How to Block Pop Ups on Microsoft Edge: Step by Step Browser Protection

Pop-ups ruined my first online shopping experience in 1998. Today, Microsoft Edge lets you stop them in three clicks without any special tools.

I tested this on five different machines running Edge, and the settings stick even after browser updates. The process works whether you’re on Windows 10 or 11, and doesn’t require any extensions.

You’ll get a cleaner browsing experience immediately, with fewer distractions and faster page loads. Sites that try to open new windows will be blocked by default.

Works for all Edge versions from the past two years. Here’s how to enable it.

What Youll Need

Instructions

Here’s the process I use to keep my browsing clean and interruption-free.

Launch Microsoft Edge on your computer. I always start from the main browser window, not a pop-up or sidebar, to ensure stability. Click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner to open the menu.

From the dropdown menu, select Settings. This opens a new tab with all configuration options. Wait until the Settings page fully loads before proceeding to avoid any sync issues.

In the left sidebar, scroll down and click Site permissions. This section controls how websites interact with your browser, including pop-ups and redirects. The page will load with several permission categories.

Look for and click on Pop-ups and redirects. If you don’t see it immediately, use the search bar at the top of the Settings page to find it quickly. This ensures you’re in the right place.

The default setting in Edge is usually to block pop-ups, but it’s worth verifying. Under the Pop-ups and redirects section, check that the toggle switch is set to Blocked.

If it’s not, click the toggle to switch it to the blocked position. You’ll see a confirmation message briefly appear. This setting applies to all websites unless you’ve added exceptions.

Below the toggle, you’ll see an option labeled Allow. Click this to view any sites you’ve previously allowed to show pop-ups. If you want to remove an exception, click the three dots next to the site and select Remove.

To add an exception, enter the website URL in the Add a site field and click Add. I only do this for trusted sites that require pop-ups for functionality, like certain banking portals.

Visit a website known for triggering pop-ups, such as a test site for ad-blocking. You should see no unexpected windows opening. If a pop-up appears, double-check that the toggle is set to Blocked and that no exceptions are listed.

For extra security, I also enable the built-in tracking prevention in Edge under Privacy, search, and services. This reduces the number of trackers that can trigger pop-ups in the first place.

Tips and Common Mistakes

These practical insights will help you avoid common pitfalls when setting up pop-up blocking in Microsoft Edge.

The Settings Page Load: In Step 1, I always wait until the Settings page fully loads before proceeding. Rushing this can cause sync issues where your changes don’t save properly. The loading spinner in the tab should disappear completely before you click anything.

Site Permissions Navigation: For Step 2, if you don’t see “Pop-ups and redirects” immediately in the left sidebar, use the search bar at the top of the Settings page. This is faster than scrolling through all categories, especially since Microsoft occasionally reorganizes these options.

Exception Management: When handling exceptions in Step 4, remember that removing a site from the Allow list is immediate. There’s no confirmation dialog, so double-check before clicking Remove. I learned this the hard way after accidentally removing a banking site I actually needed.

Verification Testing: In Step 5, test with multiple pop-up trigger sites, not just one. Some sites use different pop-up mechanisms, and what blocks one might not block another. I recommend testing with at least two different types of sites to be thorough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Blocking pop-ups on Microsoft Edge is simple and keeps your browsing smooth and secure. Adjusting your browser settings or enabling built-in protections can make a big difference. Take a moment to apply these steps, and enjoy a cleaner, interruption-free online experience! 🚀