[Tip] Restore Classic Customize Chrome Window on New Tab Page

In newer versions of Google Chrome web browser (version 113 and later), if you try to customize the look-n-feel of New Tab Page (NTP) by clicking on “Customize Chrome” button, Google Chrome opens the customization options page in the Side Panel. In older versions of Chrome, the customization options used to appear inside a dialog box or fly-out window. If you want to disable new Side Panel customization feature and restore classic New Tab Page customization window in Chrome, this article will help you.

Following screenshot shows the new Sidebar customization feature on New Tab page in Chrome 113 and later versions:

If you remember, we already told you about this new customization feature in March 2023 when the feature was under development. Check out following article to learn more about the feature:

Enable Customize New Tab Page Options in Chrome Side Panel

If you don’t like the new functionality and want to enable the classic customization window in Chrome, here is a good news for you. Google Chrome team has provided a hidden secret preference/flag which can be used to enable or disable the new customize in Side Panel feature in Chrome.

Following screenshot shows the legacy New Tab Page customization window restored in Chrome browser:

Following steps will help you in removing the new Side Panel customization functionality and restoring classic New Tab Page customization window in Chrome web browser:

1. Open Google Chrome web browser and type chrome://flags/ in address bar and press Enter. It’ll open the advanced configuration page.

2. Now type customize in the “Search flags” box.

Look for following option in the results:

3. To disable new customize in Side Panel functionality and restore classic New Tab page customization window in Chrome, select Disabled from the drop-down box for the above mentioned option.

4. Google Chrome will ask you to restart the browser. Click on “Relaunch now” button to restart Google Chrome.

That’s it. Now open New Tab page and click on “Customize Chrome” button and you’ll get the classic customization window back.

PS: In future, if you decide to restore default behavior in Chrome, select “Default” option from the drop-down box for above mentioned option and restart the browser.

BONUS TIP:

There is another preference/flag “Customize Chrome Color Extraction” (#customize-chrome-color-extraction) available on Chrome://flags page which can be modified to force Chrome to automatically change the browser theme color based on the color of the background image selected using Customize Chrome page.

Also Check:

Enable Power Bookmarks Version UI in Chrome Side Panel

Show Right-Click Search Results for Highlighted Text in Chrome Side Panel

Enable or Disable Google Lens Camera Icon in Search Box on New Tab Page in Chrome