Can I Change a Homepage With Google Chrome?

by James T Wood
Google's Chrome web browser has all the features of a typical browser, just packaged differently.

Google's Chrome web browser has all the features of a typical browser, just packaged differently.

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Google, the leader in search engine services, is also one of the top Web browser providers with Google Chrome. Chrome is designed to be light and fast, and the browser borrows from the main Google page being sparse on decoration yet full of potential and power. Google uses a spare theme in the Chrome browser that can make the options less obvious to those used to a traditional menu system. Nevertheless, the ability to change the home page is available within Chrome.

Web Browsers

Web browsers are programs that interpret the programing language of the internet and display it in a manner meaningful to end users. So you don't have to know what hyper-text markup language means, your web browser will interpret the HTML code on your behalf and display your favorite webpage. In early 2011 Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer top the popularity charts for web browsers.

Home Page

In web browser parlance the "Home Page" is simply the site that loads when you first open the program. Typically, a home page is the main landing site for getting around the internet. So you might choose Google or Bing as home pages since they offer web search. You might want to start with a news site so MSN or CNN may suit your fancy more.

Google

Google's corporate philosophy is to make the information of the world accessible and usable. Because of this they focus on speed and simplicity in searching on the internet and the Chrome web browser fits into that flow naturally. Instead of having the typical home page used by other web browsers, Google uses a "New Tab" page which gives links to your most recently viewed sites as well as web applications and recently closed tabs. There's no "Home" button like other browsers have, instead a "+" icon to the right of the last open tab generates a new tab in lieu of a home page.

Chrome

You can still use a homepage in Chrome, if you wish, but you'll need to dig into the options to do it. Google's option menu is located under the wrench icon on the right hand side of the browser. Click the wrench then click "Options." Tick the radio box next to "Open this Page" under the "Home Page" heading. Type in the web address for the site you want to use as a home page then click the "X" on the "Options" tab to close it and save the settings. Click the "+" to open a new tab displaying the home page you just set.

About the Author

James T Wood is a teacher, blogger and author. Since 2009 he has published two books and numerous articles, both online and in print. His work experience has spanned the computer world, from sales and support to training and repair. He is also an accomplished public speaker and PowerPoint presenter.

Photo Credits

  • Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images News/Getty Images