shar1144 wrote:
In Safari Settings > General I chose the following:
Safari opens with: A new window
New windows open with: Start Page
New tabs open with: Start Page
Homepage: https://safari.com
Do those appear to be okay?
Sure — if that's what you want, but from your initial description is sounds as though you want new windows or tabs to open with your Homepage and not Safari's Start Page. If that's the case, change those two settings to indicate "new windows / tabs" open with: > Homepage ... or something other than Start Page.
It's been so long since I used Safari for my I don't know what an actual "a new window" looks like. I wish I could send a screenshot of what I see. One thing I see when, I scroll down is a box with a title above it "Privacy Report" the box reads: "Safari prevents trackers from profiling you." It also has in small blue text "Show More."
Should this box appear in "a new window"?
Yes, that's normal, if that's what you want, but your chosen Settings don't appear to be what you want. Try changing them.
On that same Settings window you will see Start Page Favorites, which can also be certain Bookmarks, Tab Groups... etc.
As you can see Safari has grown far more customizable in recent years.
To learn how to capture, edit (if necessary), and post a screenshot to this site refer to the Appendix in Writing an effective Apple Support Communities Question - Apple Community. Skip the entire first part and scroll down about half way.