How do I change what a registry does in Windows (10)?

Question

I have been trying to take a new tab in edge open right to google. I have tried adding a string value called NewTabPageURL and setting the value to www.google.com in numerous locations, but this hasn't worked. In MicrosoftEdge\ServiceUI, I can see the registry that controls what a new tab will be (their 3 options, blank page, feed, feed and your top websites it is called NewTabPageDisplayOption). I have the value set to 1 which will open a new page with top websites. Can I change what the value 1 does to open to google, or add a new value after 2 that can do this?

Answer 1

I suggest you to do not modify the registry settings. If you modify the registry settings incorrectly than it can lead MS Edge to get crashed or not work properly.

It is best practice to apply the settings via group policy. group policy will create/ modify registry keys properly.

If we talk about your requirement than it looks like you want to open Google.com in new tab.

You can refer steps below to achieve your requirement via group policy.

(1) Open Run Window in your Win 10 OS.

(2) Type GPEDIT.MSE in it and press Enter key.

(3) Navigate to location below.

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge

(4) Find a policy setting called Set New Tab Page URL and double click on it.

(5) Click on Enabled radio button.

(6) Set a new URL for New Tab page like below.

(7) Click on Apply button and close the Window.

Note that this policy is depended upon other policy called Allow Web Content on New Page.

So you also need to find this policy from the similar location and Enabled it. Otherwise your above policy setting will get ignored.

For more information, You can refer the link below.

New Tab page

You also need to check that above settings are not controlled by your administrator/ organization. Due to that reason, This policy settings also get ignored.