How do I open a private browsing or incognito window?

Most browsers have a "private browsing" or "incognito mode", a privacy feature that prevents your browsing history from being stored. This is not meant as a way to be anonymous on the internet, however it's an easy way to not log your browsing history.

Here's how to open a private browsing window in common browsers:

 

Google Chrome

To open an incognito window, start Chrome and select the menu in the top right corner of the window. Choose New Incognito Window and start browsing. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+ Shift + N to bring up a new incognito window without entering the Chrome settings menu.

 

Microsoft Edge

To launch InPrivate Browsing, start Edge, choose the menu in the top right corner of the window and select New InPrivate window. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P to launch it. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Edge taskbar icon and select New InPrivate window.

 

Microsoft Internet Explorer

To launch InPrivate Browsing in Internet Explorer, select on Settings > Safety > InPrivate Browsing. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+P to launch it. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Internet Explorer taskbar icon and select Start InPrivate Browsing.

 

Safari

Choose File > New Private Window, or switch to a Safari window that’s already using Private Browsing. A window that’s using Private Browsing has a dark Smart Search field with white text.

 

Firefox

To enable private browsing in Firefox, select the hamburger icon at the top right and then choose New Private Window. You can also just use the CTRL + SHIFT + P keyboard shortcut. You will be able to tell you are in private mode because of the mask located in the top right of the window.