Hiding or Removing Shortcuts
You can likely declutter your Google Chrome new tab page by hiding or removing shortcuts to frequently visited websites. These shortcuts appear as thumbnails below the search bar, but if they feel unnecessary, Chrome provides simple ways to manage them. Here’s how you can do it in a few steps, whether you want to remove specific shortcuts or hide them all for a cleaner look.
Hiding All Shortcuts
To remove all shortcuts at once:
- Open a new tab in Chrome by clicking the “+” icon or pressing Ctrl + T (Windows) or Cmd + T (Mac).
- Click “Customize Chrome” in the bottom-right corner of the new tab page.
- In the left sidebar, select “Shortcuts.”
- Toggle the “Hide Shortcuts” switch to the “On” position.
- Click “Done” to save your changes.
This will make your new tab page look minimal, showing just the search bar and any background you’ve set.
Removing Individual Shortcuts
If you only want to delete specific shortcuts:
- Open a new tab in Chrome.
- Hover over the shortcut you want to remove.
- Click the three-dot menu icon that appears in the top-right corner of the shortcut.
- Select “Remove” from the dropdown menu.
- If you accidentally delete a shortcut, click “Undo” in the confirmation message that appears.
Additional Tips
- Clearing your browsing history might also affect which shortcuts appear, as they’re based on your browsing habits. Be cautious, as this will also clear other data like cookies.
- If you’re using an older version of Chrome, the interface might differ slightly, so consider updating to the latest version for the best experience.
Comprehensive Guide to Removing Shortcuts from Google Chrome’s New Tab Page
Introduction
Google Chrome’s new tab page is designed to enhance user convenience by displaying shortcuts to frequently visited websites as thumbnails below the search bar. These shortcuts, often referred to as speed dials, are generated based on your browsing history and aim to provide quick access to your favorite sites. However, for some users, these shortcuts can clutter the new tab page, making it feel less streamlined or exposing browsing habits during screen sharing or casual use. Fortunately, Chrome offers straightforward methods to either hide all shortcuts or remove specific ones, allowing users to tailor their browsing experience. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to managing these shortcuts, ensuring a cleaner and more personalized new tab page.
Understanding Chrome’s New Tab Shortcuts
When you open a new tab in Google Chrome (by pressing Ctrl + T on Windows or Cmd + T on Mac), you’ll typically see a Google search bar with a grid of up to eight website shortcuts below it. These shortcuts are automatically populated based on your most visited sites, but they can include sites you rarely use or don’t want displayed. Unlike bookmarks, which are manually saved and managed through the Bookmarks menu, these shortcuts are dynamic and tied to your browsing history. Users may want to remove them for aesthetic reasons, privacy concerns, or to reduce visual clutter, especially if they already have preferred shortcuts pinned elsewhere, such as on the taskbar or bookmarks bar.
Methods to Remove Shortcuts
Method 1: Hiding All Shortcuts
Hiding all shortcuts is the simplest way to achieve a minimalist new tab page. This method doesn’t delete the shortcuts permanently but conceals them from view, and you can easily restore them later if needed. Follow these steps:
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open a new tab | Use Ctrl + T (Windows) or Cmd + T (Mac) for quick access |
| 2 | Click “Customize Chrome” | Located in the bottom-right corner of the new tab page |
| 3 | Select “Shortcuts” | Found in the left sidebar of the customization panel |
| 4 | Toggle “Hide Shortcuts” | Switch to the “On” position to hide all shortcuts |
| 5 | Click “Done” | Saves changes and updates the new tab page |
After completing these steps, your new tab page will no longer display the shortcut thumbnails, leaving a cleaner interface with just the search bar and any customized background. To restore the shortcuts, repeat the process and toggle “Hide Shortcuts” to the “Off” position, then click “Done.”
