How to Prevent Pop-Ups in AOL or AIM Mail

Email & Messaging

Updated September 18, 2019

If you access your AOL Mail or AIM Mail account in a web browser rather than in another email program, you might encounter pop-up windows when you read email messages or create new outgoing messages. There are a few basic settings you can change in AOL Mail or AIM Mail so that all email messages open in the same window you're using to view your AOL Mail or AIM Mail account.

Instructions in this article apply to AIM Mail and AOL Mail on Windows 10, Windows, 8, Windows 7, and Mac OS X and newer.

Prevent AIM Mail or AOL Mail from Opening Messages in Pop-Up Windows When Reading Messages

If you don't want to read new email messages in a new window, change a general setting.

Log into your AOL account.
Go to your AOL Mail or AIM Mail inbox.
Select Options.
Choose Mail Settings.
In the AOL Mail Settings page, select the General tab, then scroll to the Reading section.
Clear the Always Read Mail in a New Window check box.
Select Save Settings to apply the changes and return to the inbox.
When you open a new email message, it opens in the current window.

Prevent AIM Mail or AOL Mail from Opening Messages in Pop-Up Windows When Composing Messages

Change a setting in the Compose section of AOL Mail settings to prevent a new window from opening when you create a new outgoing email message or reply to an email in your inbox.

Log into your AOL account.
Go to your AOL Mail or AIM Mail inbox.
Select Options.
Choose Mail Settings.
In the AOL Mail Settings page, select the Compose tab.
In the Default Compose Mode section, choose Always write mail in full pane compose.
Select Save Settings to apply the changes and return to the inbox.
When you compose a new email message or a reply, it opens in the current window.