Configuring Your Web Browser To Allow Pop-up Windows

Most web browsers include a feature to block pop-up windows. While this may eliminate unwanted or bothersome pop-up windows, the feature sometimes can impede the functionality of legitimate or useful websites.

Some popular Penn-affiliated websites requiring pop-ups include:

U@Penn
PennPortal
Penn Online Directory

Follow the instructions below to configure your web browser to allow pop-up windows for your selected websites.

Note: If you have installed third party applications to block pop-ups, be sure to consult the vendor documentation to allow pop-up windows for desired websites.

Internet Explorer 6.0 (Windows)

Follow the instructions below for the version of Internet Explorer for your operating system.

Windows XP SP1 or Windows 2000

The default version of Internet Explorer included with Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows 2000 does not have the ability to block pop-up windows. As a result, you do not need to take further action to configure Internet Explorer. However, if you are having problems using websites that use pop-up windows, make sure you have disabled any third party software packages that block pop-up windows.

Windows XP SP2

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) introduced default pop-up blocking behavior for Internet Explorer. When a website attempts to launch a new pop-up window, you may see dialog boxes alerting you of pop-up windows that have been blocked. Follow the instructions below to allow pop-up windows on a per-website basis.

1. Open Internet Explorer to the web page on which you wish to allow pop-ups.
2. In Internet Explorer's Address field, highlight the entire web address of the current page, then choose the Copy command from the Edit menu.
3. From the Tools menu, select Pop-up Blocker --> Pop-up Blocker Settings... The Pop-up Blocker Settings window opens.
4. Right-click in the "Address of Web site to allow:" field, then choose Paste.
   Notes: Pasting the web address of a page you wish to allow pop-ups is recommended, rather than typing the generic main web address. For example, you might visit www.example.com/requirepopup.html, but the page is actually hosted at popup.example.com/forms/popupform.html. In this example, you must allow popup.example.com, not www.example.com. Note also that entire websites must be allowed, not individual directories or pages, so in this example Internet Explorer will automatically add the top level popup.example.com to its Allowed sites.
5. Click Add. The selected website is added to the list of Allowed sites.
6. Click Close to close the Pop-up Blocker Settings dialog box.

Safari (Mac OS X)

Safari for Mac OS X has no per-website control over blocking pop-ups windows. Pop-ups are either blocked, or they are not. To allow pop-ups:

1. From the Safari menu, ensure the Block Pop-Up Windows option is not checked. Unchecking this option will allow pop-ups.
2. To block pop-ups once again, check Block Pop-Up Windows in the Safari menu. You can use a keyboard shortcut: [Apple key]-K.

Mozilla 1.7.x (Windows/Mac OS X)

With Mozilla 1.7.x, you can allow pop-up windows on a per-website basis.

1. Select "Preferences..." from the Edit or Mozilla menu. The "Preferences" window will open.
2. Expand the "Privacy & Security" options in the left pane and click "Popup Windows".
3. In the "Popup Windows" section, ensure the checkbox marked "Block unrequested popup windows" is checked.
4. Click "OK". Pop-ups are now blocked for sites, but you can allow pop-up windows from the websites you specifiy.
5. Open a new Mozilla browser window and visit the website you wish to enable for pop-ups windows.
6. From the Tools menu, select "Popup Manager" --> "Allow Popups From This Site". The Allowed Web Sites window appears.
7. Click the "Add" button to allow the current website to display pop-up windows.
   Note: Use this method to allow pop-ups for websites, rather than typing the generic main website address, since pages are often redirected to different web addresses.
8. Click "OK". The current website is now enabled for pop-up windows.
9. For future reference, you can easily navigate to the Allowed Web Sites window by choosing "Tools" --> "Popup Manager" --> "Manage Popups".

Firefox 1.x (Windows/Mac OS X)

As of January 1, 2005, the Firefox web browser is not officially supported at the University, although this may change. The following configuration is being provided on a good-faith/best-effort basis and should not be construed as an endorsement or implication of official support.

1. Open Firefox to the web page on which you wish to allow pop-ups.
2. Highlight the entire web address of the current page, then choose the Copy command from the Edit menu.
3. Click the "Web Features" icon in the left sidebar.
4. Select "Options..." from the Tools menu, or "Preferences..." from the Firefox menu. A configuration window will open.
5. Ensure the "Block Popup Windows" checkbox is selected.
6. Right-click or control-click in the "Address of web site:" field, then choose Paste. Notes: Pasting the web address of a page you wish to allow pop-ups is recommended, rather than typing the generic main web address. For example, you might visit www.example.com/requirepopup.html, but the page is actually hosted at popup.example.com/forms/popupform.html. In this example, you must allow popup.example.com, not www.example.com. Note also that entire websites must be allowed, not individual directories or pages, so in this example Firefox will automatically add the top level popup.example.com to its Allowed sites.
7. Click "OK". The selected website is added to the list of Allowed Sites.
8. Close any remaining dialog boxes.