If you’re using Windows 11 and have McAfee antivirus installed, you’ve likely noticed constant pop-ups—whether it’s reminders to renew your subscription, alerts about your system’s health, or promotional offers. While these notifications are meant to keep you safe, they can quickly become annoying and disruptive.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step methods to stop McAfee pop-ups on Windows 11, explain why they appear, and give you alternative solutions if you want a cleaner security experience.
Why Does McAfee Show Pop-Ups?
McAfee generates pop-ups for several reasons:
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Security alerts → To warn you about threats or system vulnerabilities.
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Subscription reminders → To push you to renew before expiry.
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Promotional offers → Ads for other McAfee products and upgrades.
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Performance scans → Notifications about PC health or optimization tools.
While some pop-ups are useful, most are marketing-oriented and not critical for your PC’s security.
Methods to Stop McAfee Pop-Ups on Windows 11
Method 1: Disable Notifications in McAfee Settings
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Open the McAfee Security app.
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Go to Navigation (or click the gear ⚙️ icon for settings).
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Find General Settings and Alerts.
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Select Information Alerts.
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Uncheck the boxes for alerts you don’t want to see.
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Click Apply to save changes.
✅ This reduces most unnecessary McAfee pop-ups.
Method 2: Turn Off McAfee Ads and Promotional Messages
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In McAfee, open Settings.
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Look for Pop-up Notifications or Messages.
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Uncheck Product Messages or Promotional Alerts.
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Save and exit.
✅ Removes ads while keeping critical security alerts.
Method 3: Disable McAfee Notifications via Windows 11 Settings
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Press Windows + I to open Settings.
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Go to System > Notifications.
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Scroll down and find McAfee in the app list.
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Toggle the switch off to block notifications.
✅ This stops McAfee from sending pop-ups through Windows’ notification center.
Method 4: Stop McAfee from Running at Startup (Optional)
If you rarely use McAfee, disabling it at startup can minimize interruptions.
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Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
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Go to the Startup tab.
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Locate McAfee in the list.
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Right-click and select Disable.
⚠️ Note: This does not uninstall McAfee but may reduce background notifications.
Method 5: Uninstall McAfee (If You Don’t Need It)
If you’re already using Windows Security (Defender) or another antivirus, you may not need McAfee at all.
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Press Windows + I → Apps → Installed Apps.
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Find McAfee.
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Click Uninstall and follow the prompts.
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Restart your PC.
✅ Windows Security will automatically protect your PC if McAfee is removed.
Additional Tips to Manage McAfee Pop-Ups
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Keep McAfee updated → Some updates fix excessive notifications.
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Renew your subscription early → To stop constant renewal reminders.
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Use Silent Mode (if available) → Temporarily blocks all pop-ups while gaming or working.
Pros and Cons of Stopping McAfee Pop-Ups
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cleaner desktop experience | Risk of missing important security alerts |
| Less distraction while working/gaming | May overlook renewal reminders |
| Stops annoying ads & promotions | Must rely on manual scans for issues |
Conclusion
McAfee is designed to protect your PC, but its persistent pop-ups can be frustrating. By tweaking McAfee’s internal settings, adjusting Windows 11 notifications, or even uninstalling McAfee entirely, you can take control of your system and enjoy a smoother, distraction-free experience.
If you want security without the noise, consider relying on Windows Security (Defender), which comes built-in with Windows 11 and offers robust protection with fewer interruptions.
FAQs About Stopping McAfee Pop-Ups on Windows 11
1. Can I turn off McAfee pop-ups without uninstalling it?
Yes, by disabling notifications inside McAfee and in Windows Settings.
2. Why does McAfee keep showing renewal reminders?
It’s part of their subscription model. Disabling promotional alerts in McAfee can help.
3. Will uninstalling McAfee leave my PC unprotected?
No. Windows Security will automatically enable itself if McAfee is removed.
4. Is there a “silent mode” in McAfee?
Yes, some McAfee versions include Do Not Disturb or Silent Mode, which suppress pop-ups temporarily.
5. Which antivirus works best with Windows 11 without pop-ups?
Windows Security is lightweight, free, and has minimal pop-ups compared to third-party antiviruses.