How to Customize a New Tab Page in Chrome

Give your Chrome New Tab page a personalized look and feel

What to Know

  • With stock image: In Chrome, select the three dot menu in the upper-right corner > New Tab > Customize > Background tab. Choose a category. Select a thumbnail > Done.
  • With your image: In Chrome, select File > New Tab > Customize > Upload from device. Locate the image and select Open.

This article explains how to customize a new tab page in Chrome using a Chrome stock image or by uploading one of your own images. It includes information on using extensions to customize a New Tab page.

Customize the Chrome New Tab Page Background With a Stock Image

Google Chrome is a popular, secure, and powerful web browser that offers many customization options. When you open a new tab in Chrome, you may want to personalize the page's look and feel.

Changing the Chrome New Tab page is different from changing the Chrome Homepage, which is the page that opens when you enable the Chrome Home button.

One way to change the background image on a Chrome New Tab page is to use one of Chrome's stock images.

  1. In Chrome, open a new tab by selecting the three dot menu in the upper-right corner > New Tab.

    In Chrome, open a new tab by selecting File > New Tab.

    Alternatively, select the plus sign at the top of the Chrome window to quickly open a new tab, or press Ctrl+T (Windows and Linux) or Command+T (Mac).

  2. Select Customize from the lower-right corner of the page.

    Select Customize from the lower-right right corner of the page.
  3. Select the Background tab.

    Select the Background tab.
  4. Select an image category, such as Textures, Landscapes, Art, or Seascapes.

    Select an image category, such as Textures, Landscapes, Art, or Seascapes.
  5. Select an image thumbnail, and then select Done.

    Select a thumbnail image and select Done

You've set a new background image for your Chrome New Tab page.

Google Chrome stock background for New Tab page

Customize the Chrome New Tab Page Background With Your Image

It's also easy to choose from your photos and images when setting a background picture for your Chrome New Tab page.

  1. In Chrome, open a new tab by selecting File > New Tab.

    In Chrome, open a new tab by selecting File > New Tab.

    Alternatively, select the plus sign at the top of the Chrome window to quickly open a new tab, or press Ctrl+T (Windows and Linux) or Command+T (Mac).

  2. Select Customize from the lower-right corner of the page.

    Select Customize from the lower-right right corner of the page.
  3. Select Upload from device.

    Select Upload from device.
  4. Navigate to the image you want to use on your device, and then select Open.

    Navigate to the image you want to use on your device, and then select Open.

You've set your new background image using your own photo.

A custom image used as a New Tab background

At any time, go back and select No background from the Categories menu to revert the New Tab page to its default.

Change the New Tab Page Using Chrome Extensions

Various Chrome extensions allow you to add or change your New Tab page's background image and functionality. There are New Tab extensions that remove website shortcuts, add productivity tools, greet you with inspirational quotes, share the weather and news, and more. Here's how to find and add a New Tab extension.

It's best to add only one New Tab extension at a time because more than one can cause errors and degrade functionality.

  1. Navigate to the Chrome Web Store.

    The Chrome Web Store
  2. Type "new tab" into the search bar and then press Enter or Return on the keyboard.

    Type “new tab” into the search bar and press Enter.
  3. Select Extensions from the menu on the left.

    Select Extensions from the menu on the left.
  4. Browse the available extensions and select the one you'd like to try. In this example, we'll add Homey: Productivity Start Page.

    Chrome web store with Homey Productivity Start Page highlighted
  5. After you select an extension, you'll go to its page. Select Add to Chrome.

    Select Add to Chrome.
  6. Select Add Extension to confirm.

    Select Add Extension to confirm.
  7. The extension's icon is added to your Chrome toolbar. Select it to launch the extension.

    The extension's icon will be added to your Chrome toolbar
  8. Explore your New Tab page extension's features and customization functionality.

    Chrome browser with Homey extension installed

How to Uninstall a New Tab Extension

If you change your mind about a Chrome New Tab extension, it's easy to remove it and go back to a previous New Tab page background image.

  1. From the upper-right corner of the Chrome window, select More (three dots) and then select Settings.

    From the top right of the Chrome window, select More (three dots) and then select Settings.
  2. Select Extensions.

    Select Extensions.
  3. Locate the extension and then select Remove

    Select Remove
  4. Select Remove to confirm.

    Select Remove again to confirm.
  5. You've successfully removed the extension.

    You've successfully removed the extension.
  6. Your New Tab page reverts to your previously set image, and you don't have access to any of the extension's features.

    New Tab page with kitten and puppy
  7. To restore the Chrome New Tab default page, select the Edit icon (pen) from the lower-right corner.

    Select the edit icon to change the new tab page
  8. Select No Background and then select Done to revert to Chrome's default New Tab page.

    Select No Background and then Done to revert to Chrome's default New Tab page.
  9. You're back to Chrome's default New Tab page. Select Customize at any time to make changes.

    Chrome's default new tab page

You can also customize the New Tab page by removing shortcuts.

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