Disable or Configure Common Pop-Up Blockers or Remove Add-on Toolbars

General Steps to Disable Browser Add-ons

Pop-up Blockers are intended to block unwanted pop-ups (such as advertising) on web sites, but they also can interfere with legitimate functions such as viewing MLS announcements, linked documents (including pdf documents and office links or report links in email or CTI Matchmakers), frame menu items, print dialog screens, web-links to other websites, IDX search  screens, tutorial movies or calendars. There are dozens of pop-up blocking utilities; some also are included in anti-virus programs and free Internet utilities. 

Browser add-ons and free toolbars (such as Ask.com, Babylon, Crawler, FunWebProducts, InfoAtoms, MyWebSearch MySearch, MySearchResults, My Way Speedbar, Search Assistant, Search Here) or desktop gadget adware (such as WeatherBug or WhenU) may attempt to redirect some browser functions (especially search) through their proxy servers to the websites of their sponsors. This may interfere with MLS functions that open a new browser screen for viewing (such as linked documents and calendars). 

Add-ons and Toolbars in Internet Explorer (IE)

Plug-ins and Toolbars in Firefox

To disable unwanted or troublesome browser plugins and toolbars in Firefox: click Tools > select Add-ons > select the add-on name > click on the "Activation" button and select "Never Activate" to prevent the add-on from running. This leaves the plugin installed but disabled.

To manually remove a plugin in Firefox (if you can't find a specific uninstaller program for it):
  1. Type about:plugins into the Location bar and press Enter to display the About Plugins page.
  2. Each entry in the About Plugins page will have "File:" and "Path:", showing the name and location of the plugin file. Use Windows Explorer to navigate to the folder shown for the plugin you want to remove.
  3. Rename the file, such as by adding an X in front of the filename (for instance, npswf32 becomes Xnpswf32).
  4. The plugin will be removed.

Notes

Note 1: If you remove/uninstall a toolbar/browser add-on that was embedded in a free product, you will no longer have access to the free product or feature. To continue to be able to access the underlying product sometimes, temporarily disable the add-on. 

Note 2: Toolbars may be hidden but still functioning.  To view a hidden toolbar, go to the top of your Internet browser and select Tools or View > Toolbars > click to check the desired toolbar. Only the checked toolbars in the list will be visible in your browser. 

Note 3: Embedded toolbar/browser add-ons may not be listed by their own name in the Windows list of installed programs. For links to free utilities to find and remove Malware, Spyware, and "Potentially Unwanted Programs" such as ad-directing browser add-ons and toolbars, click on "Free Malware and Spyware Cleaners". 

Specific Pop-up Blocker and Toolbar Management Index

For specific instructions to disable, configure or remove some of the most common pop-up blockers and toolbars, select the appropriate topic below:

Internet Explorer Integrated Pop-Up Blocker

Beginning with Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, pop-up blocking has been integrated into all versions of Internet Explorer (IE) and is enabled by default. To configure IE's pop-up blocking (except in the tiles mode of Windows 8 and 8.1):

  1. Open Internet Explorer
  2. Click Tools > select Pop-Up Blocker 
    IE Tools Drop Down Menu - or -  (click image to enlarge)
    Note: If the IE menu is not visible, either right-click on a blank area at the top of the browser and select "Menu Bar"; or click on the Tools icon (), select Internet Options, and click on the Privacy tab .
  3. To disable pop-up blocking in IE, select "Turn Off Pop-up Blocker"
  4. To allow pop-ups on approved sites, select "Pop-up Blocker Settings..."
    Pop-Up Blocker Settings scfeen
    • in "Address of Web Site to allow" box type ctimls.com
    • click the Add button. The website *.ctimls.com should appear under Allowed sites.  
    • click in the "Address of Web Site to allow" box, enter *mls.com and then click the Add button to include *mls.com in the Allowed Sites.
    • click the Close button.
If pop-up blocking is turned on in Internet Explorer it will generate an "Information Bar" the first time you go to a web site that uses pop-ups or graphical code resembling pop-up code. Click where indicated inside the Information bar and select either
  1. "Temporarily Allow Pop-Ups" to view blocked information just during the current session
  2. "Always Allow Pop-ups from this Site" to always see pop-ups at this web site 
  3. "Settings" to allow pop-ups on multiple sites that you specify. 

