How to modify New Tab page behavior on your browser

Changing the default "New Tab" behavior on your internet browser helps you avoid other users to accidentally view your most visited websites. Also, this feature delays the load speed of your browser when you press the New Tab button. The New Tab feature exists today in most popular browsers e.g. Internet explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.. to help users quickly open their most visited sites with just one click. 

If you would like to set a custom URL for the "New Tab" in your browser,  then follow the instructions below.

Screenshot example after you have pressed New Tab page in Internet explorer:

How to change the default New Tab behavior in your browser.

Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox

Internet Explorer

How to change the default New Tab behavior in Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer and then open "Internet Options".

To do this from IE's file menu, choose "Tools" > "Internet Options".

Notice*: In the latest versions of IE press the "Gear" icon on the top right.

2. In General tab, click on Settings button at the Tabs section.

3. Click on the Drop down arrow under “When a new tab is opened, open:” settings to specify your preferred new tab behavior and then press ‘OK” twice to close Internet options.

4. Continue working with your browser.

Google Chrome

How to change the default New Tab behavior in Google Chrome

1. Go to Google Web store and Download and Install New Tab Redirect extension.
2. After the installation, click Set Options and specify the URL that you want to load when you open a "New tab" in Chrome.

Mozilla Firefox

How to change the default New Tab behavior in Mozilla Firefox

1: Open Firefox and in the address bar type: about:config

2.  Click on “I’ll be careful, I promise!” button to continue.

3. On search box type: newtab

4.  Double click to open “browser.newtab.url” entry

5. Change the string value to your preferred webpage (e.g. www.google.com) and click “OK”

6. Restart Firefox for changes take effect.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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