McAfee Popups

Question

Hi

I’m running Windows 11 on my PC. I keep getting this pop-up screen from McAfee. “ the truth about online Security. Online threats are everywhere. Protect yourself now.” When I get this pop up on my screen, I cannot close it. So when I click “on protect yourself now”, it takes me to another screen. The screen shows two plans that McAfee offers. I cannot get past this screen. The only thing that I can do here is go back to the screen which starts with the truth apart online Security. The only way to get rid of this is that I have to reboot my PC. Sometimes these screens pop up right away. Other times it may be anywhere from half hour to 45 minutes.

Is there any way to stop these screens popping up? This is the only screens that pop-up I don’t get any other pop-ups on my PC. I would greatly appreciate any help that can be provided. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm Rodrigo and I will help you.
Please share a screenshot of the McAfee pop-up to help understand where the pop-up is coming from.

Answer 2

Hi, I'm Rodrigo and I will help you.
Please share a screenshot of the McAfee pop-up to help understand where the pop-up is coming from.

Answer 3

Those McAfee popups are almost certainly coming from either:

• A bundled McAfee app that was preinstalled, or
• A malicious/annoying browser component or site that is repeatedly opening a full‑screen page.

Use these steps to stop them and recover when they appear.

1. When the popup locks the screen

Use one of these methods to close the browser or window instead of rebooting:

• Press Alt + F4 to close the active window. Press it repeatedly until it disappears.
• If it is full screen, press F11 first to exit full‑screen mode, then close the tab or window.
• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select the browser (for example, Microsoft Edge or Chrome), then choose End task.
• As a last resort, hold the PC’s power button until it turns off.

These are the same techniques used to close fake “your computer is infected” lock‑screen popups.

2. Remove any unwanted browser or app that causes the popups

Because similar McAfee‑style popups have been traced to unwanted browsers or apps:

1. Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
2. Carefully look for:
   • Any McAfee entry (trial, web advisor, security, etc.).
   • Any unknown browser (for example, “Wave browser”) or software that was not intentionally installed.
3. Select the suspicious app and choose Uninstall. Restart the PC if prompted.

If an app refuses to uninstall completely, contact that publisher’s support for a removal tool.

3. Check for malicious or scam websites and notifications

These kinds of full‑screen “security” offers are often part of tech support or scareware scams:

• Avoid sites that offer pirated software, illegal downloads, or dubious streaming; they commonly redirect to such pages.
• If a page suddenly fills the screen with a “security” message or offer, close the browser immediately (Alt+F4) or restart the PC.
• In Microsoft Edge, ensure Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is turned on so known malicious sites are blocked:
  • Go to Settings and more > Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Security and turn Microsoft Defender SmartScreen on.

4. Scan the PC for malware that may be reinstalling the popup source

If the popup keeps coming back even after removing suspicious apps:

1. Run a normal scan in Windows Security.
2. If the problem persists, run a Windows Defender Offline scan to catch hidden components:
   • Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
   • Under Current threats, select Scan options.
   • Select Windows Defender Offline scan, then Scan now. The PC will restart and scan before Windows loads.
3. General protection steps

• Keep Windows 11 updated.
• Make sure Tamper Protection is on in Windows Security so malware cannot easily disable protection.
• Use only one antivirus product at a time; if McAfee is installed but not wanted, uninstall it and rely on Microsoft Defender Antivirus.

If the popups ever include phone numbers or urgent claims that the PC is infected and must be “fixed” immediately, treat them as scams, close the browser, and do not call or provide any personal or payment information.

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References:

• Protect my PC from viruses
• How to close a pop-up window if Microsoft Edge isn't responding
• Protect yourself from online scams and attacks
• Troubleshoot problems with detecting and removing malware
• How can SmartScreen help protect me in Microsoft Edge?
• Protect yourself from tech support scams
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