The beta version of Microsoft XP 2 is being reported to have popup blocking in Internet Explorer turned on by default: …the update tweaks the Internet Explorer Web browser to block pop-up ads on Web sites and to prevent inadvertent downloads of software.  I’ve been predicting for some time that I this was going to happen and when it did, it would destroy the usefulness and proliferation of popup advertising. Unfortunately, this will also affect the legitimate use of pop-ups. The final version of XP is anticipated to be available to all Windows XP users by mid 2004.