How to configure the Pop-up Blocker on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2

This article discusses how to configure the Pop-up Blocker on a computer that is running Windows XP Service Pack 2. The Pop-up Blocker is a new feature in Internet Explorer. This feature blocks most unwanted pop-up windows from appearing. By default, the Pop-up Blocker is turned on. When the Pop-up Blocker is turned on, the automatic and background pop-up windows are blocked, but the pop-up windows that are opened by a user will still open in the usual manner.

How to turn on the Pop-up Blocker

Note By default, the Pop-up Blocker is turned on. You may only have to turn it on if it is turned off.

The Pop-up Blocker may be turned on in the following ways:

• When you are prompted.
• On the Tools menu.
• From Internet Options.

When you are prompted

You can turn on the Pop-up Blocker when you are prompted to do this before the first pop-up window appears.

On the Tools menu

To configure the Pop-up Blocker on the Tools menu, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Turn On Pop-up Blocker to turn on the Pop-up Blocker, or click Turn Off Pop-up Blocker to turn off the Pop-up Blocker.

From Internet Options

To configure the Pop-up Blocker from Internet Options, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Click the Privacy tab, and then select the Block pop-ups check box to turn on the Pop-up Blocker, or clear the Block pop-ups check box to turn off the Pop-up Blocker.
4. Click Apply, and then click OK.

How to configure Pop-up Blocker settings

The following Pop-up Blocker settings can be configured:

• Allow Web sites list.
• Block all pop-up windows.
• Override key.
• Configure sound.

Allow Web sites list

You can allow pop-up windows to open in a Web site by adding the Web site to the Allowed sites list. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3. In the Address of Web site to allow box, type the address of the Web site, and then click Add.
4. Click Close.

Block all pop-up windows

To block all pop-up windows, including the pop-up windows that are opened by a user, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3. In the Filter Level list, select High: Block all pop-ups [Ctrl to override], and then click Close.

Override key

To open a pop-up window yourself, even though you have set the filter level to High: Block all pop-ups [Ctrl to override], keep the CTRL key pressed, and then open the pop-up window.

Configure sound

To play a sound when a pop-up window is blocked, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, point to Pop-up Blocker, and then click Pop-up Blocker Settings.
3. Select the Play a sound when a pop-up is blocked check box, and then click Close.

How to configure the Pop-up Blocker for zones that are considered safe.

Because the Trusted sites and Local intranet Web content zones are considered safe, they never have their pop-up windows blocked. To configure the Pop-up Blocker for these zones, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, and then click Internet Explorer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
3. Click the Security tab, and in the Select a Web content zone to specify its security settings box, click Local intranet.
4. Click Custom Level, and under Use Pop-up Blocker click Enable to turn on the Pop-up Blocker, or click Disable to turn off the Pop-up Blocker.
5. Click OK two times.
6. Repeat steps 1 through 2.
7. Click the Security tab, and in the Select a Web content zone to specify its security settings. box, click Trusted sites.
8. Click Custom Level, and under Use Pop-up Blocker click Enable to turn on the Pop-up Blocker, or click Disable to turn off the Pop-up Blocker.
9. Click OK two times.

For more information about the Internet Explorer Information Bar in Windows XP SP2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to configure the Pop-up Blocker by using registry key

To configure the full Pop-up Blocker

1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
2. Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\FEATURE_WEBOC_POPUPMANAGEMENT
3. Double-click Iexplore.exe
4. To turn off the full Pop-up Blocker, in the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK. Or to turn on the full Pop-up Blocker, in the Value data box, type 1, and then click OK.

To configure Pop-up Blocker per zone

Each number under either of the following registry subkeys represents the different zone:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones

For 1809 under each zone, a data value of 3 means that Pop-up Blocker is disabled. A data value of 0 means Pop-up Blocker is enabled.

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

How to configure the Pop-up Blocker by using Group Policy

To configure the full Pop-up Blocker

1. Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
2. Expand User Configuration, expand Administrative Templates, expand Windows Components, and then expand Internet Explorer.
3. Set Turn off popup management according to your desired settings. You have to update policies or restart the computer to apply changes.

To configure Pop-up Blocker per zone

1. Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
2. Expand User Configuration, expand Administrative Template, expand Windows Component, expand Internet Explorer, expand Internet Control Panel, expand Security Page, and then select a desired zone.
3. Set User Pop-up Blocker according to your desired settings. You have to update policies or restart the computer to apply changes.

For more information, click the following Microsoft Web site: