How to Customize the Microsoft Edge New Tab Page to Fit Your Needs

To customize the Microsoft Edge new tab page, open a new tab and click the gear icon in the top right corner. This opens the customization menu where you can change the page layout, manage quick links and widgets, and adjust the background image. This guide explains how to find these settings and use them to make your new tab page match your preferences.

Where do I find the settings to customize my new tab page?

1. Open a new tab by clicking the plus button next to your current tabs or pressing Ctrl+T (Cmd+T on Mac).
2. Look for a gear icon in the top right corner of the new tab page.
3. Click the gear icon to open the customization menu.

If you don't see the gear icon, ensure you are on the default new tab page, not a pinned page or one controlled by an extension, as those can hide the settings.

What layout and content options can I choose for the new tab?

Microsoft Edge offers three main layouts for the new tab page:

• Focused: A minimal design showing only the search bar and your quick links. This layout reduces distractions.
• Inspirational: Adds a daily changing background image along with the search bar and quick links for a visually appealing look.
• Informational: Includes news headlines, weather, and other widgets in addition to search and quick links, providing updates at a glance.

You can switch layouts anytime from the customization menu accessed by the gear icon. Each layout adjusts the page's look and the amount of content displayed.

How do I manage quick links and widgets on my new tab?

1. Open the customization menu by clicking the gear icon.
2. Find the section for quick links or content.
3. To add a quick link, click “Add a site,” then enter the site's URL and a name.
4. To remove a quick link, hover over it and click the close (X) icon or the three-dot menu, depending on your Edge version.
5. Rearrange quick links by dragging and dropping them into the order you prefer.
6. For widgets like news or weather, toggle them on or off within the customization settings.
7. Some widgets let you choose the specific content they show, such as selecting news topics or local weather.

Customizing quick links and widgets helps keep your new tab page relevant and focused on what you want.

How can I change or add a background image on the new tab page?

1. Click the gear icon to open the customization menu.
2. Under the background or image section, select from Microsoft’s collection of daily images that update automatically.
3. To use your own photo, choose the option to upload a custom image from your files.
4. To remove the background image, select the option to disable it, leaving a solid color or plain background.

These options let you make the new tab page dynamic, personal, or simple, depending on your preference.

How do I reset the new tab page if I want to start fresh?

1. Open a new tab and click the gear icon to open the customization menu.
2. Look for a reset or restore default option, usually labeled “Restore default” or “Reset layout.”
3. Click this option and confirm to remove all your customizations, including layout, quick links, widgets, and background images.

After resetting, the new tab page returns to Microsoft Edge’s standard default view. This is useful if your customizations aren't working or you want to start over.

Conclusion

Customizing the Microsoft Edge new tab page lets you create a space that suits how you work and what you want to see every time you open a new tab. You can easily change layouts, organize quick links and widgets, and personalize the background. If you want a fresh start, resetting the page is straightforward. This keeps your new tab page useful and visually appealing without distractions or irrelevant content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own photos as the new tab background?

Yes. Microsoft Edge lets you upload custom images from your files to use as the new tab background via the customization menu.

How do I remove unwanted quick links from my new tab page?

Hover over the quick link you want to remove and click the close (X) icon or the three-dot menu to delete it.

Is it possible to have no background image on the new tab page?

Yes. You can disable the background image to have a plain or solid color background for a cleaner look.

What happens if I reset the new tab page?

Resetting restores the new tab page to Microsoft Edge’s default settings, removing all your customizations like layouts, quick links, widgets, and backgrounds.