Configuring your web browser to allow pop-up windows

Most web browsers include a feature to block pop-up windows. While this may eliminate unwanted or bothersome pop-up windows, the feature sometimes can impede the functionality of legitimate or useful websites.

Some popular Penn-affiliated websites requiring pop-ups include U@Penn and the Penn Online Directory.

Follow the instructions below to configure your web browser to allow pop-up windows for your selected websites.

• Apple Safari (macOS)
• Google Chrome .current (Windows/macOS)
• Mozilla Firefox.current (Windows/macOS)
• Microsoft Internet Explorer (Windows)
• Microsoft Edge (Windows 10 only)

Note: If you have installed third party applications to block pop-ups (examples include the Google, MSN, and Yahoo! toolbars), be sure to consult the vendor documentation to allow pop-up windows for desired websites.

Safari (macOS)

Safari for macOS has no per-website control over blocking pop-up windows. Pop-ups are either blocked, or they are not. To allow pop-ups:

1. From the Safari menu, choose Preferences. and click the Security tab.
2. Ensure the Block pop-up windows option is not checked. Unchecking this option will allow pop-ups.
3. To block pop-ups once again, check the Block pop-up windows checkbox.

Note: If you are concerned about allowing pop-ups globally for all websites that you browse, consider using another web browser that allows website exceptions such as Chrome or Firefox.

Chrome .current (Windows/macOS)

1. Open Chrome, then go to the web page that you want to allow pop-ups.
2. In Chrome’s URL window, highlight the entire web address of the current page, then choose the Copy command from the Edit menu or right-click and choose the Copy command.
3. Click the icon with three horizontal bars in the upper right side of the browser toolbar.
4. Click Settings.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the Settings section and click Show advanced settings. .
6. In the Privacy section, click Content settings. . The Content settings window appears.
7. Scroll to the Pop-ups section, and then ensure the Do not allow any site to show pop-ups radio button is selected.
8. Click Manage exceptions. .
9. In the Hostname pattern field, choose the Paste command from the Edit menu or right-click and choose the Paste command, and ensure the Behavior dropdown menu is set to Allow.

Notes: Pasting the web address of a page you wish to allow pop-ups is recommended, rather than typing the generic main web address. For example, you might visit www.example.com/requirepopup.html, but the page is actually hosted at popup.example.com/forms/popupform.html. In this example, you must allow popup.example.com, not www.example.com. Note also that entire websites must be allowed, not individual directories or pages, so in this example Chrome will automatically add the top level popup.example.com to its Allowed sites.

Click Done.

Close any remaining dialog boxes.

Firefox .current (Windows/macOS)

1. Open Firefox, then go to the web page that you want to allow pop-ups.
2. In Firefox’s URL window, highlight the entire web address of the current page, then choose the Copy command from the Edit menu or right-click and choose the Copy command.
3. Click the icon with three horizontal bars in the upper right side of the browser toolbar.
4. Select Options (Windows) or Preferences (macOS).
5. In the left sidebar, click on the Content icon to display the Content section.
6. In the Pop-ups section, ensure the Block pop-up windows checkbox is selected, then click the adjacent Exceptions... button.
7. In the Address of web site: field, choose the Paste command from the Edit menu or right-click and choose the Paste command, and then click Allow.

Notes: Pasting the web address of a page you wish to allow pop-ups is recommended, rather than typing the generic main web address. For example, you might visit www.example.com/requirepopup.html, but the page is actually hosted at popup.example.com/forms/popupform.html. In this example, you must allow popup.example.com, not www.example.com. Note also that entire websites must be allowed, not individual directories or pages, so in this example Firefox will automatically add the top level popup.example.com to its Allowed sites.

Click Save Changes.

Close any remaining dialog boxes.

Internet Explorer (Windows)

When a website attempts to launch a new pop-up window, you may see dialog boxes alerting you of pop-up windows that have been blocked. Follow the instructions below to allow pop-up windows on a per-website basis.

