Chrome new tab page changed but I want it back

Question

I'm using Google Chrome version 21.0.1180.89 m (on Windows 7).

The problem is that I installed an anti-virus program that accidentally changed the home page (I didn't uncheck the option). Now every time I open a new tab, it goes to the web search of the anti-virus package.

My question is, how can I restore it to the thumbnails with most visited and a tab with apps and all the other stuff?

Answer 1

After an second attempt and failing on it, i've found the solution. It isn't that hard to do.

First you have to determine the id of the extension that has changed the new tab. You do that to go to the extensions -> then go in development mode -> and then you see the ID's.

After that, go to the chrome default folder (C:\Users\user-name\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default ) and copy (for backup) the file Preferences

Now close chrome, and open the file Preferences in any texteditor.

Search the file for something like this:

"chrome_url_overrides": {
         "newtab": [ "chrome-extension://aaaangaohdajkgeopjhpbnlpkehbhmbj/config/skin/new-tab.html" ]
      }

NOTE! the ID is probably difrent, but it has to be something like this : chrome-extension://ID_OF_EXTENSION/.....

Now look further down for "settings" and then the id of your extension.

There will be again somekind of this line:

"chrome_url_overrides": {
                  "newtab": "config/skin/new-tab.html"
               },

Delete that one to.

Save the file and start chrome and it will be fixed.

Answer 2

self answer by OP

Answer:

The problem with this is that you have to reset the default settings of chrome. This can you do verry simple, with the following steps:

The file path: Users --> Your User Folder --> AppData (this might be a hidden folder if you aren't admin) --> Local --> Google --> Chrome --> Default

The folder "Default" contains all of the requisite settings. To reset Chrome, close it and change the folder name of "Default" to anything else... "Default old" or "Default broken" or whatever else you like. Once you reopen Chrome it will be reset!

If you want to retain some settings (especially things like bookmarks and login info) you can copy (don't just move them because they should be kept intact as backups; copy them) those files into your new Default folder any time that Chrome is closed.

When you've done that, the problem is solved (depends on what you copy back or not, because you mayby copy the wrong settings back, but you will find out soon enought).

Hope this helps somebody else in the future also.

Source: http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/xbmkn0Ohoh4

(post of Azzmo)

Answer 3

This worked well for me. Type into the address bar:

chrome://flags/

Then select "Reset all to default"

Hope it helps, Patrick

Answer 4

Go to the wrench (in the top right corner) > select settings > select extensions (in the top left) > uninstall the extension of the AV program.

Another way is if you have an icon (of the av add-on) in the top right > right click on it > remove from Chrome.

Answer 5

Sounds like an install only option, I doubt it's enforcing your homepage choice via the anti-virus program.

Click the spanner in top right hand corner. Choose settings.

In the "On Start Up" section, you will see the text "Open a specific page or set of pages". Click "Set pages" next to this, if you remove all the pages from here it will open a blank tab with your most visited/favourites instead.

Answer 6

If its avg, click the new tab. It will open with the Avg search engine. on top right corner there will be an option to reset the toolbar. click on that and you can disable the search engine on new tab.

If another application, type chrome://plugins you will get a list of plugins. Disable the desired plugin.

Answer 7

If the start up doesn't want to change back its probably an extension, try going to program files and finding the folder which is name the same as the page/search engine you startup with (for example www1.delta..... you'd find the folder named delta). Go in and double click uninstall and watch it come back to normal

Answer 8

I use X new tab page on chrome and have had this same problem, where every so often (usually when I shut down/restart my computer instead of hibernating it) the page will crash. Then, when I open chrome, the home page is still the X new tab page, but when I open a new tab page, it defaults to the a different chrome one. This has happened twice, and both times, I have fixed it by un-installing the X new tab page extension and reinstalling it. So that you don't have to re-do all of your saved settings, be sure to do an autobackup of your x new tab page BEFORE you uninstall, then when you re-install, just log back in, and all your settings are saved! Hope this helps someone!

Answer 9

Why so complicated? Go to Chrome "settings", and then to where it says "Set which search engine is used when searching from the omnibox" and "manage search engines".

You need to restart Chrome for changes to take effect.