Simple New Tab URL

Simply set the URL you want new tabs to load and it'll load it. No fluff.

Simple New Tab URL - Customize New Tab Page

Simple New Tab URL is a stripped-down Chrome extension that allows you to set the URL for new tabs to load, with options for syncing settings and enabling a light mode theme.
Install from Chrome Web Store

Extension stats

Users: 443
-12
Rating: 5.00
(9)
Version: 1.2.1 (Last updated: 2023-11-28)
Creation date: 2020-09-09
Risk impact: Low risk impact
Risk likelihood:
Manifest version: 3
Overrides new tab: Yes
Permissions:
  • storage
Size: 13.48K

Other platforms

Simple Notes (v3.7.3)
4.55 (155,331) 5,679,006+
Not available on Firefox
Not available on Edge
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Extension summary

Very similar to other "New Tab URL" redirect extensions but this one is stripped down to the bare essentials. There are 4 options available:

  • URL you want the new tab URL to be
  • whether you want the URL to be auto-highlighted/selected on new tab page load (or if you want the focus on new tab load to be on your page)
  • whether you wish to enable a light mode theme (it currently defaults to a dark theme)
  • whether chrome should sync this setting

Note: If your new tab url is a local file (i.e. it starts with "file://" rather than "http://") then you will have to enable the "Allow access to file URLs" permission for this extension on the Manage Extensions page.

See source code here: https://github.com/zach-adams/simple-new-tab-url Icon is "redo" by Mohamed Riyaz Ali from the Noun Project https://thenounproject.com/term/redo/1175677/

User reviews

A basic need for many (and which should be built into Chrome) is to have new tabs created with content from an internet page or a local page. After examining many of the alternative extensions, I have found that this one does that simple job best, and without extraneous and questionable "extras". Not only can it be local or remote, but it has the ability to optionally leave the focus and cursor in the search bar above the page after the page loads. This is important to me because it allows one to immediately type a query or paste text or a URL for quick use in the new tab.
by Robert Shaw, 2024-06-30

Only used it for a few minutes, so I can't speak to it's reliability - but it's the only "new tab" that defaults to dark FIRST, before loading the page - this stops that 'white flicker' you see whenever opening a new tab with other new-tab-url solutions (smart move!) and gives a control to toggle that to light if needed (great / simple solution - a follow OS setting or follow Chrome setting might be a nice addition on first glance). Anyhow - so far, light weight, does what I want, should be a capability built-into chrome IMO. Nice work and hope to see the addon get more traction!
by Fuji Lives, 2024-04-09

Excellent unlike most extensions that have this function, it has no bugs simple light open source
by NOCauseEffect, 2024-03-11
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Extension safety

Risk impact

Simple New Tab URL requires very minimum permissions.

Risk likelihood

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

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