What opens when you create a new tab in Chrome
When you open a new tab in Chrome, you see the New Tab Page — a blank screen with a Google search box, shortcuts to your most-visited sites, and sometimes news cards or weather. You can replace this entire page with something else: a blank page, a custom website, a local file on your computer, or one of Chrome's built-in themes.
The change happens in Chrome's settings and takes effect when ready. You do not need an extension or a separate program. Chrome stores your choice and applies it every time you open a new tab, in any window.
Key Takeaways
- Open Chrome settings, go to the Appearance section, and choose what appears on your New Tab Page from the dropdown menu.
- You can set the New Tab Page to a blank page, keep Google's default, or point it to any website or local file you choose.
- If you want a custom page, you can use a local HTML file on your computer or any public website URL.
- Extensions can also change your New Tab Page, and they override your manual settings — uninstall the extension to restore your choice.
How to open Chrome settings and find the New Tab Page option
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings from the menu. On the left side, click Appearance.
Look for the section labeled New Tab Page. You will see a dropdown menu with options. The current setting is already selected. Click the dropdown to see what is available.
The three main choices for your New Tab Page
Google's default New Tab Page shows the Google search box, your shortcuts, and sometimes news cards. This is the standard option. If you have turned off news cards or shortcuts before, they stay off even if you select this option again.
A blank page opens with nothing on it — no search box, no shortcuts, no cards. This is useful if you want a clean slate every time you open a new tab, or if you prefer to type a full URL rather than use shortcuts.
A custom URL lets you point the New Tab Page to any website or local file. Type the full address in the text field that appears when you select this option. For example, you could use https://example.com or file:///C:/Users/YourName/Documents/mypage.html on Windows, or file:///Users/YourName/Documents/mypage.html on Mac. The page you choose will load every time you open a new tab.
Using a local HTML file as your New Tab Page
If you want a custom page without hosting it online, you can create an HTML file on your computer and point Chrome to it. Open a text editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac), write or paste your HTML code, and save the file with a .html extension in a folder you can find easily — like your Documents folder.
In Chrome settings, select the custom URL option and type the full file path. On Windows, it looks like file:///C:/Users/YourName/Documents/mypage.html. On Mac, it looks like file:///Users/YourName/Documents/mypage.html. Make sure you include file:/// at the start. Chrome will load that file every time you open a new tab.
If you change the file later, Chrome will show the updated version the next time you open a new tab. If you move or delete the file, Chrome will show an error instead.
When extensions override your New Tab Page setting
Some extensions change the New Tab Page without asking. If you have installed an extension that does this, it will override whatever you set in Chrome settings. You will see the extension's page instead of your choice.
To find which extension is doing this, go to Chrome settings, click Extensions on the left, and look for any extension that mentions "New Tab" in its description. You can also check by opening a new tab — if it is not showing what you set, an extension is likely in control.
To restore your own setting, uninstall the extension. Click the three dots next to the extension's name and select Remove from Chrome. Your New Tab Page choice will take effect when ready. If you want to keep the extension but use your own New Tab Page, some extensions have their own settings where you can turn off the New Tab Page override.
Troubleshooting a New Tab Page that will not change
If your New Tab Page does not change after you update the setting, an extension is almost certainly overriding it. Check the Extensions page as described above and uninstall any extension related to the New Tab Page.
If you are using a custom URL and the page does not load, check that the address is correct. For local files, make sure the file still exists in the location you specified. For websites, make sure you included https:// or http:// at the start of the URL. If the file or website is no longer available, Chrome will show an error page.
If you have recently updated Chrome and your custom setting disappeared, it may have been reset. Go back to settings and re-enter your choice — this is rare, but it can happen after a major update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different New Tab Page for each Chrome profile?
Yes. Each profile in Chrome has its own settings. If you have multiple profiles, you can set a different New Tab Page for each one. Open the profile you want to change, go to settings, and adjust the New Tab Page option. The change applies only to that profile.
What if I want to use a website as my New Tab Page but it requires a login?
You can use any website URL, including one that requires a login. The first time you open a new tab, you will see the login page. Log in, and Chrome will remember your session. The next time you open a new tab, you will see the page you logged into — as long as your session stays active.
Does changing the New Tab Page affect my home page or search engine?
No. The New Tab Page is separate from your home page (the page that opens when you click the home button) and your search engine (where searches go when you use the address bar). You can change each one independently in Chrome settings.
Can I make the New Tab Page show my bookmarks or history?
Not directly through Chrome settings. The built-in options are blank, Google's default, or a custom URL. If you want a page that shows your bookmarks or history, you would need to create a custom HTML file or use an extension designed for that purpose.
Will my New Tab Page setting sync across my devices?
If you are signed into the same Google account on multiple devices and have sync turned on, your New Tab Page setting will sync across them. If you use a custom URL, Chrome will try to load that URL on each device — but if it is a local file path, it will only work on the device where the file exists.