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Dani 5,664 The Queen of DaniWeb

I found this in a few different places around the 'net - hopefully it's helpful:

Set Your Browser to Open to a Page of Your Choice

Is there a site you always visit first when you browse the Web? Would you like it to be the first site you see when you start Internet Explorer? Just follow the steps below to change your home or "start" page.

  • Navigate to the Web page you want to see when you start Internet Explorer.
  • Click Tools on the menu bar, and then click Internet Options.
  • In the Home page area, click Use Current.
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The original post from (Mar 13, 2004) shows the classic Internet Explorer approach of changing the browser Home Page from Internet Options. That was correct for IE at the time, but IE11’s desktop app was retired for most Windows installations on June 15, 2022 and Microsoft now directs users to Microsoft Edge (Edge keeps an IE-compatible “IE mode” for legacy sites). Microsoft’s IE retirement FAQ. (learn.microsoft.com)

Quick, up‑to‑date places to look in current browsers:

  • Google Chrome — Settings → On startup → “Open a specific page or set of pages” (or use Appearance → Show Home button for a home icon). . ()
  • Microsoft Edge — Settings → Start, home, and new tabs → set “When Edge starts” to open specific pages; Appearance → Show home button for the toolbar URL. Change your browser home page (Microsoft Support). (support.microsoft.com)
  • Mozilla Firefox — Menu → Settings → Home; use “Homepage and new windows” to enter a custom URL or use current pages. Firefox Help. (support.mozilla.org)
  • Safari (macOS) — Safari → Settings/Preferences → General → Homepage (or “Set to Current Page”); choose when new windows/tabs show the homepage. Apple Support. (support.apple.com)

Troubleshooting notes and gotchas (common gaps I see in old threads):

  • Know the difference: “Home button” vs “startup pages” vs “new tab” are separate settings and must be changed in the matching area of Settings. [Chrome Help]. ()
  • If the page keeps reverting, check for extensions or unwanted software and consider resetting the browser (browsers warn that sudden homepage changes can indicate unwanted software). [Chrome Help]. ()
  • On managed / corporate machines an admin policy can lock startup/home settings; group policies or MDM profiles override user changes. [Microsoft Browser Policy docs]. (learn.microsoft.com)
  • If a desktop/taskbar shortcut opens a different URL, check the shortcut’s Target (it may include a URL) — Windows/older IE docs show this behavior and fixes. (support.microsoft.com)

Official how‑to pages above contain step‑by‑step screenshots for each browser; follow the guide that matches the browser and OS in use.

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