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

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.

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.

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.

  • Open Internet Explorer and select Tools (the gear icon located in the upper-right corner of the browser) and then select Internet options.
  • In the Internet Options dialog box, go to the Privacy tab.
  • 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.
  • Select Apply to make the changes.

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.

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

In the Internet Options dialog box, go to the Privacy tab.

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.

Select Apply to make the changes.

  • Open Internet Explorer and select Tools > Internet Options > Privacy.
  • In the Internet Options dialog box, select the Turn on Pop-up Blocker check box.
  • Select Settings.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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

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

Select Settings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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