How to Use the Pop-Up Blocker in Internet Explorer 11

Enable or disable the feature, or adjust its settings

What to Know

  • Disable/enable: Select Tools > Internet options > Privacy > Pop-up Blocker > toggle Turn on Pop-up Blocker.
  • Adjust in IE11: Select Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Internet Options > Turn on Pop-up Blocker.
  • Set exemption: Select Settings > Pop-up Blocker Settings > Address of website to allow > enter website > Add.

This article explains how to use the pop-up blocker feature in Internet Explorer 11 on a Windows PC.

Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer and recommends that you update to the newer Edge browser. Head to their site to download the newest version.

A laptop displaying no pop-up ads on the screen.
ayushprince1996 / Pixabay

Disable or Enable the Pop-Up Blocker

The IE11 pop-up blocker is enabled by default. It's easy to disable or re-enable the feature.

  1. Open Internet Explorer and select Tools (the gear icon located in the upper-right corner of the browser) and then select Internet options.

    Internet Explorer settings menu with Internet Options highlighted
  2. In the Internet Options dialog box, go to the Privacy tab.

    The Privacy tab in IE settings
  3. In the Pop-up Blocker section, select the Turn on Pop-up Blocker check box to block pop-up ads. Clear the check box to disable the pop-up blocker.

    The IE11 pop-up blocker is enabled by default.

    The Pop-Up Blocker settings in Internet Explorer
  4. Select Apply to make the changes.

    The Apply button

How to Adjust the IE11 Pop-Up Blocker Settings

Here's how to view and modify the behavior of the IE pop-up blocker, including how to allow pop-ups on certain sites, modify how you're notified when the browser blocks a pop-up, and how to set the pop-up blocker's restriction level.

  1. Open Internet Explorer and select Tools > Internet Options > Privacy.

  2. In the Internet Options dialog box, select the Turn on Pop-up Blocker check box.

    Viewing the Privacy tab in Internet Explorer 11.
  3. Select Settings.

    The Settings button
  4. In the IE11 Pop-up Blocker Settings dialog box, go to the Address of website to allow field and enter the address of a website from which you want to allow pop-up windows. Select Add to add the website to the safelist.

    The safelist address field and Add button
  5. Under Notifications and blocking level, clear the Play a sound when a pop-up is blocked check box if you don't want to hear the default audio chime. This chime announces a blocked pop-up window.

    This feature is enabled by default.

    The Play a sound option in pop-up settings
  6. Clear the Show Notification bar when a pop-up is blocked check box if you don't want to see an alert that a pop-up window was blocked, along with an option to allow the pop-up.

    This feature is enabled by default.

    The Show Notification setting in pop-up settings
  7. Under Blocking Level, select the drop-down arrow and choose High to block all pop-up windows from all websites, with the option to override this restriction at any time by pressing CTRL+ALT. ​Choose Medium to block all pop-up windows except those located in your local intranet or Trusted Sites content zones. ​Choose Low to block all pop-up windows, except those found on websites deemed to be secure.

    Medium is the default setting.

    The Blocking Level options in IE
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