You can customize the Microsoft Edge home page by opening a new tab and accessing its Page settings menu. From there, you can choose a page layout, manage quick links, adjust content visibility, and personalize the background.
Let’s learn everything in detail!
Customize Home Page Layout in Microsoft Edge
To Customize the Edge Home Page:
- Open Microsoft Edge on your Windows PC.
- To access the layout options, open a new tab.
- To customize the page, select the gear icon or Page settings option.
- To change the appearance, choose a layout such as Focused, Inspirational, or Informational, depending on the options available.
- To personalize the page, adjust the quick links, background, and content visibility settings.
- To finish, close the settings panel and check your updated home page.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge and Access a New Tab
First, launch Microsoft Edge on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer. You can open it from the Start menu, the taskbar, or a desktop shortcut if you have one available.
Once Edge opens, select the New tab button next to your existing tabs. You can also press Ctrl + T on your keyboard to open a new tab instantly. This brings up the Edge new tab page, which commonly includes a search box, quick links, and a news or content feed.
Keep in mind that the new tab page and the home page are not always the same thing. The new tab page appears when you open a fresh tab, while the Home button takes you to a page configured through Edge’s appearance or startup settings. If your goal is to change the layout you see when opening new tabs, continue with the following steps.
Navigation path: Microsoft Edge > New tab > New tab page.
Step 2: Open the Page Settings Menu
After opening a new tab, look for the gear icon or the Page settings option on the page. Depending on your Edge version and screen size, this option may appear near the upper-right area of the new tab page.
Click the icon to open the customization panel. This panel contains the available options for changing the page’s appearance and controlling which sections are displayed. You may see settings related to page layout, quick links, background images, content feeds, and other elements.
If you don’t immediately see the gear icon, maximize the browser window and check the upper-right portion of the page again. Some options can appear differently depending on the browser version, account settings, or organizational policies.
Navigation path: Microsoft Edge > New tab > Gear icon > Page settings.
Step 3: Choose Your Preferred Page Layout
Now it’s time to choose how you want your Edge new tab page to look. In the Page settings panel, locate the Layout section. Depending on your version of Edge, you may see options such as Focused, Inspirational, Informational, or Custom.
The Focused layout is a good choice if you prefer a simple page with fewer distractions. It generally emphasizes the search experience and keeps the page relatively uncluttered.
The Inspirational layout typically adds a background image while maintaining a comparatively simple appearance. It’s useful if you want a more visually appealing page without displaying too much additional content.
The Informational layout generally displays more content, such as news stories and other information below the search area. Choose this option if you like checking updates while browsing.
Some Edge versions also provide a Custom option that lets you control individual page elements. Select the layout that best fits your needs, then review the changes on the page.
Navigation path: New tab > Page settings > Layout > Select your preferred layout.
Step 4: Customize Quick Links
Quick links make it easier to visit your favorite websites without typing their addresses every time. Depending on your current layout and settings, these shortcuts may appear below the search box.
To manage them, open the Page settings panel and look for the Quick links option. You may be able to show or hide the links, change their arrangement, or adjust how many appear on the page.
If you want to add a website, look for an Add shortcut button or a plus sign in the quick links section. Enter the website’s name and address, then save the shortcut if prompted. For example, you could add your email service, work portal, favorite shopping website, or an online learning platform.
You can also remove shortcuts you no longer use. Look for the menu associated with a particular shortcut, often represented by three dots, and select the removal option if available.
Keeping only your most frequently visited websites in this section makes the page easier to navigate.
Navigation path: New tab > Page settings > Quick links > Add, remove, or manage shortcuts.
Step 5: Change the Home Page Background
If you want to personalize the appearance of Edge, check the Background settings. Depending on the available options, you may be able to use a daily image, a static image, or a custom background.
Open the Page settings panel and locate the background or background image section. Select your preferred option from those available. If Edge offers an option to upload a personal image, follow the on-screen instructions to choose a suitable picture from your computer.
A landscape, nature photograph, or simple abstract image can make the page feel more personal. If you prefer a cleaner look, choose a plain background when that option is available or turn off background images.
Remember that background customization on the new tab page may be separate from the browser’s overall theme. Changing the background image does not necessarily change the colors of the toolbar, tabs, or menus.
Navigation path: New tab > Page settings > Background > Choose an available background option.
