How do I get rid of pop up virus scams?

Harold Michaelis 0 Reputation points
2026-08-21T13:21:16.1+00:00

I keep receiving messages that I have viruses. They occur as pop ups.

Microsoft Edge | Other | Windows 11
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  1. David-M 123.5K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-08-21T13:58:18.8466667+00:00

    Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

    Can you identify which URL these pop-ups are coming from? That information usually appears on the pop-up itself.

    Use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool. If you prefer, share a screenshot of the pop-up, and I'll help you identify it.

    Knowing the source URL makes this easier. Fake virus alerts are usually tied to notification permissions and cookies from a specific site. Once I know which site it is, I can guide you on how to block and clear data for only that domain, saving you from clearing all browsing data and getting logged out of your accounts.

    But if you prefer, you can simply clear your browser's entire cache and cookies. That should help stop these pop-ups immediately.

    Looking forward to your reply.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-08-21T13:21:30.8433333+00:00

    These pop-ups are commonly tech support scams, not real Microsoft virus alerts. Real Microsoft error and warning messages do not include a phone number.

    1. Do not click the pop-up and do not call any number shown.
    2. If the browser is stuck on the scam page, close it immediately. If needed, press Alt+F4 to close the browser window.
    3. In Microsoft Edge, make sure it is up to date:
      • Open Settings and more with Alt+F
      • Go to Settings
      • Select About Microsoft Edge
      • If an update is available, let it install and restart Edge
    4. Turn off Edge extensions temporarily to check whether one is causing the pop-ups:
      • Open Settings and more with Alt+F
      • Open Extensions
      • Select Manage extensions
      • Turn extensions off, then test again
      • Re-enable them one at a time to find the problem extension
    5. Run a full malware scan with Windows Security to remove any malware.
    6. Apply Windows security updates as soon as they are available.
    7. Keep using Microsoft Edge with its built-in protections. Edge blocks known support scam sites using Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, and its pop-up blocker is on by default.
    8. If a scammer was given access to the device or information, uninstall any app they asked to install, consider resetting the device, and change passwords.

    Warning: resetting the device is a more serious recovery step and can be time-consuming.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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