How to Open a Private Browsing Window

Whether you are using a shared computer on campus or wish to browse the web without saving your history, private browsing mode (sometimes called "incognito mode") is a useful feature. This guide will show you how to open a private browsing window in the four most common internet browsers: Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari.

What is Private Browsing?

Private browsing is a setting that temporarily prevents your browser from saving your browsing history, cookies, and search queries. It’s useful when:

  • You are managing multiple accounts and want to avoid interference with logged-in sessions.
  • You don’t want others to see your browsing history on shared or public devices.
  • You need to browse without being tracked by certain websites (though note that your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still track your activity).

Below are the instructions for opening a private browsing window in the most common browsers.

Why Use Private Browsing?

  • Troubleshooting: Private browsing windows are used to troubleshoot websites and logins.
  • Protect Personal Data: When using a shared or public computer, private browsing can help protect your personal information and browsing history.
  • Managing Multiple Logins: If you need to log in to multiple accounts on the same service, private browsing allows you to manage multiple sessions without logging out.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome’s private browsing mode is called Incognito Mode.

Steps to Open an Incognito Window:

  1. Windows/Linux:

    • Open Chrome.
    • Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the browser.
    • Choose New Incognito window from the menu.
    • You can also press Ctrl + Shift + N on your keyboard to open an Incognito window.

  2. Mac:

    • Open Chrome.
    • Click the three dots in the upper-right corner.
    • Select New Incognito window.
    • You can also use the shortcut Command + Shift + N.

How to Know You’re in Incognito Mode:

The Incognito window will have a dark theme, and you will see the Incognito icon (a hat and glasses) in the top corner. A message will also explain what Chrome does and does not save.

Mozilla Firefox

Mozilla Firefox offers a Private Browsing mode that helps ensure your activities are not saved locally.

Steps to Open a Private Window:

  1. Windows/Linux:

    • Open Firefox.
    • Click the three lines (menu icon) in the upper-right corner.
    • Select New Private Window.
    • Alternatively, press Ctrl + Shift + P to open a private window.

  2. Mac:

    • Open Firefox.
    • Click the three lines (menu icon) in the upper-right corner.
    • Select New Private Window.
    • You can also use Command + Shift + P on your keyboard.

How to Know You’re in Private Browsing Mode:

The new window will display a purple mask icon in the corner, and a message will inform you that private browsing is enabled.

Microsoft Edge

In Microsoft Edge, the private browsing feature is called "InPrivate mode."

Steps to Open an InPrivate Window:

  1. Windows/Linux:

    • Open Edge.
    • Click the three dots in the upper-right corner of the browser.
    • Select New InPrivate window from the drop-down menu.
    • Alternatively, use the shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + N.

  2. Mac:

    • Open Edge.
    • Click the three dots in the upper-right corner.
    • Select New InPrivate window from the drop-down menu.
    • You can also press Command + Shift + N on your keyboard.

How to Know You’re in InPrivate Mode:

Once the new window opens, you will see the "InPrivate" label in the corner and a message explaining what data is not being saved (browsing history, cookies, etc.).

Apple Safari

Safari’s private browsing feature is available on macOS and iOS devices.

Steps to Open a Private Window (macOS):

  1. Open Safari.
  2. In the top menu bar, click File.
  3. Select New Private Window from the drop-down menu.
  4. You can also press Command + Shift + N to open a private browsing window directly.

Steps to Open a Private Window (iOS):

  1. Open the Safari app.
  2. Tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) in the bottom-right corner.
  3. Tap Private in the bottom-left corner, then select Done.

How to Know You’re in Private Browsing Mode:

On macOS, the window will have a dark smart search field and the word Private will be shown in the address bar. On iOS, the private browsing mode will also have a darker theme, indicating that private browsing is enabled.

What Private Browsing Does and Does Not Do

Private Browsing Does:

  • Prevent your browser from storing browsing history, cookies, and site data.
  • Prevents autofill information from being saved.
  • Clear cookies and site data after you close the window.

Private Browsing Does Not:

  • Hide your activity from websites, your internet service provider, or your network administrator.
  • Make you fully anonymous on the internet.

 

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