How to get ride of pop ups

Identify the sender shown on the McAfee alert first; if it is Edge, Chrome, or McAfee rather than Microsoft Teams, remove or block that sender instead of changing Teams notifications.

1. Identify where the alert originates

When the next alert appears, note the app or website name displayed on it. You can also open Windows Notification Center:

• Windows 11: Press Windows key + N, or select the clock/notification bell.
• Windows 10: Select the Action Center/notification icon on the taskbar.

Windows shows notifications grouped under their sending app. On Windows 11, you can select the … menu beside that sender and choose Turn off all notifications, or use Start > Settings > System > Notifications ^1^.

Do not turn off Teams notifications unless Microsoft Teams is actually named as the sender; doing so would also hide legitimate calls and chat alerts.

2. Apply the matching permanent fix

If the sender is Microsoft Edge or a website

These are usually website notifications, not Teams pop-ups.

1. Open Edge.
2. Select … > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All sites.
3. Open any unfamiliar site that is allowed to notify you.
4. Set Notifications to Block.
5. Repeat for every site you do not recognize ^2^.

Also check Edge > Extensions and remove extensions you do not recognize. Simply enabling Edge’s pop-up blocker may not stop these alerts because website notifications and pop-up windows are different mechanisms ^3^.

If the sender is Google Chrome

1. Open Chrome > ⋮ > Settings.
2. Go to Privacy and security > Site settings > Notifications.
3. Under sites allowed to send notifications, select ⋮ > Remove or Block beside unfamiliar sites.
4. Check Chrome extensions and remove anything you did not install or no longer use ^4^.

If McAfee is installed

Search for it here:

• Windows 11: Settings > Apps > Installed apps
• Windows 10: Settings > Apps > Apps & features

Then choose one option:

• Keep McAfee: Open McAfee and go to the gear icon > General Settings or Notifications. Disable settings such as Promotional offers, Product tips, or Show notifications. Labels can vary by McAfee version.
• Remove McAfee: Select McAfee in the Windows apps list and choose Uninstall, then complete the on-screen prompts ^4^.

After uninstalling third-party antivirus software, Microsoft Defender Antivirus should return to active mode automatically ^5^.

3. If McAfee is not installed or the alerts continue

Treat the alerts as possible unwanted software rather than genuine McAfee warnings. Do not click Scan, Renew, or telephone numbers shown in the pop-up.

1. Open Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings.
2. Turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking, including Block apps and Block downloads where available.
3. If Windows detects an item, open the detection, select Remove or another available cleanup action, and choose Start actions. Detection alone does not remove it ^6^.
4. Open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options.
5. Run a Full scan.
6. If the pop-ups remain, save open work and run Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan). This restarts the computer and scans before Windows fully loads ^7^.

References

1. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/experience/notifications-and-do-not-disturb-in-windows#configure-notifications)
2. Manage website notifications in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Support
3. Block pop-ups in Microsoft Edge | Microsoft Support
4. macafee ads pop up - Microsoft Q&A
5. Scan an item with Windows Security | Microsoft Support
6. Protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications | Microsoft Support
7. Virus and Threat Protection in the Windows Security App | Microsoft Support