Getting unwanted drop-down websites

Question

When using Microsoft Edge, I keep getting unwanted "drop down" websites. Why.. ? How can one keep this from happening ?

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Answer 1

Hi @Clint Molitor

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum 

Regarding your issue, this usually happens because something has changed how Edge behaves. Most often, it’s caused by a browser extension, website permission, or unwanted software that triggers pop‑ups or redirects automatically.  

Here are a few steps you can try: 

1. Disable Search and Site Suggestions 

• Open Edge and click the three dots (...) in the top-right corner. 
• Select Settings. 
• On the left sidebar, click Privacy, search, and services. 
• At the bottom click Search and connected experiences > select Address bar and search > click Search suggestions and filters
• Find the following toggles and turn them Off: 
  • Show me search and site suggestions using my typed characters 
  • Show me suggestions from history, favorites and other data on this device 
  • Search filters
• 
• Note: Disabling these will mean you have to type out full URLs or rely entirely on your Bookmarks. 

2. Turn Off "Top Sites" on New Tabs 

• Open a New Tab. 
• Click the Gear icon (Page Settings) in the top-right corner of the page. 
• Locate Quick links and toggle it to Off. 
•  

3. Clear Existing Suggestions 

• Individual Removal: When the drop-down appears, use your arrow keys to highlight a specific site you don't want to see and press Shift + Delete on your keyboard. This will remove that specific entry from the list. 
• Clear Cache and History: In Settings > Privacy, search, and services, click Choose what to clear under "Clear browsing data." Select "Browsing history" and "Autofill form data" for "All time" to wipe the slate clean. 

Hopefully it will help work with your issue and if you have any other questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. 

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Answer 2

Unwanted drop-down websites in Microsoft Edge can often be attributed to potentially unwanted applications (PUAs) or browser add-ons that modify your browsing experience. To prevent this from happening, you can take several steps:

1. Enable PUA Protection: Microsoft Edge has a feature to block potentially unwanted apps. To enable it:
   • Open Settings in Microsoft Edge.
   • Go to Privacy, search, and services.
   • Under the Security section, turn on Block potentially unwanted apps.
2. Use Microsoft Defender SmartScreen: Ensure that Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is turned on, as it helps block known websites that host unwanted software. You can check this in the same Security section of the settings.
3. Download Software from Trusted Sources: Always download software from official websites or the Microsoft Store to reduce the risk of installing unwanted software.
4. Remove Unwanted Extensions: Check your browser extensions and remove any that you do not recognize or use. Go to Settings > Extensions to manage them.
5. Clear Browser Cache: Regularly clearing your browser cache can help eliminate unwanted data that may contribute to these issues.

By following these steps, you can minimize the chances of encountering unwanted drop-down websites in Microsoft Edge.