Microsoft Edge is the default web browser that comes pre-installed on all Windows computers.
By default, Edge will start on the Bing home page. It’s bright and colourful with lots of stories and ads. Some people like it, some don’t. But you can change it. You can have Edge start at virtually any web page.
Also I’ll show you how to show the home button, set a home page and remove the sidebar from Edge.
How To Change The Start Page In Edge.
To set the start page in edge you’ll need to have the URL (web address) of the web page that you want to use.
Navigate to the web page you want as the Start Page in Edge.
When you’re on the correct page, left click once in the address bar.
The URL will become highlighted. Right click on the highlighted address and then left click Copy.
That’ll copy the URL to your clipboard.
With the web page URL copied to your clipboard, it’s time to set it as the Start Page in Edge.
Click the Settings icon (3 horizontal dots) in the top right of the window.
On the menu that opens, click Settings.
Start, Home And New Tabs.
The Settings page in Edge will open to a slightly different view depending on how large or small your PC screen is.
- On larger screens you’ll see your profile page and on the left will be the Settings menu. On the menu click “Start, home and new tabs”.
- On smaller screens the Settings menu will be collapsed. To expand it (open it), click the 3 horizontal lines in the top left corner.
- The menu will expand allowing you to click on “Start, home and new tabs”.
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Setting A Start Page In Edge.
- In the “When Microsoft Edge starts” section, select Open These Pages by clicking on the radio button then click the Add New Page button.
- Click in the “Enter a URL” box and then paste in the URL that you copied to clipboard earlier by pressing CTRL + V on your keyboard. Click the Add button.
- You’ll see the new start up page appear in the settings.
You can close and re-open Edge. It will now open at the web page that you set instead of Bing.
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How To Set A Home Page And Show The Home Button In Edge.
As well as setting a start page you can also set a home page for Edge. The home page can be the same page or a different to the start page.
Just like setting the start page, you’ll need to grab the URL for your home page.
Head on over to whichever web page you’d like to use as the home page for Edge.
Copy the URL
Home Button And Home Page In Edge.
With the URL copied to clipboard, click the Settings icon (3 horizontal dots) in the top right corner and then click Settings on the menu.
- Click “Start, home and new tabs” in the left hand panel.
- Scroll down the page a little until you get to the Home Button section. Select “Show home button on the toolbar”
- Click the radio button and then paste in the the URL of the web page that you want to use as your home page. Click the Save button.
Close and re-open Edge. This time you should see the Home button appear on the toolbar and clicking on it will take you to your home page.
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How To Remove The Sidebar From Edge.
In recent years Microsoft has introduced a sidebar in Edge. Some people find it useful(there must be someone), and others, not so much.
To remove the sidebar from Edge, click the sidebar settings icon (gear wheel) at the bottom of the sidebar.
On the small menu, take the tick out of “Always show sidebar” by clicking on it once.
The sidebar should disappear.
Summary.
Setting a Start page and Home page in Edge is pretty much straightforward. You’ll just need the URL (web address) of the pages that you want to use and the enter them into the settings.
Personally I like to have the Google home page set for both but it’s entirely your choice. It’s whatever suits you.
As for the sidebar, you can expect that return periodically. Probably after an update or two. Microsoft seem to really like it. But you can just turn it off again.
Next we’re looking at setting up your Favourites in Edge.
At Home Computer Guides.
These easy to follow guides aren’t part of the course but you might find them useful.
