website preferences in safari does not have pop up windows setting

No, that's not going to do what you want. The fact that it works in another user account means there's nothing wrong with the app itself. You need to sort out the issue in your users folder.

For starters, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Startup Items and delete whatever is there using the minus (-) button, You can always add it back with the (+) button. Restart and test.

Try setting up another admin user account in System Preferences/Users & Groups to see if the same problem continues. Please post back on whether or not this worked. Also try the Safe Mode. Please post back on whether or not this worked.

Isolating an issue by using another user account 

Safe Mode - About

If it works in the Safe Mode, try running this program when booted normally and then copy and paste the output in a reply. The program was created by Etresoft, a frequent contributor.  Please use copy and paste as screen shots can be hard to read. Click “Share Report” button in the toolbar, select “Copy to Clipboard” and then paste into a reply. This will show what is running on your computer. No personal information is shown. If the log won’t post, try posting it in Pastebin and provide a link in a reply. After pasting the report in a PasteBin page, go to the top of the page, and copy the address in the URL bar. Paste that in a new reply.        Pastebin

Etrecheck – System Information

You may need to reinstall the OS to get a new copy of Safari.

My guess would be that BitDefender altered the Safari settings. Try booting into Recovery Mode and reinstalling High Sierra without BItDefender.

About macOS Recovery - Apple Support

This should be an install "in place" and should not affect any of your own data. But that said it's always a good idea to have a backup.