How to Identify Adware and Notification Spam on Windows

    Trace where pop-up ads, desktop notifications and Start-menu spam are actually coming from — adware, browser notifications, or a rogue app.

    JDCS
    By Jordan Dickson · Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers

    Updated June 2026 · 2 min read

    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.

    Tip

    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.
    Tags:
    Malware & Viruses
    Windows Security
    Browser Security

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    JD

    Written by

    Jordan Dickson

    Founder, CyberSecurityGuides

    Founder of CyberSecurityGuides, writing practical, jargon-free guides that help everyday people recover from and protect against online attacks.

    Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers

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