How to stop incessant false virus alerts that block the right-hand side of the screen?

Michel Goulven 25 Reputation points
2026-08-10T15:55:40.1766667+00:00

Incessant false virus alerts keep coming (3 at a time) and block the right-hand side of my screen.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Security and privacy
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AI answer

2026-08-10T15:55:56.42+00:00

These are commonly browser notification scams, not real Windows virus alerts. They often appear after a site was allowed to send notifications.

  1. In Microsoft Edge, open the notification permissions page: edge://settings/content/notifications
  2. In the Allow section, remove or block any site that is unfamiliar or suspicious.
  3. If preferred, turn off Ask before sending to stop all sites from requesting notification permission.
  4. Also check Edge pop-up permissions and clear any allowed sites: edge://settings/privacy/sitePermissions/allPermissions/popups
  5. Clear allowed notification sites here as well: edge://settings/privacy/sitePermissions/allPermissions/notifications

If the alerts are full-screen or include loud audio, Microsoft Edge scareware blocker can help. When it detects a scam, Edge exits full-screen mode, stops aggressive audio playback, and shows a warning so the page can be closed.

Important signs that confirm it is a scam:

  • Microsoft error and warning messages never include a phone number.
  • Microsoft does not make unsolicited support calls or send unsolicited messages to fix a computer.
  • Fake alerts often try to pressure users into calling a number, paying, or giving remote access.

If any information was already given to the scammer or remote access was allowed:

  1. Uninstall any app the scammer asked to install.
  2. Run a full scan with Microsoft Defender Antivirus and apply security updates.
  3. Change passwords.
  4. Contact the bank or card provider if payment information was shared.

If Windows Defender shows a real detection, use Show details to review it, then choose Remove or Quarantine unless the software is fully trusted. Allow should be used only for software that is trusted.

AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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  1. DaveM121 930.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-10T16:32:21.14+00:00

    Those virus alerts are generated by your web browser.

    Open whatever browser you use.

    Click the 3 dots at the top right of your browser and select Settings.

    In the search box, type notification.

    On the right side, choose each Notification setting available, one of them will be the setting for websites allowed to product notifications on your PC.

    Delete all websites allowed to produce notifications.

    That should stop the annoying notifications appearing on the right side of your Desktop.

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  2. Michel Goulven 25 Reputation points
    2026-08-11T09:21:09.7266667+00:00

    Thank you very much to everyone who contributed. Problem solved.

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