I’m really enjoying using Edge, it’s a shame Microsoft keep trying to make it difficult to not use Bing/injecting their content.
By default, even if you change your default start page, new tabs will open a mess of Adverts and content.
You can use the cog on the top right to tune this down to a “focused” mode and turn of “quick links”, which is much better.
But if you still want to just land on a blank page or the page of your choice you need a browser add-on.
I used this one: Custom New Tab – Microsoft Edge Addons
Edge will disable it by default, as it’s messing with core functionality (basically to avoid add-ons clickjacking your home page, which is fair enough).
If you are not sure about giving an add on that much control, feel free to stick with the focus mode.
To turn on the extension:
- At the top corner of the browser, select Settings and more > Extensions.
- Locate the extension you’d like to turn on, then select the toggle to turn it on.
Then on first opening a new tab you will be warned
And you can set the new tab URL to whatever you want:
This seems to also overwrite your start page for the first browser launch, but that’s OK for me too.
It’s not acceptable that Microsoft forces Bing on users of Edge. This is the primary reason I still don’t use Edge and it’s fall 2021. The Bing homepage is so distracting I can never get anything done while using it. Sooo…Chrome gets my vote. Change forcing content on me, and I might change my mind.
spot on
Thanks for the solution, works a treat.
Thank you! This has been driving me nuts and your post was very helpful!
Thank you so much! I like Edge but having MS Bing open with every new tab and not being able to choose what I want to see was driving me bonkers. Decided to look for a solution and found this. Works like a charm! :)
Thank You!!! This fixed a “problem” (defaulting to Bing) I’ve had for more than a year!
Perfect instructions – it worked!
Tom, why can’t I just set the desired page right within Edge?
I do not want to start loading more programs, other SW companies, etc.
Can’t Microsoft by happy I am using Edge and respect I want to use a different search tool?
I was looking for this. I hate the distraction of the default Bing Adverts / News. I’m better off with Google as my homepage. Thank you.
This extension is being turned off by Edge on daily basis. Is there any remedy to that? It’s sickening.
thx soooooooooooooo much Tom – I detest that MS make this so hard – thank u for sorting it out for me
glad i found this, works like a charm
PTL !!! Thanks !!!
Thank you very much! I am switching from Chrome and this has saved the focused working experience.
This worked great, thank you!
Thank god. My mental health has been tanking from being forced to view doomsday news every time I need a new tab. Thank you for the tip.
I was very annoyed at the messy ads and content when I open a new tab in Edge. I tried to change it in setting but didn’t work. Then I googled how to change new tab URL in Edge and found your article. I followed it and it worked perfectly. Thank you!
This absolutely works. Just used it. Save this as a .REG file and run it.
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdgeRecommended]
“NewTabPageLocation”=”http://www.google.com/”