Review this tutorial to learn all about Incognito mode. Learn to Open Incognito Tab on various browsers and different operating systems:
Private browsing, or going Incognito, as we know it today, is not a new concept. It has been around since 2005. But it took some time for every browser to get on to it. It doesn’t matter if you are using Chrome, or Firefox, or any other browser, you can surf incognito easily. In this article, we are going to tell you how to open an this tab in various browsers.
What is Incognito Mode, and how safe is it?
This mode allows you to browse privately in any browser. It is a mode where your history and cookies aren’t saved after you end your browsing session. It allows you to surf the web as if you are a first-timer on the site. Every website you visit using incognito will assume you haven’t been on that site ever before. This means, there is no login information, no saved cookies, or auto-filled webforms.
But if you sign in to your personal account on a website from incognito, your data will be saved for the session. It will be erased if you exit completely, but it will be a source of data collection for websites you visit while you are signed in.
You can enable third-party cookies before you start surfing incognito which are generally blocked by default. By blocking cookies, incognito prevents you from seeing many ads, but it might affect how certain website functions.
So how private is Incognito browsing? Well, it doesn’t save your cookies and history, but if you download or bookmark something, it will stay visible to all those who use your system even after you end the session.
Also, it doesn’t protect you from virus and malware attacks or prevent your Internet service provider from seeing where have you been online. Your incognito sessions are not as private as you think.
As we said, if you are incognito and sign in to websites during your session, they can identify you. Also, your network or device administrator at work can see everything you do, even in your incognito session. You are visible to your ISP. And your search engine can see you too. But the benefits often surpass these worries.
You get to avoid the saved cookies and hide your search history from the prying eyes of people around you. Also, your online activity stays protected, which means fewer ads and suggestions if you don’t sign in to your accounts.
Suggested Reading =>> Chrome Free & Commercial Ad Blockers
Tip# If you are keeping an eye on flight fares, use the incognito tab. It will prevent their prices from rising the more you search.
Table of Contents:
How To Open Incognito Tab
Here’s how to open the incognito tab on various browsers.
Open Incognito In Chrome
Although almost all browsers call their private browsing incognito when Chrome launched the tool in 2008, just a few months after its debut, Google gets the credit for inventing the name.
On Laptop
Let us see how to open an incognito window in Windows Chrome. Just press Ctrl-Shift-N. For opening it on macOS, press Command-Shift-N. Or, you can click on the three vertical dots at the upper right menu and select the New incognito window option from the drop-down list.
You can recognize the incognito window by its dark background and a stylized spy icon near three vertical dots. Each time you open a new incognito window, Chrome will remind you of what it can do or can’t do.
On Android
Open the Chrome app and click on the three vertical dots, select the New Incognito tab to be on a new window.
On iPhone
Launch the Chrome app, click on three horizontal dots and select New Incognito Tab. You can now browse.
Missing Incognito Mode In Chrome
What will you do if your incognito option is disabled in Chrome? Usually, this doesn’t happen, but you will have to edit Registry if you see that option disabled.
Follow the steps below to do it:
- Open Run prompt by pressing Windows+R keys together.
- Type regedit and hit enter.
- Go to HKEY\LocalMachine\SOFTWARE\Policies\
- Find Chrome\Policies
- Double-click on IncognitoModeAvailability
- Edit it and change the value 1 to 0.
- Click OK and exit.
Open Incognito In Apple Safari
You can easily go incognito on Safari as well.
On Mac
To open the Incognito tab in Safari, click on the File menu and select the “New Private Window” option or you can press Shift + 
+ N.
On iOS
Tap on the new tab icon. You will find it in the lower-right corner right at the bottom. Select the “private” option in the lower-left corner. Your screen will turn grey and viola, you are in the private browsing mode. To exit, click on Done.
Open Incognito In Microsoft Edge
Go to the Edge menu, three horizontal data at the browser’s right hand, and click on it. Select New InPrivate window. Or, you can just click Shift + CTRL + P.
Open Incognito In Internet Explorer
Go to the Gear menu at the top right-hand corner of the browser. Go to the Safety option and click on InPrivate Browsing from the extended menu. Or, you can use the keyboard shortcut Shift + CTRL + P.
Open Incognito In Mozilla Firefox
Click on the three vertical lines upper-right-hand corner to open the Firefox menu. From the dropdown menu, select New Private Window. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Shift + + P for macOS and Shift + CTRL + P for Windows and Linux.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q #1) Why can’t I open an incognito window in Chrome?
Answer: It could be because your incognito option is disabled. You will have to edit the registry. Open Run option and type regedit. Go to HKEY/LocalMachine\SOFTWARE\Policies\Chrome/Policies. Double-click on IncognitoModeAvailability to edit it. Change the value 1 to 0, click ok, and exit. You should be able to open the incognito window now.
Q #2) Is Incognito safe?
Answer: Well, it will not protect you from malware and virus attacks, or prevent your ISP from seeing where you have been online. The websites can see your physical location as well. And if you save bookmarks, they won’t disappear after you exit. But other than that, it’s safe when it comes to hiding your history and cookies.
Q #3) What are the disadvantages of incognito mode?
Answer: It doesn’t hide you from ISP, hackers, government, or your network monitor at work. Advertisers can still track you and it can’t hide the tabs you are working on unless you close them. Your bookmarks and download stay. And if anyone queries DNS on your device, they can see which websites you have visited.
Q #4) Can I disable private browsing?
Answer: You can disable the incognito and InPrivate browsing on your laptop and PC. But not on Android smartphones and Apple tablets. To disable, click Windows+R keys and type regedit. Hit enter. Navigate to HKEY_Local_Machine\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome. You will need to add a new key here.
Right-click on the empty space, select add new, click on the key. Add a new dword IncognitoModeAvailability and put its value to 00000001. Restart Chrome and the value will be disabled.
To disable InPrivate browsing, search for the Local Group Policy Editor. In the left pane, go to Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Edge. In the right pane, double-click on the Turn off InPrivate browsing, select disable, exit the Local Group Policy Editor, and restart Edge.
Q #5) Where is the incognito button?
Answer: The easiest way to open is with Ctrl-Shift-N in Windows and Command-Shift-N on macOS. Or you can use the three vertical dots to access the menu and open the incognito tab.
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Conclusion
Using incognito is good for certain things, like tracking flight tickets and hiding your activities from someone who has access to your device, especially if you are planning a surprise. Also, you can use it for troubleshooting any issue with extensions.
Since all the toolbars and extensions are disabled in incognito, you can use them there to see which ones are causing the issue.