How to Customize Home Page Layout in Microsoft Edge [Guide]
Microsoft Edge has two settings that are easy to confuse: the home page and the new tab page. The home page is the page that opens when you click the Home button, while the new tab page appears when you open a new browser tab.
You can customize the new tab page using its settings menu. If you want Edge to open a particular website when you launch the browser, you can configure that separately under the startup settings.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to customize the home page layout in Microsoft Edge on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Customize Home Page Layout in Microsoft Edge
To customize the Microsoft Edge home page layout, open a new tab, select the Settings gear icon, and adjust the page layout, quick links, background, and content settings.
You can also change Edge’s startup page through Settings if you want a specific website to open when you launch the browser.
Let’s start in detail!
Step 1: Open the New Tab Page Settings
First, open Microsoft Edge on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer.
Click the + (New tab) button beside your existing tabs. You should see the default Edge new tab page, which usually includes a search box, website shortcuts, and a news or content feed.
Look for the gear icon in the upper-right area of the page. Depending on your Edge version and window size, it may appear as Page settings or a similar control.
Click the gear icon to open the page customization options. This is where you can change the appearance and behavior of the new tab page without installing an extension or changing Windows display settings.
If the gear icon isn’t visible, maximize the browser window and check again. Some options may also vary depending on your Edge version, account settings, or organizational policies.
Step 2: Choose Your Preferred Page Layout
Microsoft Edge offers different new tab page layouts, although the available choices can change between versions.
After opening Page settings, look for the Layout section. Depending on your version, you may see options such as Focused, Inspirational, Informational, or Custom.
The Focused layout generally keeps the page simple, with the search box and fewer additional elements. It’s a good choice if you want to get online quickly without distractions.
The Inspirational layout typically emphasizes a background image, while the Informational layout provides more content, including news or other information beneath the search area.
Choose the layout that best fits the way you use Edge. If you want more control over individual page elements, select Custom when available.
After selecting a layout, check the page to see how the changes look. You can return to Page settings anytime to experiment with another option.
Step 3: Customize the Page Elements
If you want more control over the layout, look for the Custom option in Page settings.
Depending on your Edge version, you may be able to control elements such as quick links, greeting text, the background, and content displayed below the search box.
Turn off any elements you don’t use. For example, if you don’t want a greeting or additional information taking up space, disable the corresponding option if it is available.
You can also hide certain content areas to create a cleaner browsing experience. Keep in mind that not every Edge version displays the same customization controls, and some settings may be grouped under different headings.
After making your changes, close the settings panel and review the new tab page. If the page still feels crowded, return to the customization options and disable any remaining elements you don’t need.
Step 4: Add or Remove Quick Links
Quick links let you open frequently visited websites directly from the Edge new tab page. They can save time if you regularly visit your email, work dashboard, favorite news site, or other online services.
Open a new tab and look below the search box for the row of website shortcuts. If quick links aren’t visible, open Page settings and enable the relevant option.
To add a shortcut, look for the Add shortcut tile, usually represented by a plus sign. Click it and enter the website’s name and URL in the fields provided. Select Add to save the shortcut.
To remove an existing shortcut, move your pointer over the tile and open its three-dot menu if available. Choose the option to remove it.
You may also be able to edit a shortcut’s name or web address through the same menu.
Keep your most frequently used websites on the page so you can reach them with a single click. If you prefer a minimal layout, disable quick links or remove shortcuts you no longer need.
Step 5: Change the New Tab Page Background
A background image can make the Edge new tab page more personal. If you prefer a plain, distraction-free appearance, you may also be able to reduce or disable background imagery.
Open the new tab page and select the gear icon. Look for Background or a similar option in the customization panel.
Depending on your version, Edge may offer daily images, custom images, or other background choices. Select an available option and preview the result.
If Edge provides an option to upload a custom image, choose it and select a suitable picture from your computer. Use an image you have permission to use, especially if you’re customizing a browser on a shared or work computer.
If you don’t want a changing background, choose a static option when available. If background controls are missing, check for a browser update or review the current Page settings options.
Remember that the new tab page background is separate from your Windows desktop wallpaper. Changing one won’t automatically change the other.
