Change your new tab page by opening Chrome settings and picking a custom URL or search engine

Chrome does not have a built-in setting to change what appears when you open a new tab. Instead, you use an extension — a small program that adds features to Chrome. The extension replaces the default new tab page with whatever you choose: a blank page, a custom website, a to-do list, weather, news, or anything else hosted online.

The process takes about two minutes. You find an extension in the Chrome Web Store, add it to your browser, and the new tab page changes immediately. If you change your mind, you remove the extension the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • Chrome's default new tab page cannot be changed through settings — you must use an extension from the Chrome Web Store.
  • Popular replacements include Momentum (dashboard with weather and to-do lists), New Tab Redirect (custom URL), and Tabliss (minimalist background images).
  • After you add an extension, open a new tab to see the change take effect immediately.
  • You can remove an extension anytime by right-clicking its icon and selecting "Remove from Chrome".

Finding and installing an extension from the Chrome Web Store

Open Chrome and go to chrome.google.com/webstore. Search for "new tab" or browse the Extensions category. Read the description and reviews of each extension to understand what it does — some replace the page with a custom website, others add widgets like weather or a clock, and some let you set any URL you want.

Click the extension you want, then click the blue "Add to Chrome" button. A popup will appear asking what permissions the extension needs (for example, access to your browsing history or the ability to change your new tab page). Review these permissions and click "Add extension" to confirm. The extension installs immediately.

Most extensions add a small icon to the top right of Chrome, next to your profile picture. Some open a setup page where you can customize colors, fonts, or which widgets to display. Follow the on-screen instructions if one appears.

Popular extensions for replacing the new tab page

Momentum shows a full-screen dashboard with the time, weather, your location, a daily inspirational quote, and a to-do list. You can upload a custom background image or let it rotate through curated photos. It syncs your to-do list across devices if you create a free Momentum account.

New Tab Redirect lets you enter any URL — a personal website, a news site, a Google Doc, or a local file on your computer. When you open a new tab, Chrome navigates to that URL instead of showing the default page. This is useful if you want to land on a specific page every time, like your email inbox or a project dashboard.

Tabliss displays a minimalist new tab page with a high-quality background image, the time, and a search bar. You can customize the background source (Unsplash, Bing, or your own image), toggle the clock and search bar on or off, and choose a color scheme. It has no ads and no account required.

Speed Dial 2 replaces the new tab page with a grid of shortcuts to your most-visited websites, similar to what some other browsers offer by default. You can organize shortcuts into folders, add custom icons, and set a background image.

Customizing your new tab page after installation

After you install an extension, open a new tab to see what it looks like. Most extensions show a settings or gear icon somewhere on the page — click it to customize colors, fonts, background images, widgets, or which information displays.

Some extensions open a settings page in a new tab the first time you use them. Others require you to click their icon in the top right of Chrome and select "Options" or "Settings". Read the extension's description in the Chrome Web Store if you are not sure where to find customization options.

You can change your mind about which extension to use at any time. Install a different one, and it will replace the previous extension's new tab page. You do not need to uninstall the first one before adding a second one, though having multiple new tab extensions installed can cause conflicts — only one will actually control the new tab page.

Removing an extension you no longer want

Right-click the extension's icon in the top right of Chrome and select "Remove from Chrome". A confirmation popup will appear. Click "Remove" to confirm. The extension is deleted immediately, and your new tab page reverts to Chrome's default.

Alternatively, go to chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions, click "Manage extensions" in the left sidebar, find the extension in the list, and click the trash icon next to it.

Troubleshooting when the new tab page does not change

If you installed an extension but the new tab page still looks the same, open a brand new tab — do not refresh an existing one. Some extensions only take effect on newly opened tabs. If that does not work, restart Chrome completely by closing all windows and opening it again.

If multiple new tab extensions are installed, only one can control the new tab page at a time. Check which one is active by going to chrome://extensions, finding your new tab extensions, and looking for any error messages. Disable all but the one you want to use by clicking the toggle switch next to each extension's name.

If an extension stops working or shows an error, uninstall it and reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store. If the problem persists, try a different extension — some are no longer maintained by their creators and may not work with the latest version of Chrome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set a local file on my computer as the new tab page?

Yes, with the New Tab Redirect extension. Enter a file path like file:///C:/Users/YourName/Desktop/mypage.html (Windows) or file:///Users/YourName/Desktop/mypage.html (Mac) in the URL field. The extension will open that HTML file when you open a new tab, as long as the file exists and Chrome has permission to read it.

Will changing the new tab page slow down Chrome?

Most extensions have minimal impact on Chrome's speed. Lightweight extensions like Tabliss or New Tab Redirect use very little memory. Extensions that load many widgets or sync data to the cloud (like Momentum) may use slightly more resources, but the difference is usually not noticeable on modern computers.

Do I need to create an account to use a new tab extension?

No. Most extensions work without an account. Some, like Momentum, offer optional accounts to sync your settings and to-do lists across devices, but you can use them without signing up. Check the extension's description in the Chrome Web Store to see whether an account is required or optional.

What happens to my new tab page if I sync Chrome across devices?

Extensions sync across devices when you sign into Chrome with the same Google account. If you install a new tab extension on one computer, it will automatically install on other computers where you are signed in. However, custom settings (like background images or to-do list items) may not sync unless the extension specifically supports it — check the extension's description to confirm.

Can I use more than one new tab extension at the same time?

You can install multiple extensions, but only one will control the new tab page. If you have two new tab extensions active, Chrome will use whichever one was installed most recently, or whichever one you enabled last. To use a different one, disable the others by going to chrome://extensions and toggling them off.