If Chrome keeps opening its New Tab page instead of the site you use every morning, you can point it at a different site address. The startup page and the Home button are separate settings, so set each one where you need it.
Open Chrome Settings, choose On startup, and select Open a specific page or set of pages. Enter the full address, then turn on the Home button under Appearance if you want a toolbar shortcut to the same page.
In this guide, I have covered:
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Set Chrome’s Startup Page to Your Site Address
If Chrome opens the New Tab page instead of the site you check every morning, change the startup page. On a computer, Chrome’s settings page uses a left sidebar, so the option is easy to find without scrolling.
- Open Google Chrome on your computer.
- Click the More
menu in the top-right corner. - Select Settings from the menu.
- In the left sidebar, select On startup.
- Select Open a specific page or set of pages.
- Select beside the startup page list to create a new entry.
- Enter the full site address, including https://, in the URL field.
- Select to save the address.
You’ll know it worked when the site address appears in the startup page list and Chrome opens it at launch.
Set the Home Button to a Custom Address
If you want a one-click toolbar shortcut to the same page, set it under Appearance. This controls the shortcut’s destination, not the page that loads when Chrome starts.
- Open Google Chrome on your computer.
- Click the More menu in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- In the left sidebar, select Appearance.
- Turn on Show home button.
- Select Enter custom web address.
- Enter the full site address, including https://, in the URL field.
- Close the Settings tab.
You’ll know it worked when the Home button appears on the toolbar. Click it and confirm that it opens your custom site.
Check That Chrome Opens Your Site
If Chrome restores old tabs instead of opening your saved site, its startup behavior may be set to restore the previous session. Check that option before entering the URL again.
- Quit Chrome completely.
- Reopen Chrome on your computer.
- Look at the first page Chrome opens and check that it is the saved site.
If previous tabs reopen, return to On startup and select Open a specific page or set of pages instead of Continue where you left off.
If you cannot change the setting, your organization may be controlling Chrome’s startup behavior with a policy. Ask your administrator to check the Chrome policy for that computer or profile.
Chrome on Android uses a different homepage setting, so the computer steps do not apply to a phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
If Chrome still surprises you at launch, the answer is usually in one of these details.
Does changing the Home button also change Chrome’s startup page?
No. The Home button under Appearance controls the toolbar shortcut. Use On startup to control the page Chrome loads when it launches.
Can I add more than one startup page in Chrome?
Yes. Open a specific page or set of pages can hold multiple URLs, and Chrome opens the saved pages when it starts.
Why does Chrome restore old tabs instead of my saved site?
Check Continue where you left off under On startup. If it is selected, Chrome restores the previous session instead of using your saved startup pages.
What URL should I enter for a custom homepage?
Enter the complete address, including https://, such as https://example.com. This is the same kind of address you would type into Chrome’s address bar.
Why can’t I edit the On startup setting?
An organization policy may control Chrome’s startup behavior. If the option is locked, ask your administrator to check the Chrome policy for that computer or profile.
If your administrator clears the policy, set the startup page and the Home button separately, then restart Chrome to confirm both work.
