diff --git a/src/vs/sessions/contrib/welcome/browser/welcome.contribution.ts b/src/vs/sessions/contrib/welcome/browser/welcome.contribution.ts
index 38efd395a1c..b648d5e4c6b 100644
--- a/src/vs/sessions/contrib/welcome/browser/welcome.contribution.ts
+++ b/src/vs/sessions/contrib/welcome/browser/welcome.contribution.ts
@@ -147,10 +147,15 @@ class SessionsWelcomeContribution extends Disposable implements IWorkbenchContri
 			return;
 		}
 
-		// Allow automated tests to skip the welcome overlay entirely
+		// Allow automated tests to skip the welcome overlay entirely.
+		// Desktop: --skip-sessions-welcome CLI flag
+		// Web: ?skip-sessions-welcome query parameter
 		if ('args' in this.environmentService && (this.environmentService as any).args?.['skip-sessions-welcome']) {
 			return;
 		}
+		if (typeof globalThis.location !== 'undefined' && new URLSearchParams(globalThis.location.search).has('skip-sessions-welcome')) {
+			return;
+		}
 
 		const isFirstLaunch = !this.storageService.getBoolean(WELCOME_COMPLETE_KEY, StorageScope.APPLICATION, false);
 		if (isFirstLaunch) {