Use the work computer for work stuff and get your own for everything else. The company has reasons for locking down the machines and mucking about with that can get you into deep doodoo very quickly.
this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2026
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If they are stupid enough not to install adblockers, their reasons for controlling the computer like that fail to impress me.
Agreed. That doesn't make mucking about a good idea, though.
If you’re at home, set up pihole or use an content-blocking DNS on your router. But then if you’re home, you should be using a personal device for non-work stuff. There are also a bunch of alternative (and some sketchy) front-ends for various websites.
I’ve honestly given up on getting around corporate controls and just completely separate personal stuff from work devices, especially nowadays when companies are going full big brother because of people using AI tools/agents and the chances of someone accidentally uploading stuff that shouldn’t be out there is getting increasingly common. So they are locking down stuff more and more, and increasing monitoring/surveillance.
Laptop is probably on a VPN, which will bypass your local DNS.
A second computer? Maybe a tablet or so. A holder for your phone.
If all you want to do is watch or listen to stuff while you work that might be easier.
Don't underestimate how much liberty you can get if you just install it via Microsoft store.
There's portable Firefox (lots of apps actually) packages also, no install necessary in the first place. Bummer if they are only allowed to run pre-approved applications. In this case OP would have to live with the ads. Although I'd question why such a locked-down environment wouldn't block ads via firewall in the first place.
There’s portable Firefox (lots of apps actually) packages also, no install necessary in the first place.
I'm sure we went through a phase at the day job where the (windows, ugh) machine was unable to execute apps not in the approved (unwritable) locations; local admins can execute a file saved specifically in C:\windows\tmp or so, just for installs. I'm not sure that's still in-place after the 10->11 downgrade, but I wouldn't be surprised. We're pretty locked-down, and while we can request exemptions for work-derived stuff, we have a large agreement confirming we never use the work gear outside of work stuff so I haven't needed to test the boundaries lately.
I work remotely and there's no such reg covering side-gig or home gear used for day-job stuff; can't be, if you think about it. So I KVM the pretty monitors and comfy keyboard over to the work box in the 9-5 and leave it absolutely untouched outside of that. It's even in its own DMZ because we're a small section of a larger shitbag global exploitation company and they could demand some whackadoo spy shit on us without us knowing, until we find out and tell the union.
So.
- you maybe can't run third-party apps without a local admin account
- KVM switch. I use the one also available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNS4RRY1 as HDMI is my floor tech level, but there are myriad variations to choose from.
That's it. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk, and hit the merch table in the lobby.
Many companies will allow ad blocking extensions if you just ask.
can't install anything, or add extensions, etc.
Can you install user apps (which don't require admin elevation) or is it truly nothing?
Firefox, for example can be installed as a user by just declining the admin prompt.
Otherwise you can snag a portable version.
May also be worth checking if the company maintains a list of approved software anywhere. Firefox probably won't even raise an eyebrow, but other software might, depending on your use.
Install a vm (or use wsl) and just work in Linux in there.
You get root, and can use software that respects you. For a speed penalty of course.
He can't install a vm
There are a lot of frontends you can use to access services:
https://github.com/mendel5/alternative-front-ends#youtube
Portable Firefox/Librewolf might be able to be pulled off.
Portable apps in general.
I was able to add a lot via Scoop: https://scoop.sh/ but your work computer might be too locked down.
I think that DuckDuckGo do this for video but I’m not sure