11 Tips to Customize Chrome Homepage or New Tab Page

Mehvish Mushtaq is a computer engineer by degree. Her love for Android and gadgets led her to develop the first Android app for Kashmir. Known as Dial Kashmir, she won the prestigious Nari Shakti award from the President of India. She has been writing about technology for 6+ years and her favorite categories include how-to guides, explainers, tips and tricks for Android, iOS/iPadOS, social media, and web apps.

Afam has been a content writer with Guiding Tech Media since August 2023. However, his experience in tech writing dates back to 2018, when he worked as a freelance writer for Make Tech Easier. Over the years, he has grown a reputation for publishing quality guides, reviews, tips, and explainer articles. His work is featured on top websites, including Technical Ustad, Windows Report, and Next of Windows. He has training as a Microsoft Certified Professional and has covered more Microsoft-related guides on these platforms.

1. Enable the Home Button in Chrome

Google Chrome doesn’t show the Home button by default. You can easily enable it from Chrome Settings. Let’s learn how to enable the Home button in Chrome:

Step 1:In the Chrome browser, click thethree-doticon > selectSettings.

Step 2:Go toAppearancefrom the left sidebar > enable the toggle forShow Home button.

The home icon will immediately appear before the address bar at the top. By default, the Home button will open the New Tab page. But you can change it to a custom website, as shown in the next tip.

2. Change the Website Linked to Home Button in Chrome

You can link any webpage to the Home button in Chrome. So, whenever you click on the Home button, the associated website will open. To set orchange the homepage in Chrome, follow these steps.

Step 1:In the Chrome browser, click thethree-doticon > selectSettings.

Step 2:ClickAppearance. Under Show home button, selectEnter custom web addressand enter/paste thelinkto the web page that you want to link to the Home button.

3. Open Custom Website in New Tab Page

Unfortunately, Google doesn’t offer a native feature to link a website to a New Tab page. You must use extensions to open a website when you open the New Tab page. You can also use extensions to enhance the functionality of the New Tab.

Check out the best extensions tocustomize the Chrome homepage.

Tip:Know how tochange tab color in Chrome.

4. Change the Background Color of the New Tab and Refresh It Daily

If you don’t like Chrome’s default white background color for the New Tab page, you can easily change it to a different color. This color will also apply to Chrome’s tabs and address bar.

Step 1: Open the new tab page and click theCustomize Chromebutton at the bottom.

Step 2: First, select acolorfrom the options. If you don’t find the desired color, click onChange theme.

Step 3:Click onSolid colors.

Step 4:Choose acolorof your liking to use as background color. If you want to try a new color every day, enable the toggle forRefresh daily.

Tip:Check out other ways tochange the background color in Chrome.

5. Use Background Image for New Tab and Refresh Daily

Instead of a dull, solid color, set a picture as the background of your new tab. Chrome offers a wide collection of background pictures.

Step 1:Click theCustomize Chromebutton on the new tab page.

Step 2: Go toChange theme.

Step 3: Scroll down, and you will find many picture albums. Click onany albumto see the pictures inside it.

Step 4:Click on a picture to use it as the background of your new tab page. Or, enable theRefresh dailytoggle to change the background image automatically daily.

Tip: Know how towatch YouTube while using another tabin Chrome.

6. Use a Custom Image as Chrome New Tab Page Background

Google Chrome doesn’t limit you to its set of pictures. You can upload your image and set it as the background for a New Tab page.

Step 1:Click theCustomize Chromebutton on the new tab page.

Step 2: Go toChange theme.

Step 3:Click onUpload an imageand choose theimagefrom your PC to set as the background picture in Chrome’s New Tab page.

Tip: To use the default background in Chrome, selectDefault Chromeunder Themes.

7. Hide or Show Website Shortcuts

If you want a clean homepage, disable website shortcuts below the search bar. Follow the steps below.

Step 1:Click theCustomize Chromebutton on the new tab page.

Step 2:Turn off the toggle forShow shortcuts.

You can switch between custom shortcuts or show the most frequently visited websites. Select the appropriate option.

8. Add Custom Website Shortcuts

If you select My Shortcuts in the above tip, you can keep your favorite websites as shortcuts in the New Tab page of Chrome. That way, you can access them as soon as you open the New Tab page or the homepage in Chrome.

Chrome allows you to add up to 10 shortcuts in the New Tab page. Click on theAdd shortcutbutton to add a new shortcut. If you don’t see the Add shortcut button, replace or remove any existing shortcuts, as shown next.

9. Edit or Remove Custom Website Shortcuts

You can edit the New Tab page. Simply follow the steps below.

Step 1:In the New Tab page, hover over the shortcut you want to edit or remove and click on thethree-dot icon.

Step 2:Click onEdit shortcutto change the name or URL of the shortcut. Or click onRemoveto delete the shortcut.

10. Change the Startup Page in Chrome

The Startup page is different from the Home page. So, customize it differently from the Home page. To change the Startup page in Chrome, follow these steps:

Step 1:In the Chrome browser, click thethree-doticon > selectSettings.

Step 2:SelectOn Startupfrom the left side > select theappropriateoption.

11. Use Certain Chrome Flags

Chrome offers many flags. These are experimental features; some may be used to customize the browser. To try out flags, navigate the path below and search for a flag you need.

SomeChrome flagsyou may try are:

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Last updated on 12 August, 2024

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