Step 6: Adjust the Content Feed
Microsoft Edge can display news stories and other content on its new tab page. If you enjoy browsing headlines, this feature can be useful. However, if you prefer a distraction-free workspace, you may want to reduce or hide the content feed.
Open Page settings and look for options related to Content, Content visibility, or the news feed. The exact labels may vary between Edge versions. Depending on the available controls, you may be able to show more content, display a smaller feed, or hide it entirely.
If you want a cleaner page, select the option that minimizes or disables the feed. If you prefer to see headlines, choose a content-rich setting and explore any available personalization options.
Some versions of Edge let you adjust the content layout or personalize the topics displayed. If these options are available, use them to make the feed more relevant to your interests.
Navigation path: New tab > Page settings > Content or Content visibility > Adjust the feed.
Step 7: Customize Additional Page Elements
Depending on your Edge version, you may find additional options for displaying elements such as weather information, greeting messages, notifications, or other page components.
Review the available controls in the Page settings panel. Turn off elements you don’t need and keep the ones that help you access information quickly. For example, you might keep quick links visible while hiding unnecessary content sections.
Some options may depend on your Microsoft account, regional availability, or browser configuration. If a particular setting doesn’t appear on your computer, it may not be supported in your current version.
You can also explore Settings > Appearance to adjust the browser’s overall appearance, including themes and other interface options. These settings affect the browser interface rather than necessarily changing every element of the new tab page.
Navigation path: Microsoft Edge > New tab > Page settings > Available page elements.
Step 8: Set or Change the Home Button Destination
If you want the Home button to open a particular website, you can configure its destination separately from the new tab layout.
Open the Edge menu by clicking the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner. Select Settings, then open Start, home, and new tabs. Look for the option that controls the Home button and enable it if necessary.
Depending on your version, you may be able to choose whether the Home button opens the new tab page or a specific URL. If you prefer a particular website, enter its web address in the available field and save the change if prompted.
For example, you could set your preferred search engine, email service, or company website as the Home button destination. This setting is especially helpful if you want the Home button to open a different page from the one displayed when you create a new tab.
Navigation path: Settings > Start, home, and new tabs > Home button > Choose a destination.
Step 9: Review and Save Your Changes
Once you’ve adjusted the layout, quick links, background, and content feed, close the Page settings panel. Most new tab page customization options apply automatically, so you generally don’t need to click a separate Save button.
Open another new tab by pressing Ctrl + T and check whether the page looks the way you want. Confirm that your preferred shortcuts appear, the background looks correct, and the content feed displays the amount of information you selected.
If the changes don’t appear, reopen Page settings and verify your selections. You can also update Microsoft Edge by opening Settings > About Microsoft Edge and checking whether an update is available.
If you’re using a work or school computer, an administrator may manage some browser settings. In that case, certain customization options may be unavailable or may revert to an organization-defined configuration.
Navigation path: Microsoft Edge > New tab > Review your layout > Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
FAQs
1. How do I change the home page layout in Microsoft Edge?
Open a new tab, select the gear icon or Page settings option, and choose an available layout. You can then customize quick links, the background, and content visibility.
2. Why can’t I see the Page settings gear icon in Edge?
The icon’s position and availability can vary by browser version and configuration. Try maximizing the Edge window, opening a fresh tab, and checking the upper-right area. If the option remains unavailable, update Edge or check whether your organization manages the browser settings.
3. Can I remove news from the Microsoft Edge home page?
Yes, in versions that offer content controls. Open Page settings and look for Content or Content visibility. Select an option that hides or minimizes the news feed.
4. How do I add a website to the Edge new tab page?
Look for Quick links on the new tab page. Select Add shortcut or the plus sign if available, enter the website’s name and URL, and save it.
5. Can I use my own picture as the Edge background?
Some versions of Edge offer an option to upload a personal image. Open Page settings and check the Background section. If a custom upload option is available, select an image from your computer and apply it.
6. What is the difference between the Edge home page and the new tab page?
The home page is the destination opened by the Home button, while the new tab page appears when you create a new tab. You can configure the Home button destination separately from the new tab page layout.
7. Why do my Edge layout settings keep changing?
Possible reasons include browser updates, synchronization, organization policies, or changes to your new tab page preferences. Review your settings and check whether your device is managed by a workplace or school.