How to Stop Blocking Pop-Ups in Internet Explorer (and Edge)

Some older websites, especially bank portals, school systems, government forms, and business apps, open important windows as pop-ups, and a pop-up blocker can stop them from working. Internet Explorer had its own pop-up blocker, but Internet Explorer 11 was retired in June 2022, and on Windows 10 and 11 it now opens Microsoft Edge instead. This guide shows how to allow pop-ups in Edge (including sites that need Internet Explorer mode), and in Internet Explorer 11 on older systems where it still runs.

Quick Answer

Microsoft Edge: Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Pop-ups and redirects, then either turn off Block or, better, click Add next to Allow and enter the site. Internet Explorer 11: Click the gear icon > Internet options > Privacy, click Settings next to Pop-up Blocker, add the site’s address, and click Add.

Where Did Internet Explorer Go?

Microsoft ended support for the Internet Explorer 11 desktop app on most versions of Windows 10 on June 15, 2022, and later disabled it permanently. Opening IE now launches Edge. Windows 11 never included IE. Sites that still require Internet Explorer can run in Internet Explorer mode inside Edge.

Allow Pop-Ups in Microsoft Edge

Allow pop-ups for one site (recommended)

1. Open Edge, click the three dots (…), and choose Settings.
2. Select Cookies and site permissions (on some versions, Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions).
3. Click Pop-ups and redirects.
4. Next to Allow, click Add, type the site address (for example, https://portal.example.com), and click Add.

Allow from the address bar

When Edge blocks a pop-up, a small blocked-pop-up icon appears at the right of the address bar. Click it, choose Always allow pop-ups and redirects from the site, and click Done. Then reload the page.

Turn off the pop-up blocker completely

On the Pop-ups and redirects page, turn off Block (recommended). This allows pop-ups everywhere, including ads and scam windows, so it’s best to use the Allow list instead.

Sites That Need Internet Explorer Mode

1. In Edge, go to Settings > Default browser.
2. Set Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode to Allow, and restart Edge.
3. Open the site, click the three dots, and choose Reload in Internet Explorer mode. You can also add the page under Internet Explorer mode pages so it always opens that way (entries expire after a set period).

If pop-ups are still blocked in IE mode, the older Internet Explorer pop-up settings may apply to that page. Open Control Panel > Internet Options > Privacy and add the site to the Pop-up Blocker exceptions as described below. Work computers may manage these settings centrally, so check with IT if you can’t change them.

Allow Pop-Ups in Internet Explorer 11 (Older Systems)

On computers where IE11 still runs (for example, some older Windows versions or Windows Server):

1. Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon (Tools) in the top-right, or press Alt + X.
2. Choose Internet options.
3. Open the Privacy tab.
4. To allow specific sites: click Settings under Pop-up Blocker, type the site address in Address of website to allow, click Add, and click Close.
5. To turn off the blocker entirely: uncheck Turn on Pop-up Blocker.
6. Click OK.

You can also hold Ctrl + Alt while clicking a link to allow one pop-up, or click Options for this site > Always allow in the yellow notification bar at the bottom.

Using an unsupported browser is risky because it no longer gets security fixes. Use it only for the specific site that needs it.

Still Not Working?

• Extensions: Ad blockers and security extensions have their own pop-up blocking. Pause them for the site.
• Security software: Some antivirus suites block pop-ups. Check their web protection settings.
• Managed PCs: Your organization may enforce pop-up settings by policy (“Managed by your organization”).
• Clear the cache: Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete, clear cached files, and reload the site.

Summary

1. Internet Explorer is retired; use Microsoft Edge.
2. In Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Pop-ups and redirects > Allow > Add.
3. Use Internet Explorer mode for sites that require IE.
4. On old systems with IE11: Internet options > Privacy > Pop-up Blocker Settings.