Why are ads appearing on Internet Explorer?
Before we dive into the solution, it’s important to understand why you are seeing ads in the first place. Internet Explorer is a free web browser and relies on advertising to generate revenue. These ads are displayed by websites or through third-party extensions. Fortunately, there are ways to eliminate them.
Method 1: Adjust Internet Explorer settings
The first method we will discuss is tweaking the settings within Internet Explorer. Follow these steps to remove ads:
- Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon in the top-right corner of the window.
- Select “Internet options” from the drop-down menu. This will open a new window.
- In the new window, navigate to the “Security” tab.
- Click on the “Restricted sites” icon and then click the “Sites” button.
- A “Restricted sites” window will appear. Here, enter the website URLs that display ads and click “Add”. This will add them to the restricted sites list.
- Click “Close” to exit this window and then “OK” on the Internet Options window.
- Restart Internet Explorer for the changes to take effect.
This method should block most ads from appearing on websites that you visit frequently.
Method 2: Install an ad-blocker extension
If Method 1 did not completely remove the ads, you can further enhance your browsing experience by installing an ad-blocker extension. Here’s how:
- Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon.
- Select “Manage add-ons” from the drop-down menu.
- A new window will open. On the left-hand side, click on “Toolbars and Extensions”.
- In the central pane, locate “Get add-ons” and click on it.
- In the new window, you can search for an ad-blocker extension of your choice. Popular options include Adblock Plus and uBlock Origin.
- Click on the chosen ad-blocker and then click “Add” or “Install” to add it to Internet Explorer.
- Once the installation is complete, close and reopen Internet Explorer.
The ad-blocker extension will now take care of blocking ads on websites, giving you a seamless browsing experience.
Method 3: Keep your browser and security software up-to-date
It’s important to regularly update your Internet Explorer browser and security software to ensure they are equipped with the latest defenses against ads and other potential threats. Here’s how:
- Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon.
- Select “Windows Update” from the drop-down menu. This will open the Windows Update settings.
- Click on “Check for updates” and wait for the process to complete.
- If any updates are available, click “Install updates” to download and install them.
Additionally, keep your security software up-to-date by regularly running scans and updating the definitions. This will help in detecting and removing any malicious software that may be responsible for displaying unwanted ads.
By following the methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to effectively remove ads from Internet Explorer. Remember, adjusting the browser settings, installing an ad-blocker extension, and keeping your software up-to-date are fundamental steps toward a cleaner browsing experience. Enjoy your ad-free Internet Explorer sessions!