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Adblock Plus for Windows

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 0.9.9.0
  • 4.2

    (79)
  • Security Status

Softonic review

Adblock Plus: One of the best adblockers out there

Most users will probably agree that ads are some of the most annoying things about the Internet experience. This is especially true when it comes to intrusive ads like pop-ups and clickbait. The best way to combat these ads is to install an ad blocker, and Adblock Plus is the most popular choice. This is for good reason because it is undoubtedly one of the best as well. Originally available for other browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, this program is a version of Adblock for Microsoft’s in-house browser, Microsoft Edge.

Features of Adblock Plus

Adblock Plus, a robust browser extension designed to enhance your web browsing experience, offers a comprehensive set of features to empower users with control over their online environment.

Ad blocking

One of the core functionalities of Adblock Plus is its highly effective ad-blocking capability. With Adblock Plus, you can bid farewell to the annoyance of intrusive advertisements that clutter websites. 

By utilizing customizable filter lists, Adblock Plus ensures that flashy banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, video ads on platforms like YouTube, and various other types of bothersome ads are kept at bay. This feature not only streamlines your web pages but also reduces distractions, allowing you to focus on the content that matters to you.

Acceptable ads

Adblock Plus recognizes the importance of maintaining a sustainable online ecosystem where websites can continue to thrive through advertising revenue. To strike a balance between user comfort and website support, Adblock Plus has implemented the Acceptable Ads initiative.

By default, this feature encourages the display of nonintrusive advertisements that adhere to a set of strict guidelines regarding ad placement and size. Users have the flexibility to enable or disable this feature, giving them the autonomy to tailor their browsing experience according to their preferences. This way, you can support the websites you love while still enjoying an ad-free experience when you choose to do so.

Tracking protection

Online privacy is a growing concern, with various entities tracking your digital footprint and browsing history. Adblock Plus addresses this issue by providing a robust tracking protection feature. With just a few clicks, you can disable most tracking mechanisms, allowing you to surf the web more anonymously. 

Adblock Plus leverages the renowned EasyPrivacy tracking protection filters, which have been validated by Stanford University research as one of the most efficient tracking protection solutions available. This means you can trust Adblock Plus to safeguard your online privacy and protect your personal information from prying eyes.

Social media button blocking

It's no secret that social media buttons are ubiquitous on the web, making it easy for you to share content. However, what many users may not be aware of is that these buttons silently communicate with social networks' servers, even if you don't interact with them directly. 

Adblock Plus steps in to ensure your online habits remain private by disabling these social media buttons on websites. By doing so, it prevents the transmission of data to social networks, thwarting their attempts to create profiles based on your browsing behavior. With Adblock Plus, you can enjoy greater control over your online footprint, keeping your digital presence just that—yours.

Not much different from other versions

As mentioned above, Adblock Plus is an ad blocker that was originally created for other platforms and browsers, and its performance in those browsers is very highly regarded. With this version of the ad blocker, there’s not much difference in terms of performance, process, and interface. Adblock Plus is well-known for being a very effective ad blocker and this version certainly lives up to its predecessors. It blocks most ads with ease and efficiency. Very few ads will be left visible on the page if any are left at all. The extension can also block pop-up ads which is always a great feature for any ad blocker. 

Installing and using the extension is just as easy as the other versions as well. It takes only a few seconds to install the program and once it is installed, Adblock Plus can be found on the toolbar. When you click on it, the simple interface of the extension will appear where you can disable the extension for a specific page and view the number of ads that have been blocked by the extension.

Problems with this version

Probably the biggest issue people have with this version of the Adblock Plus is the fact that it sometimes interferes with other applications. One of the hottest criticisms is that it caused the browser to become unable to view and display PDF files. Understandably, this is a very annoying problem that must be solved. 

It also misses a few ads. This is a common problem with all versions of Adblock Plus, however. Additionally, most ad blockers tend to have this problem as well, so I wouldn’t give Adblock Plus too much of a hard time over this. That said, if you’re really looking to get rid of all the ads you come across in pages, this point is worth taking into consideration.

Why is Adblock Plus disabled?

If you find that Adblock Plus is consistently getting uninstalled or disabled whenever you open Edge, it may be an indication that your computer has been compromised by malware. Malicious software often targets and removes browser extensions like Adblock Plus to facilitate its harmful activities.

Occasionally, browser extensions may conflict with each other, leading to one extension disabling another. Here's a step-by-step process to identify and resolve this issue:

  • Begin by reinstalling Adblock Plus to ensure it's in its default state.
  • Temporarily disable all other extensions in your Edge browser, leaving only Adblock Plus active.
  • Restart the Edge browser a few times. If Adblock Plus remains active after each restart, it suggests that one of the extensions you disabled earlier may be causing the problem.
  • Gradually enable each of the other extensions one at a time, restarting Edge after enabling each one. Continue this process until you notice that Adblock Plus has been uninstalled or disabled again. The last extension you enable will likely be the one responsible for interfering with Adblock Plus.

Good overall

There’s no denying that Adblock Plus deserves its reputation as one of the best ad block extensions in the market today. It’s effective, powerful, and easy to use. Sure, there are some hiccups and problems, but it does its job and it does it well. Using this extension, you’ll be able to browse without the added hassle of annoying ads to confuse and frustrate you. All in all, this is an extension that I recommend anyone to use. Just make sure to support websites that you love, and turn off that ad blocker to let them know you care.

PROS

  • No effect on browser performance
  • Blocks ads
  • Unobtrusive
  • Easy to use

CONS

  • Misses some ads
  • Conflicts with PDF
  • Conflicts with other applications
  • Customization is limited

Also available in other platforms

Program available in other languages


Adblock Plus for PC

  • Free

  • In English
  • V 0.9.9.0
  • 4.2

    (79)
  • Security Status


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Laws concerning the use of this software vary from country to country. We do not encourage or condone the use of this program if it is in violation of these laws.