How to stop endless series of alert pop-ups

Those alerts are almost certainly fake “security” notifications coming from the browser (site notifications or adware), not from real McAfee or Windows, which is why antivirus scans and uninstalling McAfee have not helped.

Use these steps to stop them:

1. Close any fake alert pages
   If a tab or window is showing a full‑screen “security alert”:
   • Press Alt + F4 repeatedly to close the browser window, or
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open Task Manager, select the browser (Firefox/Edge/Chrome) processes, and choose End task.
2. Clear browser cache and site data
   After closing the browser, reopen it and clear history, cookies, and cached files so the malicious page does not reload from history.
3. Remove malicious site notifications (Edge example)
   Many fake McAfee/Norton alerts are pushed as website notifications:
   • In Microsoft Edge, go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Notifications.
   • In the Allow list, remove or block any suspicious sites (for example, unknown domains or anything related to the fake alerts).
   • Optionally, disable the option that allows sites to ask to send notifications.
4. Remove unwanted extensions and apps
   Similar pop‑ups are often caused by unwanted browser add‑ons or bundled apps (for example, “Total Adblock”, “Wave browser”, or similar):
   • In the browser, open the extensions/add‑ons page and remove anything not explicitly installed or recognized.
   • In Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps and uninstall any suspicious software (adblockers, “security” tools, unknown browsers).
   • If an app is not listed but has its own folder under C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86), open that folder and run its Uninstall or Uninst.exe if present. Do not delete the folder manually if there is no uninstaller, as that can affect system stability.
5. Scan for adware/deceptive software
   • Run Windows Security (Windows Security Center) and perform a Full scan under Virus & threat protection.
   • If deceptive software is suspected, use trusted anti‑malware tools as described in Microsoft’s security guidance.
6. If the browser or PC appears locked again
   • Use Alt + F4, Ctrl + W, or Task Manager to close the browser, or as a last resort hold the power button to turn the PC off and back on.
   • Do not call any phone number shown in such alerts and do not allow remote access.

If the pop‑ups continue after removing suspicious notifications, extensions, and apps, repeat a full malware/adware scan and review installed programs again for anything recently added or unfamiliar.

References:

• Block pop-ups in Microsoft Edge
• Use a screen reader to block pop-ups in Microsoft Edge
• Unexplained Windows or software behavior may be caused by deceptive software
• Microsoft resources and guidance for removal of malware and viruses
• possible virus, computer locked - Microsoft Q&A
• Disabled computer - Microsoft Q&A
• How to stop Total add block from popping up in all my apps and banking - Microsoft Q&A
• How can I remove McAfee Norton Pop Ups on Windows 11? It is not showing up on Apps or Task Manager. - Microsoft Q&A
• How to stop pop ups in lower right of screen. They are done to look like McAfee alerts from geniusfun.co.za I have followed advice about stopping notifications and cookies but the pop ups keep coming back. - Microsoft Q&A