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Microsoft Edge browser Edge icon

To disable blocking Pop-ups in Microsoft Edge:

  1. Click More Actions button beneath X in the top right corner of the browser
  2. Select Settings (at or near the bottom of the list)
  3. Click the "View Advanced Settings" button (near the bottom of the settings)
  4. Click beside or drag the "Block Pop-Ups" horizontal slider to Off. 
  5. Click off of the Advanced Settings menu to close it.

Mozilla Firefox

Firefox blocks pop-ups by default. To configure Firefox's pop-up blocking:

  1. Open Firefox
  2. Select Tools > Options > Content in the Menu Bar; or click on the Open Menu icon , select Options, then Content.
  3. To disable pop-up blocking, un-check "Block pop-up windows" > click OK.
  4. To allow pop-ups on approved sites, verify that "Block pop-up windows" is checked and click the Exceptions... button beside it. This opens the Allowed Sites - Popups window
    Firefox Pop-Up Blocker Settings
    • in "Address of Web Site" box type www.ctimls.com
    • click the Allow button. The website www.ctimls.com should appear under Site with an "Allow" Status.  
    • click the Close button.

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Apple Safari Browser

To disable the Pop-up-Up Blocker in Safari 6, 7 and 8:

  1. Open Safari
  2. Click "Safari" in the browser's top left menu (next to the Apple icon) 
  3. Under Safari select Preferences
  4. Select the Security tab
  5. Un-check “Block pop-up windows"  (click to see image) .

To disable the Pop-Up Blocker in Safari 5 and older: open Safari, select Edit in the toolbar, and un-check "Block Pup-Up Windows." For a keyboard shortcut, hold down the Control+Shift key and press the "K" key on your keyboard.

Google Chrome Browser

Google Chrome automatically prevents pop-ups until configured otherwise. To see pop-ups that are being blocked on a specific website in Chrome, click the icon in the address bar. To quickly set Chrome to allow you to always see pop-ups for ctimls.com, click the icon and select "Always show pop-ups from ctimls.com". The site will be added to the Exceptions list, which you can manage in the Content Settings dialog (as described below).

To configure how Chrome handles all pop-ups at the website for Navigator Web:

  1. Click the Chrome menu Chrome Menu icon 3 dotd on the browser toolbar
  2. Select Settings
  3. Click Show Advanced settings
  4. In the "Privacy" section, click the Content settings button
  5. In the "Pop-ups" section, click "Manage exceptions"
  6. Enter [*.]ctimls.com in the example box (to apply to pop-ups on any screen in the "ctimls.com" domain)
  7. Select Allow 
  8. Click the Done button.

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Google Toolbar

Google Toolbar

To stop the Pop-Up Blocking feature in Google Toolbar, either

  1. Click on the Pop-Up Blocker icon Google PopUps Blocked icon  in the toolbar to allow pop-ups on this site PopUps Allowed icon; or 
  2. Right-click on the toolbar and un-check Google in the Drop Down menu to temporarily disable blocking pop-ups.

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Yahoo Toolbar

Yahoo Toolbar

To disable the Pop-Up Blocking feature in the Yahoo Toolbar:
  1. Click the Down arrow beside the Pop-Up Blocker icon Yahoo Pop-Up Blocker icon 
  2. To disable the blocker, un-check "Enable Pop-Up Blocker" in the Drop Down menu
    MSN Toolbar Menu .
  3. To configure the blocker, check  "Enable Pop-Up Blocker" and select "Always Allow Pop-Ups from..." on the same Drop Down menu
  4. In the Yahoo! Pop-Up Blocker dialog screen, select ctimls.com in the "Sources of Recently Blocked Pop-Ups"
  5. Click the Allow button and then the Close button.

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 MSN Toolbar

MSN Toolbar image

  1. Click the Down arrow beside the Pop-Up Blocker icon MSN Pop-Ups Blocked icon 
  2. Check "Allow Pop-ups" in the Drop Down menu
    MSN Pop-Up Blocker Menu screen

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AOL Toolbar

Aol Toolbar

To stop the Pop-Up Blocking feature in AOL Toolbar, click on the Pop-Up Blocker in the toolbar AOL Pop-Ups Blocked to toggle it to allow pop-ups AOL Pop-ups Allowed icon.

