stop McAfee popup ads

If McAfee is not actually installed, those popups are usually browser notifications or unwanted software rather than the McAfee app itself.

Try these steps in order:

1. Remove suspicious notification permissions in Microsoft Edge
   • Open Edge.
   • Go to Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All sites.
   • Select any site that looks unfamiliar.
   • Find Notifications and change it to Block.
   • A second method is to visit the site, select View site information to the left of the address bar, then under Permissions for this site > Notifications, choose Block.
2. Make sure Edge pop-up blocking is on
   • In Edge, open Settings.
   • Go to Cookies and site permissions > Pop-ups and redirects.
   • Turn on Block (recommended).
3. Check for suspicious browser extensions
   • In Edge, select the Extensions icon, then Manage Extensions.
   • Disable or remove anything unfamiliar, especially ad-blocking, antivirus, search, or browser-modifying extensions.
   • Some extensions can change browser settings or trigger fake virus alerts.
4. Remove unwanted apps from Windows
   • Open Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
   • Sort by install date and uninstall recent apps that were not intentionally installed.
   • This is useful when the popups are caused by unwanted software bundled with another download.
5. Turn on potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security
   • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings.
   • Turn on potentially unwanted app blocking.
   • Enable both Block apps and Block downloads.
6. Take action on anything Windows Security already detected
   • If Windows Security shows a potentially unwanted app notification, open Virus & threat protection.
   • Select the detected item, choose an action, and then select Start actions.
   • Until an action is chosen, the item may stay blocked but not removed.
7. If the device may already be infected
   • Submit suspicious files for analysis if needed.
   • If removal fails, use the malware troubleshooting guidance from Microsoft support.

If Chrome settings are blocked by a false “managed account” message, using Edge to remove notification permissions and checking Windows for unwanted apps is the most direct workaround supported here.

• Manage website notifications in Microsoft Edge
• Use a screen reader to block pop-ups in Microsoft Edge
• Microsoft Edge Extensions: Frequently Asked Questions
• Protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications
• Unwanted software
• Unwanted software