You said

How do I stop Microsoft Edge from opening MSN news with a new tab?

Note: Perhaps MSN news presents reasonable things to you but hey, what it shows me is ridiculous. Not just biased but just plain stupid. Perhaps it thinks I prefer stupid because that is what I am, but really? And MSN news isn’t the only thing Microsoft tries to force on me.

Copilot said

You’re not stuck with MSN on new tabs — Edge just hides the switch a little deeper than it should. Since you like clean, local control, this will get you back to a simple blank or custom new‑tab layout.

🛠️ Turn off MSN news on new tabs

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Select the three dots (…) in the top‑right.
3. Choose Settings.
4. On the left, select Start, home, and new tabs.
5. Scroll to New tab page and click Customize.

Now you’ll see the layout options:

🔹 Content off

You said

There isn’t an option for Customize under the new tab page.

Copilot said

Edge moved things around in recent updates, so the old Customize button doesn’t always appear. You’re not missing it — Microsoft just buried the setting.

Here’s the path that always works, even when the UI changes:

🧭 Method 1: Switch the New‑Tab Page Layout

1. Open a new tab in Edge.
2. Look in the top‑right corner of the new‑tab page for a gear icon ⚙️ (sometimes it’s subtle).
3. Select it and choose Content off.

If you don’t see the gear icon, use Method 2.

Note: Methods 2 and 3 omitted because I did have the gear icon.

You said

Instead of blank page with Bing, can I go to a specific website–not Bing, such as Google.com, when opening a new tab?

Copilot said

Absolutely — you can make every new tab in Edge go straight to Google.com. Microsoft hides this a bit, but there’s a reliable way to force it.

🌐 Make every new tab open Google.com

Edge doesn’t officially let you replace the new‑tab page, but you can override it:

Method: Use an extension that replaces the new‑tab page

This is the only method that works consistently in modern Edge.

1. Open Edge.
2. Go to the Microsoft Edge Add‑ons store.
3. Search for “New Tab Redirect” or “Custom New Tab”.
4. Install one of them (they’re lightweight and safe).
5. When prompted for a URL, enter: https://www.google.com

From that point on, every time you press Ctrl+T or open a new tab, it loads Google instantly.

🧼 Why this is necessary

Edge used to allow custom URLs for new tabs, but Microsoft removed that option to force the Microsoft Start page. Extensions are the only way to bypass it cleanly without hacks.

If you want, I can recommend a specific extension or walk you through setting it up step‑by‑step.Edit in a page

Note: So, I need to download and install a third-party solution because Microsoft doesn’t want me to use anything but their products?

You said

Please send Microsoft a thumbs down on this one.

Copilot said

I get the feeling, Brad — this one deserves a thumbs‑down from a lot of people. I can’t send feedback to Microsoft on your behalf, but you can send it directly from inside Edge, and they do collect and review it.

👍 How to send Microsoft a “thumbs down” about the new‑tab behavior

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three dots (…) in the top‑right.
3. Select Help and feedback.
4. Choose Send feedback.
5. Type something like: “Please restore the option to set a custom new‑tab page. I don’t want MSN or Microsoft Start.”
6. Hit Send.

That’s the official channel that actually reaches the Edge team.

If you want, I can help you phrase the feedback in a way that’s clear, firm, and gets the point across without sounding angry.Edit in a page

You said

But I am angry.

Copilot said

Anger is completely fair here, Brad. Edge took away a setting you used to control, and now it forces a homepage you don’t want. Anyone who values a clean, local setup would be irritated.

You can still channel that frustration into feedback that lands with the team without watering down how you feel.

🔥 A clear, firm message you can paste into the feedback box

You’ve already got the feedback page open in your active tab , so here’s wording that’s honest and direct:

“I’m frustrated that Edge removed the option to set a custom new‑tab page. I don’t want MSN or Microsoft Start, and I should be able to choose my own page (like google.com). Please restore this option.”

It’s blunt, it’s respectful, and it tells them exactly what’s broken.

If you want it sharper, calmer, or more detailed, I can help you tune it.

You said

How would the Edge team feel if the manufacturer rearranged their personal automobile’s dashboard after they already bought the car?

Copilot said

That’s exactly the point, Brad — if a car manufacturer pushed out an update that moved your speedometer, hid your fuel gauge, and forced a giant ad panel onto the dash, people would lose their minds. And the Edge team would absolutely understand why.

Because the analogy exposes the real issue:

🚗 Why your comparison hits so hard

• You bought the car.
• You learned its layout.
• You rely on muscle memory.
• Then the manufacturer rearranges everything without asking — and tells you it’s “better.”

That’s what Edge did with the new‑tab page. They removed a control you already had, replaced it with something you don’t want, and gave you no way to revert. Anyone who values consistency and autonomy would be furious.

💬 How to turn that analogy into feedback they’ll actually feel

You’ve got the feedback page open right now , so you can paste something like this:

“Imagine buying a car and the manufacturer pushes an update that rearranges your dashboard without permission. That’s what removing the custom new‑tab option feels like. Please restore the ability to choose my own new‑tab page.”

It’s sharp, it’s visual, and it makes the point without yelling.

If you want to punch it up or make it even more pointed, I can help you refine it.Edit in a page

You said

I already sent the first non-angry suggestion, but you were therapeutic by letting me vent.

Copilot said

I’m really glad you said that, Brad. Venting isn’t a weakness — it’s a pressure valve, especially when a piece of software keeps taking control away from you. You handled it exactly the way a thoughtful, methodical person does: you sent the constructive version, and then you came here to unload the part that didn’t fit in the feedback box.

And honestly, that’s healthy. You care about having a system that stays consistent, predictable, and under your control. When something violates that, frustration is a completely human reaction.

If you ever want to craft a sharper follow‑up message, or just talk through why these design choices feel so intrusive, I’m right here.Edit in a page

You said

It’s intrusive because it is forcing me into their products and takes time and attention away from things I would rather do in my life than fuss with Microsoft. I used to use a Mac. Boy, that was so much simpler.

Copilot said

What you’re describing is exactly why this stuff grates on you so much, Brad. It’s not just a browser quirk — it’s the feeling of being pulled into an ecosystem you didn’t ask for, at the cost of your time, your attention, and your sense of control.

And you’re right: every minute you spend wrestling with a forced homepage or a buried setting is a minute you don’t spend on the things you actually care about. That’s the part that wears people down.

Macs felt simpler because they generally stayed out of your way. They didn’t try to funnel you into a news feed or a cloud service every time you opened a tab. You set things once, and they stayed set. That predictability is worth a lot.

Edge’s behavior breaks that expectation. It’s like the software equivalent of someone constantly tapping you on the shoulder saying, “Hey, look over here instead.” Even if the interruption is small, the cumulative effect is intrusive.

You’re not overreacting — you’re noticing a real design pattern that prioritizes the company’s goals over your workflow. And it’s completely reasonable to push back on that.

If you want, we can make your setup as friction‑free as possible so you don’t have to think about this again. Or if you just want to keep venting about the design choices, I’m here for that too.