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Ask Toolbar with Popswatter

To disable the PopSwatter popup blocker in the Ask Toolbar:

  1. Display the Ask Toolbar if not visible (at the top of your Internet browser select View > Toolbars > click to check "Ask Toolbar") 
  2. Click the PopSwatter icon (looks like a yellow flyswatter) on the Ask Toolbar
  3. Click Disable PopSwatter.

To configure PopSwatter to allow pop-ups on selected sites such as ctimls.com:

  1. Go to the web site (www.ctimls.com)
  2. Click the PopSwatter icon on the Ask Toolbar
  3. Click "Change Preferences"
  4. Add the site to the "Safe List" (click "Safe List" tab > Allow Popups for www.ctimls.com > click Allow > X to close). 

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Ask.com, FunWebProducts, MySearch Toolbar/browser add-on

The Ask.com, InfoAtoms, FunWebProducts, MySearch, MyTotalSearch or MyWebSearch toolbar/browser add-ons are embedded in many FREE downloadable products (such as  Smiley Central, Cursor Mania, FromDOCtoPDF, My Mail Signature, My Mail Stamp, My Mail Stationary, and Popular Screensavers. The Ask Toolbar is also included in Bandoo Media Products such as iMesh Radio Player Toolbar, Movie Player Toolbar, and Music Box Toolbar. These toolbars may then be activated whenever a new browser window is opened automatically - such as when viewing linked MLS documents (in pdf format), IDX search  screens, tutorial movies, or calendars. They also may set "ask.com" as your browser's default home page, and default Search Provider.

Note: To configure or temporarily disable the popup blocker if included in the Ask Toolbar, follow the instructions in the previous section (Ask Toolbar with Popswatter). 

A typical Ask Toolbar (without pop-up blocker) looks like

To remove the Ask Toolbar from Internet Explorer:

  1. Close all browser screens
  2. Click to open the Windows Start menu and select the Control Panel
  3. In the Control Panel, open "Programs and Features" or Add/Remove Programs  
  4. Select Ask Toolbar from the Programs list
  5. Click the Change/Remove button to uninstall.

To disable or remove the Ask Toolbar from Firefox:

  1. Click on Tools near the top of your Firefox browser window
  2. Select Extensions or Add-Ons
  3. Select the Ask Toolbar
  4. Click Uninstall to remove (or click Disable to temporarily disable), then click OK.

To disable or remove the Ask Toolbar from Chrome:

  1. Click on the Chrome Menu icon
  2. Select Settings
  3. Click the Extensions Tab
  4. Browse to the Ask Toolbar extension,
  5. Either
    • Un-check "Enable" beside the Ask Toolbar extension;  or
    • Click the trashcan icon beside the Ask Toolbar "Enable" option.

To uninstall Fun Web Products from your computer:

  1. Click to open the Windows Start menu and select the Control Panel
  2. In the Control Panel, open "Programs and Features" or Add/Remove Programs  
  3. Select "My Web Search" or "My Total Search"
  4. Click the Change/Remove button to uninstall.

If you continue to experience problems with the Ask.com, FunWebProducts, or MyWebSearch browser add-on (after completing the above removal steps):

  1. Go to http://help.funwebproducts.com/uninstall/uninstall.aspx
    2.
  2. In Windows XP or earlier,
  3. In Windows Vista, 7, or 8
  4. Close all web browser screens to clear the add-on out of memory. If the add-on persists, re-start Windows. 

For additional instructions (with video) on removing the Ask Toolbar and/or Ask Homepage as your browser's default homepage, click this link: Help Removing the Ask Toolbar .

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AVG LinkScanner

Starting with version 8, AVG Free Edition includes a LinkScanner component with an "Active Surf-Shield" feature to check every webpage for malicious content before it is opened through a web link. This pre-scanning can greatly slow up or erroneously stop legitimate websites from opening in a new browser window. LinkScanner also includes a "Search-Shield" feature to display a safety rating for search results, including ads, in Search engine screens (such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing).

To temporarily disable the LinkScanner component if it is already installed:

  1. Open an Internet browser window
  2. Select Tools 
  3. Manage Add-ons 
  4. Enable or Disable Add-ons
  5. Highlight AVG Safe Search
  6. Click Disable
  7. Click OK. 

