Microsoft Edge - Open new tab with a blank page

Lee Thacker 101 Reputation points
2024-05-24T16:46:48.2566667+00:00

Hi Folks,

How on earth can I set a new tab to be a blank page i.e ABOUT:BLANK and not a page full of M$ shovelware!

I know about extensions such as 'Blank Tab' but I don't want to use these due to security concerns.

Before I finally ditch Edge, I am just wondering if there is any update on how to achieve this?

Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge
A Microsoft cross-platform web browser that provides privacy, learning, and accessibility tools.
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  1. Raina Zhao - MSFT 2,870 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2024-05-27T06:47:49.03+00:00

    Hi @Lee Thacker

    You could configure the new tab page using Group policy or Registry key. Please refer to  NewTabPageLocation policy to configure it and note that This policy is available only on Windows instances that are joined to a Microsoft Active Directory domain, joined to Microsoft Azure Active Directory, or instances that enrolled for device management.

    And then go to "edge://policy" page to check if it is successfully configured.
    newtabpage policy

    The Blank page will be like as below when you open a new tab:
    New tab page 1

    Alternatively, you could also customize the new page layouts. 

    On the New Tab Page in Edge, there are few settings available that you can turn off to achieve this. Then you will get a new page just with the Microsoft logo and Bing Search box.
    custom page


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    Best Regards,

    Raina Zhao

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  2. olag_2 0 Reputation points
    2024-12-03T11:19:34.6333333+00:00

    I created https://about-blank.ch and it will stay blank.

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  3. DENNIS VAN MIERLO 0 Reputation points
    2025-03-03T09:28:47.1066667+00:00

    It is unbelievable that MICROS~1 forces users a page full of M$ shovelware and that the only way to disable this is a Group Policy Change or a Registry hack!

    The Registry key that worked for me:

    1. Create a new blank text file using Notepad.
    2. Copy everything between === BEGIN REG FILE === and === END REG FILE ===.
    3. Paste this in the blank text file.
    4. Save this to a file with the extension ".reg".
    5. Double click on this file to add this key to the Registry.
    6. Restart Edge.

    === BEGIN REG FILE ===

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]

    [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge\Recommended]

    "NewTabPageLocation"="about:blank"

    === END REG FILE ===

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