Method 2: Removing Individual Shortcuts
If you prefer to keep some shortcuts but remove others, you can delete them individually. This method is ideal for fine-tuning the new tab page without hiding all shortcuts. Here’s how:
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open a new tab | Same as above, use keyboard shortcuts for efficiency |
| 2 | Hover over the shortcut | Move your cursor over the thumbnail you want to remove |
| 3 | Click the three-dot menu | Appears in the top-right corner of the shortcut |
| 4 | Select “Remove” | Deletes the shortcut from the new tab page |
| 5 | Optional: Click “Undo” | Appears in a confirmation message if you delete accidentally |
You can repeat these steps for each shortcut you wish to remove. Note that removing a shortcut is permanent unless you use the “Undo” option immediately after deletion. Chrome may generate new shortcuts based on your browsing habits over time, so you might need to repeat this process periodically.
Additional Customization Options
Beyond hiding or removing shortcuts, Chrome offers other ways to personalize the new tab page, which can complement your efforts to declutter:
- Clearing Browsing History: Since shortcuts are generated from your browsing history, clearing it can influence which shortcuts appear. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data, select “Browsing history,” and choose a time range. Be aware that this will also clear cookies and cached data, which might affect other browsing functions.
- Changing Backgrounds: You can customize the new tab page’s appearance by selecting a new background image or color. In the “Customize Chrome” panel, click “Appearance” and choose from Chrome’s gallery or upload your own image.
- Switching Shortcut Types: Under the “Shortcuts” settings, you can choose between “My shortcuts” (manually added) or “Most visited sites” (automatically generated). Selecting “My shortcuts” allows you to add custom shortcuts, giving you more control over what appears.
These options can enhance your new tab page experience, making it both functional and visually appealing.
Troubleshooting and Considerations
While the steps above are straightforward, some users might encounter issues, particularly with older versions of Chrome or specific configurations:
- Missing “Shortcuts” Option: In rare cases, as noted in a 2024 forum post on Digital Spy, the “Shortcuts” option might not appear in the “Customize Chrome” menu. This could be due to an outdated Chrome version or a temporary glitch. Updating Chrome to the latest version (available through Settings > About Chrome) should resolve this.
- Persistent Shortcuts: Some users report that certain shortcuts, like the Chrome Web Store, reappear despite being removed. This might be due to Chrome’s algorithm prioritizing certain sites. Clearing browsing history or switching to “My shortcuts” can help mitigate this.
- Platform Differences: The steps provided are primarily for the desktop version of Chrome (Windows, Mac, Linux). On mobile devices, the new tab page interface differs, and customization options are more limited. For mobile, you can still remove individual shortcuts by tapping and holding the thumbnail and selecting “Remove,” but hiding all shortcuts may not be available.
If you’re using Chrome in 2025, ensure your browser is updated to the latest version to access the most current customization features. Chrome’s interface has remained consistent since version 77 (2019), which introduced the updated new tab page customization menu, so these steps should apply broadly.
User Feedback and Context
User feedback from online communities highlights why removing shortcuts is a common need. For instance, a 2023 post on WebNots noted frustration with thumbnails cluttering the new tab page, especially since the search bar already provides quick access to sites via autocomplete. Another user on Digital Spy expressed irritation at seeing shortcuts for unused sites, emphasizing privacy concerns when sharing screens. These sentiments underscore the demand for a cleaner, more controlled new tab page, which Chrome’s customization options address effectively.
Comparison with Other Browsers
For context, other browsers handle new tab page shortcuts differently:
- Firefox: Allows users to pin or remove sites from the new tab page, with an option to disable top sites entirely, similar to Chrome’s “Hide Shortcuts.”
- Edge: Offers a customizable new tab page with options to hide “Quick links” or switch to a focused layout, akin to Chrome’s minimalist approach.
- Safari: Displays favorites or frequently visited sites, which can be managed through the Bookmarks menu, but lacks a direct “hide all” toggle.
Chrome’s approach is user-friendly and aligns with industry standards, offering both flexibility and simplicity.
Conclusion
Removing shortcuts from Google Chrome’s new tab page is a quick and effective way to declutter your browsing experience. Whether you choose to hide all shortcuts for a minimalist look or remove specific ones to curate your new tab page, Chrome provides intuitive tools to achieve your desired setup. By following the steps outlined—opening a new tab, accessing “Customize Chrome,” and either hiding or removing shortcuts—you can personalize your browser to suit your needs. Additional customization options, like changing backgrounds or clearing browsing history, further enhance your control. With these methods, you can enjoy a streamlined and distraction-free new tab page tailored to your preferences.