To configure AVG to not use LinkScanner components:

  1. Open AVG
  2. Click Components (at the top of the screen)
  3. Select LinkScanner
  4. Un-check "Enable AVG Active Surf-Shield"
  5. Un-check "Enable AVG Active Search-Shield"
  6. Click Save Changes. 

To uninstall the LinkScanner component, or install AVG without LinkScanner:

  1. Download the latest version of AVG Antivirus (see link in Related Articles at the end of this web page)
  2. Run the installation
  3. In the Select Installation Type window, choose "Custom installation". If AVG Antivirus is already installed,  choose “Add or remove components” at the prompt to Select Setup Type 
  4. Continue the installation (click Next twice)
  5. Uncheck either Search-Shield or LinkScanner
  6. Click Next until installation is finished.

source: http://free.avg.com/us-en/faq.num-1338#ixzz0hbVXHEoz

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Crawler Toolbar

Like Ask.com/FunWebProducts, the "sponsor supported" Crawler toolbar is included with thousands of FREE downloadable products (such as screensavers, wallpaper, animated cursors, desktop weather or traffic utilities, radio & MP3 players, online games, smileys, eCards and IE skins). 

To disable the Pop-Up Blocking feature in the Crawler Toolbar:

  1. Go to the Crawler Toolbar Settings  
  2. Select the "Services Settings" tab
  3. Check the box beside Popup Blocker and click the Settings button
  4. Under the General tab select Disable 
  5. Click the Apply button and then the OK button

To configure the Pop-Up Blocking feature in the Crawler Toolbar:

  1. Go to the Crawler Toolbar Settings 
  2. Select the "Services Settings" tab
  3. Check the box beside Popup Blocker and click the Settings button
  4. Select the Advanced tab
  5. Click the Add Website button
  6. Enter www.ctimls.com as the "Site host name"
  7. Click the Apply button and then the OK button

To Uninstall the Crawler Toolbar either use Add/Remove Programs in Windows Control Panel, or:

  1. Click on the "Crawler" button, select the "Help" and then the "Uninstall" option
  2. Select the component(s) to remove and click the Uninstall button
  3. Click Yes to close IE windows
  4. Click Yes to reboot windows.

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InfoAtoms

InfoAtoms claims to be "a FREE Browser plug-in that enables you to highlight text on any website and get instant search results, translations, synonyms and more." It sounds useful. However, it also can hijack or block the browser's normal links so it can direct you to advertising supported links.

To remove the free dictionary/translator/thesaurus browser add-on called InfoAtoms:

  1. Close all browser screens
  2. Open the Windows Start menu and click on Control Panel
  3. In the Control Panel, open "Programs and Features" or Add/Remove Programs  
  4. Select InfoAtoms from the Programs list
  5. Click the Change/Remove button to uninstall. 

STOPzilla Anti-Spyware

To configure STOPzilla to allow Pop-up windows (such as web-links and dialog boxes) in CTI Navigator:

  1. Left click on the STOPzilla System Tray icon  
  2. In the BLACK LIST, right-click on any item that shows ctimls.com in the address  
  3. Select "ALLOW ALL Pop-ups from this Site"
  4. Click the Save button.

You can remove CTIMLS.com from the Black List only after STOPzilla has explicitly blocked pop-ups on the website. 

To completely disable blocking Pop-ups in STOPzilla:

  1. Right-click on the STOPzilla System Tray icon  
  2. Select View Basic Options STOPzilla Basic Options Menu screen 
  3. Under POP-UP PROTECTION, select Disable
  4. Click OK.

For direct Tech Support on STOPzilla, phone 1-877-877-9944 in the USA; or right-click on the System Tray Icon > Select Tools > ADVANCED OPTIONS > Support tab

 

Note: If you disable blocking pop-ups in general rather than for a specific website in any pop-up blocker program or toolbar, you may want to re-enable pop-up blocking after you finish using the function that was being blocked.

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Related Articles and Internet Links:

To return to CTI's on-line Menu of Help & Tutorials for CTI Navigator, click here .

To go directly to CTI's tutorials for using CMA's in CTI Navigator Desktop (which require that pop-ups be allowed), click here.

 

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