Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

I can't get IE10 on Windows 8 keep the address of my desired Home page. I want to use google.com as the home page, I go to Internet Options, Use Current Page as home page, then save. It works for only a few minutes before reverting back to blank address. I always run AVG antivirus, and occasionally run malware checker, but nothing will fix this problem.

Anyone else have similar problem?

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Dani AI

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Short summary and context: reports IE10 on Windows 8 repeatedly losing the home page after it’s set. ’s manual registry edit proved the value can be changed, but the setting still reverts when IE starts. Those two facts together strongly suggest something is overwriting the setting at or just before launch (an add‑on, a startup/scheduled task, a security-suite feature, or an enforced policy). Try the checks below in order to isolate and fix the culprit.

Quick diagnostic sequence (do these first)

  • Test in a clean context: create a new local user account and set the homepage there. If it stays, the problem is per-user.
  • Run IE with all extensions disabled to see whether an add‑on is doing the overwrite: 
    iexplore.exe -extoff

    If the homepage holds with extensions off, disable toolbars/BHOs one-by-one (Tools → Manage add‑ons) until you find the offender.

  • Boot into Safe Mode with Networking and test. If the homepage stays in Safe Mode, a startup program or scheduled task is likely resetting it.

Next checks and remediation

  • Check startup items and scheduled tasks (Task Manager → Startup, and Task Scheduler). Look for unfamiliar tasks that run at logon or reference scripts/registry tools and disable them temporarily.
  • Inspect your antivirus/browser‑protection settings (AVG or any other suite). Some security tools include “protect homepage” or browser‑protection features that can restore a particular value. Turn those features off briefly while testing.
  • Scan for adware/hijackers with a reputable on‑demand scanner (e.g., Malwarebytes/AdwCleaner) and remove anything suspicious.

If nothing above helps

  • Look for enforced settings via Group Policy (gpedit.msc if available) or the system policies registry branches; an enforced policy will override user changes.
  • Use Internet Options → Advanced → Reset Internet Explorer (back up bookmarks and settings first), or create a fresh Windows user profile. Always export/backup any registry key before editing and consider a System Restore point if available.

These steps will identify whether the reset is caused by an add‑on, a startup task/service, a security product, or an enforced policy — and point to the appropriate fix without repeatedly editing the registry.

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Member Avatar for gerbil

Ancient, I'm using IE6 [rarely], but I'm going to guess nothing much has changed... :)
What if you physically edit this key [or sim, for IE10] to reflect your homepage URL?

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]

So: "Start Page"="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dogville/"

Or check that it at least reflects the home page that you tried to set?

commented: thanks +14
Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

Yahoo! Looks like that worked, has not erased the home page url since I manually set tha registry entry. Thanks for the suggestion.

Member Avatar for Ancient Dragon

Didn't work afterall. The registry entry is still set to what I want but when I start IE the home page is set to something else.

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