1. Open Internet Explorer, then go to the web page that you want to allow pop-ups.
2. In Internet Explorer’s Address field, highlight the entire web address of the current page, then right-click and choose the Copy command.
3. From the Tools menu (the gear icon on the far right), select Internet options. The Internet Options dialog box opens.
4. Click on the Privacy tab.
5. Under Pop-up Blocker ensure the Turn on Pop-up Blocker checkbox is checked, and then click Settings. The Pop-up Blocker Settings dialog box opens.
6. Right-click in the Address of website to allow: field, then choose the Paste command.

Notes: Pasting the web address of a page you wish to allow pop-ups is recommended, rather than typing the generic main web address. For example, you might visit www.example.com/requirepopup.html, but the page is actually hosted at popup.example.com/forms/popupform.html. In this example, you must allow popup.example.com, not www.example.com. Note also that entire websites must be allowed, not individual directories or pages, so in this example Internet Explorer will automatically add the top level popup.example.com to its Allowed sites.

For more information about pop-ups, see Learn more about Pop-up Blocker, located at the bottom of the dialog box.

Click Add.

Close any remaining dialog boxes.

Edge (Windows 10 only)

Microsoft Edge for Windows 10 has no per-website control over blocking pop-up windows. Pop-ups are either blocked, or they are not. To allow pop-ups:

1. Click the ellipsis icon (. ) in the upper right corner of your web browser, and then click Settings.
2. In the Advanced settings section, click View advanced settings.
3. In the Block pop-ups section, click the switch to Off. Pop-ups are now allowed.
4. To block pop-ups once again, click the switch to On.

Note: If you are concerned about allowing pop-ups globally for all websites that you browse, consider using another web browser that allows website exceptions such as Chrome or Firefox.

Allow or block Pop-Ups on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Internet Explorer

Pop-up ads are small – sometimes large – windows that open automatically on your screen, when you are browsing the web. They could be pop-ups or pop-unders. Pop-ups open in front of your active browser window whereas a Pop-under open under your browser, and it is only when you go on to close your browser, do you see the pop-under.

Nothing can be more irritating than getting pop-ups in your browser when you are surfing the internet. These days, however, most modern browsers have solid pop up blockers that help block pop-ups in Windows- and they are enabled by default. While there may some popups which are useful and important – some can be irritating advertisements, adware, phishing pop-ups, scareware pop-ups forcing you to buy fake optimizers or security software, Drive-by download pop-ups or pop-ups which install malware when you close them.

A pop up may open when you are surging a website, or it could get triggered when you open some link on a web page. In such cases two windows open, one your link and the other some pop-up ad. If pop-up ads open even when you are not surfing, it is quite possible that your Windows computer might be infected with spyware or have adware installed.

Manage Pop-Ups in browsers

Most security software today includes a robust anti-popup feature. It is usually enabled by default – but make sure you do have enabled it on your antivirus software. But many times, even with all our anti- popup features in place, you do see them slip through occasionally. If you desire additional protection, you may install a pop-up blocker browser extension, or consider installing a free pop up blocker software. They are pretty aggressive in blocking pop-ups and pop-unders.

Whenever a pop-up is blocked by your browser, you will see a notification to this effect. You will also be offered options to – Allow pop up or Block pop up – This time or Always. In this post, we will see how you can block irritating pop-ups in Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera web browsers in Windows 10/8/7.

Block Pop-Ups in Chrome

Launch Chrome, type the following in the address bar and hit Enter:

Here you can manage, allow, or block popups.

Block Pop-Ups in Firefox

Launch Firefox and navigate to the following setting using your address bar:

Here, you can:

• Allow Sites
• Remove Site
• Remove All Sites.

Block Pop-Ups in Opera

Launch Opera, type the following in the address bar and hit Enter:

Here you can manage, allow, or block popups.

