Block Pop-up Windows

Many legitimate advertisers on the Internet use windows that pop up in the middle of your screen to display a message. They might also open when you click a link or button on a web site, and they might open either over or under the window you wish to view. Some pop-ups are helpful. For example, if you click an image to see a larger version, it might open in a pop-up window. Unfortunately, some pop-up windows can contain inappropriate content or can be a way for you to accidentally download dangerous software (called spyware or adware) onto your computer.

This guide will focus on Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 Internet Explorer but may apply to alternative popup blocker software you may have installed.

Using Pop-up Blocker

When you install SP2, Pop-up Blocker is turned on in Internet Explorer and set to the medium setting, which means it will block most automatic pop-ups. The default settings for the pop-up blocker allow you to see pop-ups that are opened when you click a link or button on a Web site. Pop-up Blocker will also play a sound and show the Information Bar when a pop-up is blocked. You can adjust these settings so that Pop-up Blocker works the way you want it to.

To change Pop-up Blocker settings

1.	Open Internet Explorer.
2.	On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings.

Internet Explorer Tools menu

If you want to see pop-up windows from a specific Web site, type the address (or URL) of the site in the Address of Web site to allow box, and then click Add.

Pop-up Blocker Settings window

Tip To temporarily allow a site to display pop-ups, click the Information Bar when it notifies you that a pop-up has been blocked. Then click Temporarily Allow Pop-ups.

To block pop-ups even if they are launched when you click a link or button on a Web site

1.	Open Internet Explorer.
2.	On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3.	Select the High setting in the box near the bottom of the dialog box.

Note If you want to see pop-ups that are blocked when you have this setting turned on, hold down the CTRL key while the window opens.

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