Ads Suddenly Open in Edge

Hello,

This usually happens when a website was accidentally allowed to send notifications in Edge. These notifications can appear as ads over the browser window.

You can turn them off here:

Edge → Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Notifications

Check the list and remove any unknown or unwanted sites.

After removing those sites, the pop‑up ads should stop.

Edge’s built-in pop-up blocker may be off, or the ads are coming from in-page advertising and scam pop-ups. Use these steps to reduce or stop them:

1. Verify Edge pop-up blocker
   1. Select Settings and more (… in the top-right of Edge).
   2. Select Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
   3. Select Site permissions > All permissions.
   4. Select Pop-ups and redirects and make sure Blocked (recommended) is turned on.
2. Distinguish pop-ups vs. notifications
   • Pop-ups: open as new windows/tabs or overlays in the page.
   • Website notifications: appear in the lower-right corner and in the Windows notification center. If the ads are notifications, turn them off:
   1. In Edge, go to Settings and more.
   2. Select Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All sites.
   3. Select the site that is sending notifications, find Notifications, and set it to Block. Or, while on the site:
   4. Select View site information (icon to the left of the address bar).
   5. Under Permissions for this site > Notifications, choose Block.
3. Handle scam or fake security pop-ups
   • If a full-screen “security” or “support” message appears and locks the page, close Edge via Ctrl+Shift+Esc → Task Manager → end the browser process.
   • Do not call any phone numbers or install anything from those pop-ups.
4. Add extra protection with extensions
   • Install a reputable ad blocker from the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store to block intrusive or malicious ads.
   • Optionally add privacy extensions (tracker/script blockers) for additional control.
5. Keep Edge updated
   • Go to Settings and more → About Microsoft Edge and ensure automatic updates are enabled so the latest security fixes are applied.

If ads still appear as part of the page content (not separate pop-up windows), they may be normal web ads that the built-in pop-up blocker cannot block; in that case, rely on ad-blocking extensions for additional filtering.

References:

• Block pop-ups in Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Edge app help
• Securely browse the web in Microsoft Edge
• Manage website notifications in Microsoft Edge
• Windows defender scam - Microsoft Q&A
• possible virus, computer locked - Microsoft Q&A