Custom New Tab URL

Name: Custom New Tab URL
Rating: 4.381818181818182 (110 reviews)
Author: publisher

Customize the new tab URL.

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Custom New Tab URL is a simple yet powerful Chrome extension that allows you to customize the URL of your new tab page. Unlike the default Chrome new tab that shows a search bar and browsing history, this extension lets you set any webpage link or local file path to open each time you create a new tab. It is lightweight, user-friendly, and enhances your browsing experience by giving you full control over your new tab content.

For users who prefer a dark browsing experience, enabling Chrome's built-in dark mode flag (chrome://flags/#enable-force-dark) offers a seamless dark interface. Note that since Chrome version 118.0.5993.71, to use local files as the new tab page, you must enable the "Allow access to file URLs" option in the extension’s details page under Chrome's manage extensions section. This extension is perfect for users wanting a more personalized, productive, or visually pleasing new tab experience.

Extension Productivity Utilities

By:

publisher

Users:

30,000

Rating:

4.38

(110)

Version:

1.1.5 Last updated: 2023-10-18

Creation date:

2018-12-05

Risk:

Permissions:

storage

Size:

82.11K

Email:

gs*****@oeg.com.br

Full description:

Source:

Chrome Web Store

Updated:

14 hours ago

Ranking

# 4,601 ▲ 92

Other rankings

#2888 in Workflow & Planning

#14 in new tab keyword 48

#35 in new tabs keyword 48 ▼ 5

#128 in options keyword 16 ▲ 8

#134 in flag keyword 24

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User reviews

Custom New Tab URL enables users to easily set a preferred page for new tabs, providing a lightweight and straightforward solution that avoids refreshing issues. However, multiple users report Chrome disabling the extension repeatedly and restrictions with some URLs (especially local files and popular websites). Additionally, Chrome prompts to revert new tab changes and some confusion exists around local file setup. Despite these cons, users appreciate the ability to customize new tabs beyond Chrome's default limitations.

Pros

Allows setting a custom new tab URL, fulfilling a common user desire.
Easy to set up and straightforward to use.
Lightweight and does not request unnecessary permissions.
Works well without refreshing the new tab, allowing immediate typing in the address bar.
Supports using extension URLs as new tab pages.

Cons

Chrome sometimes disables the extension after a day or repeatedly, causing it to stop working.
Does not work with certain URLs or protocols, such as some local file paths (file://) or some websites like google.com or yandex.ru due to Chrome restrictions.
Users experience annoying pop-ups from Chrome asking to change the new tab back to default, which can't be disabled.
Some users find the extension confusing on how to register or set local files as the new tab URL.

Recent reviews

Works fine for me. It would be better if Chrome had a built-in option to do this, but the extension works fine.

St*****, 2025-04-22

Работает.

Ал*****, 2025-02-17

I tried setting the URL to: chrome-extension://edacconmaakjimmfgnblocblbcdcpbko/session-buddy.html ... and got a "This page has been blocked by Chrome" error page

St*****, 2025-02-16

View all user reviews ›

Extension safety

Risk impact

Custom New Tab URL requires very minimum permissions.

Risk impact analysis details

Medium Can alter new tab settings; fairly benign but with some capability to affect user experience.

Risk likelihood

Custom New Tab URL has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

Risk likelihood analysis details

High This extension has low user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.
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