all. This way you can choose whether or not you want to show this type of system pop-up.

Start menu popups

1. Open the Windows settings.
2. Click on “personal settings”.
3. Click on “Start Menu”.
4. To avoid suggestions such as pop-ups in the Start menu To disable it, disable the “Occasionally show suggestions in Start” option.

Disable Windows Explorer pop-ups

Sync provider notifications resemble pop-ups. They are notifications about the sync status of your Microsoft account. When you enable this option, you will receive notifications about changes made to your Microsoft account, such as new emails, calendar events, contacts, and other information associated with your account. Disabling sync provider will stop these types of notifications.

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Click on “image” in the ribbon.
3. Click on “Options”.
4. In the folder options, click on the “View” tab.
5. Disable the “Show notifications from sync provider” option.

Disable lock screen pop-ups

Advertising is also shown on the lock screen. These are facts, tips and more about Windows or Cortana. If you have this type If you do not want to receive advertising, you can disable it.

1. Open the Windows settings.
2. Click on “personal settings”.
3. Click on “Lock Screen”.
4. Uncheck the option “Show fun facts, tips, and more about Windows and Cortana on your lock screen.”

Disable Windows update pop-ups

The last type of pop-ups that bother many people are the Windows update pop-ups. These are pop-ups that new updates are available, but also pop-ups that your computer needs to be restarted to complete the updates. You can disable these types of pop-ups.

1. Open the Windows settings.
2. Click on “Update & Security”.
3. Click on “Windows update”.
4. Click on “Advanced options”.
5. Disable the “Notifications of updates” option.

You have now checked all the settings that can show pop-ups from Windows 10. If you are still experiencing pop-ups that you have no idea where they come from, please ask your question via the comment field below.

However, I recommend that you check your computer before asking a question check for malware with Malwarebytes. This way you can be sure that the pop-ups are not caused by any malware on your computer.

I hope this helped you. Thank you for reading!