How To:
- Use Incognito/Private Browser Windows
Applies To:
Steps:
An incognito window could be referred to as a private window or private browsing. This is where your browsing history does not get stored, so it’s kind of like a clean slate. Incognito erases when you close the window or does not store any history at all. This is good for troubleshooting errors with certain websites or software that use the web browser to function.
Chrome:
1. If you already have a window open, you’ll go to the top right corner, click on the three little dots.
2. You should see an option that says, “New Incognito Window,” it should be the third one down. Once you click on this it will open a new dark window. In here, you can go to any website just like a regular window.
Or, use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + N
Firefox:
1. Have a regular window already open, and in the top right corner, there should be three little lines. You will click on this.
2. It will pop up a little window and you should see an option that says, “New Private Window.” Once you click on this it will open a new window, with a dark background. Just like on chrome, you will be able to browse to anything as long as you know the URL.
Or, use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + P
Safari:
1. When you have Safari open, you should be able to see the menu bar up top. In this menu bar, you will click on “File.”
2. Then you will go down to “New Private Window,” once you do this a new window should pop up. You will be able to search in here like a regular window.
Or, use the keyboard shortcut: Command + Shift + N
Edge:
1. When you have Edge open, you should be able to see the menu bar up in the top right hand side, and click the three horizontal dots.
2. Then you will go down to “New InPrivate Window,” once you do this a new window should pop up. You will be able to search in here like a regular window.
Or, use the keyboard shortcut: Command + Shift + N