Step 6: Hide or Customize the News Feed
The Edge new tab page may display news articles, trending stories, and other content below the search box. Although this can be useful, it may also make the page feel cluttered.
To adjust the feed, open a new tab and click the gear icon. Look for the Content section or settings related to news and page content.
Depending on the available options, you may be able to select a content style, reduce the amount of information displayed, or turn off the feed entirely.
If a separate news feed control appears on the page, use it to adjust the content settings. Some versions also let you personalize the feed by selecting topics or interests.
After changing the settings, return to the new tab page and check whether the news content has been reduced or hidden.
If your goal is a simple page with just a search box and shortcuts, choose the least content-heavy layout and disable any additional content controls available to you.
Step 7: Set a Custom Home Page Website
If you want Edge to open a specific website whenever you click the Home button, configure the browser’s home button settings.
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner. Select Settings.
Choose Start, Home, and New Tabs from the left sidebar, or find the equivalent section in your version of Edge.
Look for the option that controls the Home button. Turn it on if necessary, then select the option to enter a custom web address.
Enter the complete URL of the website you want to use, such as your preferred search engine or a frequently visited website. Make sure the address is correct before saving or leaving the field.
Now, when you click the Home button on the Edge toolbar, the browser should open your selected website.
This setting is separate from the new tab page layout. Setting a custom home page does not necessarily change what appears when you click the New tab button.
Step 8: Choose What Opens When Microsoft Edge Starts
You can also configure Edge to open a particular page or set of pages when you launch the browser.
Open Settings > Start, home, and new tabs.
Find the section labeled When Edge starts or a similar startup setting. Select the option that opens a specific page or pages, if available.
Choose Add a new page and enter the website URL you want Edge to open at startup. Repeat the process if you want multiple websites to open in separate tabs.
If you prefer to return to the pages you were browsing previously, select the option to continue where you left off, when available.
Keep in mind that startup settings control what opens when Edge launches. They don’t automatically determine the layout of every new tab.
After configuring your preferred option, close Settings and restart Edge to check whether the change works as expected.
Reset the Layout if You Don’t Like the Changes
If your new tab page becomes cluttered or you accidentally change several settings, you can return to Page settings and adjust the options again.
Open a new tab, click the gear icon, and choose a simpler layout. Turn off unnecessary content, remove unwanted quick links, and select a background that suits your preferences.
If a particular option is missing, make sure Microsoft Edge is up to date by opening Settings > About Microsoft Edge. Edge will check for available updates and may install them automatically.
Avoid resetting the entire browser just to change the new tab page. A full browser reset can affect other settings, including startup behavior and extensions, so it’s usually unnecessary for basic layout customization.
Once you’re happy with the result, open a few new tabs to confirm that your preferred layout appears consistently.
FAQs
1. Can I change the home page layout in Microsoft Edge?
Yes. Open a new tab, select the gear icon, and use Page settings to adjust the layout, background, quick links, and available content options.
2. How do I remove news articles from the Edge home page?
Open Page settings on the new tab page and look for the Content or news feed options. Choose a minimal content setting or turn off the feed if your version supports it.
3. Can I set Google as my Edge home page?
Yes. Open Settings > Start, home, and new tabs, enable the Home button if necessary, and enter Google’s website address. You can also change the default search engine separately if you want searches from the address bar to use Google.
4. Why can’t I see the Page settings gear icon?
The gear icon may be hidden because of your browser window size, a change in Edge’s interface, or organizational restrictions. Maximize Edge, open a new tab, and check the page settings area again.
5. Does changing the Edge home page affect my new tab page?
Not necessarily. The Home button, startup pages, and new tab page are controlled by separate settings. You may need to configure each one individually to get the browsing experience you want.
Summary
Customizing the home page layout in Microsoft Edge is a simple way to make browsing more comfortable and productive. Start by opening a new tab and using the Page settings menu to choose a layout, manage quick links, change the background, and adjust the news feed.
If you want a particular website to open when you click the Home button or launch Edge, configure those options separately under Start, Home, and new tabs.
With a few adjustments, you can create an Edge experience that fits your needs, whether you prefer a clean page with just a search box or a more informative layout with shortcuts and news.