How do I fix Google Chrome's latest new tab page?

I've just updated to the latest Google Chrome Dev build, and they've changed from the annoying-but-ok new tab page to an ugly and less usable page.

On the old one, nine thumbnails was not enough, and now they've restricted it to eight.

There's an empty "Tips and Suggestions" box which I wouldn't want even if it had stuff in; they've added Recent Downloads - on the rare occasions when I need that, I'll hit Ctrl-J to open the Downloads tab; and the site-specific search box on the right has now gone!

Is there a way to get the old new tab page back, or a plugin to provide a superior one?

Update:
I launch Chrome by pressing Win+R and entering "chrome" - I have a shortcut on the Path with a Target of "C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --old-new-tab-page and whilst double-clicking this shortcut brings up the previous new tab page, using the keyboard method results in the old one.

How do I get it working via the Run box?
(Without using a batch file, which slows things down too much.)

Update 2:
GRRR! Now they've gone and stopped the --old-new-tab-page parameter from working at all!
I hate this new version of the page that they're forcing upon us - can anyone provide a method to get rid of it and get the decent page back?

Peter Boughton

Posted 2009-07-19T21:01:17.857

Reputation: 1 085

Answers

If you append:

--old-new-tab-page

to your Chrome shortcut, it will revert the New Tab page to the original 3x3 layout with the Searches and Bookmarks on the right-hand side. Just tested it now on mine, works perfectly.

fourstar

Posted 2009-07-19T21:01:17.857

Reputation: 633

This only appears to work for clicked shortcuts. If I do start>run "chrome" to launch it (with a suitably modified shortcut on the path) it uses the new tab page still. – Peter Boughton – 2009-07-19T23:19:39.363

Ah, that's a slightly different question then, I see you have updated the text. I'll look into it... – fourstar – 2009-07-20T06:46:19.440

You need to add --old-new-tab-page to the command line arguments of the program, like a desktop shortcut. For universal support, you will most likely need to edit the registry to change the way Chrome is started by Windows.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\StartMenuInternet\chrome.exe\shell\open\command is the relevant registry key.

towo

Posted 2009-07-19T21:01:17.857

Reputation: 514

Same as other comment - even with the reg key it doesn't work if I do start>run "chrome" to launch it. – Peter Boughton – 2009-07-19T23:20:10.410

I'm cross-posting my answer from a similar question:

You can revert the old New Tab Page by following my workaround:

Install the New Tab Redirect extension
Set the URL in options to: chrome-internal://newtab/ or chrome://apps

niutech

Posted 2009-07-19T21:01:17.857

Reputation: 763