Windows 10 users have long been plagued by the persistent and often intrusive “Windows 10 PC Repair” popup ads. These deceptive messages try to trick users into downloading potentially harmful software by claiming their system is infected or in need of repair. Fortunately, there are several effective methods to disable and prevent these annoying popups from appearing on your computer.
Disable Windows Update Service
One of the most reliable ways to stop the “Windows 10 PC Repair” popups is to disable the Windows Update service. This service is often responsible for triggering these unwanted ads, so disabling it can provide a quick and easy solution. Here’s how to do it:
Press the “Ctrl R” keys to open the Run command.
Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
Scroll down and locate the “Windows Update” service.
Right-click on the “Windows Update” service and select “Properties.”
In the “Startup type” dropdown, select “Disabled” to prevent the service from starting automatically.
Click “Stop” to immediately stop the Windows Update service.
Click “Apply” and “OK” to save the changes.
Keep in mind that disabling the Windows Update service may leave your system vulnerable to security threats, so it’s important to re-enable it when you’re ready to install updates.
Use a Metered Connection
Another effective way to prevent Windows 10 repair popups is to set your internet connection as metered. This tells Windows 10 to limit the amount of data used for updates, which can help prevent the “Windows 10 PC Repair” ads from appearing. Here’s how to set a metered connection:
Open the Start menu and search for “Settings.”
Click on the “Network & Internet” option.
Select the “Wi-Fi” or “Ethernet” tab, depending on your connection type.
Click on the network you’re currently connected to.
Toggle the “Set as metered connection” option to “On.”
Once you’ve set your connection as metered, Windows 10 will limit the amount of data used for updates, which should prevent the “Windows 10 PC Repair” popups from appearing.
Disable Startup Programs
Sometimes, the “Windows 10 PC Repair” popups can be caused by startup programs that are running in the background. To disable these programs and prevent the popups, follow these steps:
Press the “Ctrl Shift Esc” keys to open the Task Manager.
Click on the “Startup” tab.
Locate any programs that seem suspicious or related to the “Windows 10 PC Repair” popups.
Right-click on the program and select “Disable” to prevent it from running at startup.
This can help prevent the popups from appearing, as the startup programs that may be triggering them will no longer be running in the background.
Reset Browser Settings
If the “Windows 10 PC Repair” popups are appearing in your web browser, you can try resetting your browser settings to their default state. This can help remove any malicious extensions or settings that may be causing the popups. Here’s how to reset your browser settings:
For Google Chrome:
Click the menu icon (three dots in the top-right corner) and select “Settings.”
Scroll down and click on “Advanced.”
Under the “Reset and clean up” section, click “Reset settings to their original defaults.”
In the confirmation dialog, click “Reset settings” to complete the process.
For Mozilla Firefox:
Click the menu icon (three lines in the top-right corner) and select “Help.”
Click on “Troubleshooting Information.”
In the “Troubleshooting Information” page, click the “Refresh Firefox” button.
In the confirmation dialog, click “Refresh Firefox” to complete the process.
After resetting your browser settings, the “Windows 10 PC Repair” popups should no longer appear.
Use Anti-Malware Software
If the above methods don’t work, it’s possible that the “Windows 10 PC Repair” popups are being caused by malware or adware on your system. In this case, using a reliable anti-malware software can help detect and remove the underlying cause of the popups. Some recommended anti-malware tools include:
Malwarebytes
Bitdefender
Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Spybot – Search & Destroy
Simply install and run the anti-malware software of your choice, and it should be able to identify and remove any malicious programs or browser extensions that are responsible for the “Windows 10 PC Repair” popups.