How to Identify Adware and Notification Spam on Windows
Pop-ups can come from three places. Find which one before you try to fix it.
5 min read · Beginner friendly
The three sources of pop-up ads
On a healthy Windows PC, pop-ups come from one of three places:
- Installed adware: a Windows program (often a 'free' download) that injects ads.
- Browser notifications: a website tricked you into clicking 'Allow' on its notification prompt and is now sending you spam through Windows Action Centre.
- Windows tips and Microsoft promos: Microsoft's own first-party suggestions in the Start menu and lock screen, which look spammy but are not malware.
Step 1: Check browser notifications first
Chrome: Settings → Privacy and security → Site Settings → Notifications. Block any site you do not want.
Edge: Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Notifications.
Firefox: Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Notifications → Settings.
If pop-ups stop, the issue was browser notifications, not malware.
If you do not need any site to send notifications, set the global toggle to 'Don't allow sites to send notifications'.
Step 2: Check recently installed apps
Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps and sort by Date installed.
Look for anything you did not knowingly install in the last few weeks. Common adware names: 'Driver Updater', 'PC Booster', 'Wave Browser', 'OneSafe PC Cleaner', 'My WebSearch', 'Coupon Helper', 'WeatherBug', 'PDF Maker Pro'.
Step 3: Check startup programs and scheduled tasks
Open Task Manager → Startup apps. Disable anything unfamiliar — you can always re-enable it later.
Open Task Scheduler. Look in Task Scheduler Library for tasks that run at logon or every few minutes pointing at unfamiliar programs.
Step 4: Turn off Microsoft's own promo notifications
Settings → System → Notifications. Scroll down and turn off Show me suggested content in the Settings app, Get tips and suggestions when using Windows and notifications from Tips and Suggested.
Settings → Personalization → Start: turn off Show recommendations for tips, app promotions and more.