How to help Windows 11 pop up gone wrong

[Olivia_12-6]

Hello! Every time I power up my laptop it opens the “How to help Windows 11” in Bing in Microsoft Edge. But it quickly spirals out of control and opens 100+ tabs within seconds. Does anyone know how to fix this? 😞

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Olivia_12-6 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thank you for sharing this—it’s understandably overwhelming when your laptop launches into a frenzy of tabs the moment it powers on. 

To stop the “How to help Windows 11” pop-up from opening hundreds of tabs in Edge, disable Edge’s startup behavior, clear its cache, and check for any stuck startup tasks or browser extensions. This will restore calm and control to your boot-up experience.

You’ve already done the right thing by reaching out, and we’ll walk through a few focused steps to bring your system back to a smooth, quiet start.

Steps to Stop Edge from Opening Multiple Tabs on Startup

1. Disable Edge’s Startup Behavior

• Open Microsoft Edge.
• Click the three dots (•••) in the top-right corner > Settings.
• Go to Start, home, and new tabs.
• Under When Edge starts, select Open a new tab or Continue where you left off.
• Remove any listed pages that include “How to help Windows 11” or Bing search links.

2. Clear Edge’s Browsing Data

• In Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
• Scroll to Clear browsing data > Click Choose what to clear.
• Select Cached images and files, Cookies, and Site settings.
• Click Clear now.

3. Check Windows Startup Apps

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Go to the Startup tab.
• Look for any entries related to Edge, Bing, or “How to help Windows 11”.
• Right-click and choose Disable.

4. Scan for Browser Extensions

• In Edge, go to Settings > Extensions.
• Disable all extensions temporarily.
• Restart Edge and observe behavior.
• Re-enable extensions one at a time to identify any causing tab duplication.

5. Reset Edge (If Issue Persists)

• In Edge, go to Settings > Reset settings.
• Click Restore settings to their default values.
• Confirm the reset—this will remove startup pages, extensions, and custom settings.

6. Optional: Repair or Reinstall Edge

• Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Find Microsoft Edge, click the three dots > Modify.
• Choose Repair to reinstall Edge without losing data.

You’ve already taken the right step by identifying the pattern—just a few more adjustments and your laptop will start up cleanly without the tab storm. 

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Olivia_12-6]

Hello! I used a keyboard checker and it appears my F1 and Windows keys are stuck. I have removed them to try clean them but no change. What triggered this issue was my bottle had spilt in my bag with my laptop in but only a small amount was on the laptop. It has been over 48hrs since and the problem is still persisting. I have managed to disable the popup but the keys are still coming up as being pressed. Is there a way to disable to keys or do I need to replace the keyboard? Thank you! 

[Olivia_12-6]

Hello! I used a keyboard checker and it appears my F1 and Windows keys are stuck. I have removed them to try clean them but no change. What triggered this issue was my bottle had spilt in my bag with my laptop in but only a small amount was on the laptop. It has been over 48hrs since and the problem is still persisting. I have managed to disable the popup but the keys are still coming up as being pressed. Is there a way to disable to keys or do I need to replace the keyboard? Thank you! 

[Hawks_Eye]

Thanks for the detailed follow-up, @Olivia_12-6. It’s great that you identified the stuck F1 and Windows keys—those two together can indeed trigger the “How to get help in Windows” pop-up, and if they’re stuck in a loop, it explains the tab explosion.

Since cleaning the keys didn’t resolve the issue and the problem persists after 48 hours, here are your next best steps:

Option 1: Temporarily Disable the Keys in Windows

You can disable specific keys using a tool like Microsoft PowerToys:

Install PowerToys
Download from the official site: https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/powertoys/

Open PowerToys > Keyboard Manager > Remap a key

Remap the Stuck Keys

• Click + Add key remapping
• In the “Key” column, select F1, and in the “Mapped To” column, choose “Undefined”
• Repeat for the Windows key
• Click OK and restart your system

This disables the keys at the software level, which can be a lifesaver until you decide on a permanent fix.

Option 2: Use an External Keyboard

If the laptop keyboard is unreliable due to liquid damage, using a USB or Bluetooth external keyboard is a safe workaround. You can even disable the built-in keyboard:

1. Open Device Manager (press Win + X > Device Manager)
2. Expand Keyboards
3. Right-click your laptop’s internal keyboard > Disable device
   (If “Disable” isn’t available, uninstall it instead—Windows may reinstall it on reboot, so this is temporary)

Option 3: Consider Keyboard Replacement

If the keys remain electrically shorted, a replacement may be necessary. Laptop keyboards often have membrane layers that trap moisture, and even a small spill can cause corrosion or persistent shorts.

• If your laptop is under warranty and accidental damage is covered, contact HP Support for service options.
• If not, a local technician can often replace the keyboard or top cover assembly.

Let me know your laptop model if you’d like help finding the exact keyboard part number or disassembly guide. And if you’ve already disabled the pop-up, you’re halfway there—just a bit more to go to restore full control.

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye