How do I get IE8 to open a blank page with CTRL-N?

Question

When I used CTRL-N to open a new window with Firefox, it gives me a blank window (because I've set my start page to be blank).

How do I do the same thing with IE8? Using CTRL-N there opens a new window but it loads up the same page that was in the original window, even though the start page is set to about:blank.

This causes havoc when I'm on certain sites since those sites detect that I'm logged in twice and kick me out of both sessions.

Answer 1

If you run Internet Explorer with the -nomerge switch, each new window won't share the session data from the previous window when launched from that shortcut.

Additionally, if you go to File->New Session this will open a new window with your default home page.

More Info

Answer 2

Hmm, seems as though IE 8's "New Session" feature does not have a hotkey. Well, we can fix that.

• Download AutoHotkey
• Use this script:

#IfWinActive ahk_class IEFrame
^n::Run, C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe,,max
#IfWinActive

depending on your Windows version you'll need to change the executable path around a bit.

Answer 3

Make a new shortcut of iexplore.exe on the desktop and edit its shortcut key proprieties to CTRL+ALT+N, now CTRL+ALT+N will open a new IE window.

Answer 4

In Windows 7, move IE to the first app in the task bar (if not already), press Windows + Shift + 1.