Manage Popups in Microsoft Edge

Launch Edge (Chromium), type this in your address bar and hit Enter:

Here you can manage, allow, or block popups.

Block Pop-Ups in Internet Explorer

Open Internet Options > Privacy tab. Under Pop-up Blocker settings, you can check or uncheck the Turn on Pop-up Blocker checkbox to Turn On or Turn Off the popup blocker.

Clicking on its Settings button will allow you to add or remove websites where pop-ups should be allowed. You can also select the Blocking Level from High, Medium, or Low. The Medium setting is suitable for most users.

Just for your information, the Pop-up Blocker is different from SmartScreen, as it only limits most pop-ups on sites. SmartScreen on the other hand checks sites you visit and files you download for threats to your security.

Hope this helps you. In a few days, we will see how to avoid harmful pop-ups on your browser.

How to Allow Pop-Up Windows in Safari for Mac

Pop-up windows on the web may be annoying in general, but many financial, banking, and tax websites use pop-ups to display documents or additional information. Thus while many people think of web pop-ups as frustrating or bad, sometimes they’re a necessary part of using a particular website or accessing some material. But pop-up windows are disabled by default in Safari for the Mac.

If you’re a Safari user on the Mac and you need access to pop-up windows for whatever reason, there are several options available to enable pop-ups for websites viewed in Safari. We’l show you how to enable all pop-up windows for all websites, and two ways to enable pop-ups for specific websites in Safari.

How to Enable Pop-Ups for Specific Websites in Safari for Mac

If you know of a specific website that uses pop-up windows, you can enable pop-ups for that particular website rather easily through Safari preferences:

1. Open the Safari app if you have not done so already, then navigate to the web site you want to enable popups for
2. Pull down the “Safari” menu and choose “Preferences”
3. Select the “Websites” tab then click on “Pop-Up Windows” from the left side menu
4. Locate the website URL in the list, then click the dropdown selection menu next to that URL and choose “Allow”

Close Safari Preferences

This is a great approach because it allows you to block all general pop-up windows in Safari still, while allowing them on specific websites that you know require the use of pop-ups to function properly.

How to Quickly Enable Pop-Ups on a Website in Safari for Mac

If you’re on a given website and it attempts to open a pop-up, Safari will notify* you of it doing so, and then you can act on that to allow the pop-up window to become visible, here’s how:

1. From Safari, navigate to the web site you want to enable popups for
2. When a pop-up window is attempted to display, you’ll notice the URL bar changes to a message stating ‘Pop-up Window Blocked’, now click the little pop-up window icon to allow pop-up windows for the currently active website

* Note this particular feature requires the “Block & Notify” setting to be enabled in the “Pop-Up Windows” settings section of Safari Preferences.

How to Enable All Pop-Ups in Safari for Mac

If you want to enable all pop-up windows in Safari for Mac, here’s how to do that:

1. Open the Safari app if you have not done so already
2. Pull down the “Safari” menu and choose “Preferences”
3. Select the “Websites” tab then click on “Pop-Up Windows” from the left side menu
4. Look for the dropdown selection menu next to ‘When visiting other websites:’ and choose “Allow” to allow all pop-up windows in Safari from all websites

Close Safari Preferences

Enabling all pop-ups for all websites is generally not recommended since inevitably you will encounter some website that is going to misuse the feature (which is why they are disabled by default in many modern web browsers in the first place). But if you require this setting, it is available.

Note that sometimes sites will launch pop-ups as opening new windows but Safari opens them as new tabs instead of pop-ups or new windows, depending on how they are initiated from the site itself, and how Safari is configured.

Whichever approach you use to allow pop-up windows in Safari, you can always adjust the settings again later if needed.

Obviously we’re focusing on Safari for Mac here, but you can also enable or disable pop-up windows in Safari for iPhone and iPad too, so if you find yourself needing to use pop-ups in iOS Safari that’s just a matter of tweaking some settings as well.