IE8: default new tab is annoying

By default, IE8 opens a new tab in a way that is perhaps helpful to some but more than annoying for anyone who has ever used a browser with tabs before. It shows several options that are not very helpful at all.

IE8: default new tab

If you prefer a simple blank tab instead, open the Internet Options either from the Tools menu or via Control Panel and select the tab settings.

IE8: internet options, tab settings

In the settings for tabbed browsing, you can set the behavior when a new tab is opened. Simply change it from the default the new tab page to a blank page.

IE8: new tab behavior

That is it.