At AGGIA IT Services in Oxfordshire, we regularly troubleshoot strange Windows and Microsoft Edge issues for our clients. Recently, we came across an annoying problem that appeared simple at first but turned out to have a surprisingly unexpected solution.
Every time a PDF file was opened from File Explorer using Microsoft Edge, Edge would open two tabs:
- A blank New Tab page
- The actual PDF document
While the PDF opened correctly, the extra tab quickly became frustrating, especially when working with multiple documents throughout the day.
What Didn’t Fix It
Like many Microsoft Edge issues, there were several troubleshooting steps that seemed promising but ultimately made no difference:
- Resetting Microsoft Edge settings
- Creating a new Edge profile
- Disabling extensions
- Checking PDF file associations
- Disabling Startup Boost
- Repairing Microsoft Edge
None of the above resolved the issue.
The Unexpected Fix
The solution was hidden within Edge’s startup settings.
- Open Microsoft Edge and navigate to: Settings > Start, home and new tab page (edge://settings/onStartup
- Under On startup, change the setting from:
Open the new tab page to: Open custom sites
IMAGE - Do not add any websites to the custom sites list. Leave the list completely empty.
Why Does This Work?
Although Microsoft has not officially documented this behaviour, it appears that Edge may incorrectly trigger its startup process when launching PDF files directly from Windows.
When “Open the new tab page” is selected, Edge first creates a startup tab and then opens the PDF in a second tab.
By changing the setting to “Open custom sites” with an empty list, Edge no longer creates the unnecessary startup tab, allowing the PDF document to open on its own.
Need IT Support in Oxford or Oxfordshire?
AGGIA IT Services provides professional IT support for businesses across Oxford, Bicester, Kidlington, Witney, Banbury and the wider Oxfordshire area.
Our services include:
- Microsoft 365 administration and support
- Windows troubleshooting
- Cybersecurity and endpoint protection
- Cloud migrations and data backup
- Network and Wi-Fi support
- Ongoing managed IT services
If your business needs reliable IT support in Oxfordshire, contact AGGIA IT Services.
