Enabling Private Browsing in Web Browsers

Owned by June Miller (Deactivated)
Last updated: Jan 13, 2022 by Dan Jakubiak
2 min read

Private browsing windows, or Incognito Mode, are privacy features that most browsers provide to allow users to use the web without the browser storing browsing history and web cache. These windows can also be used to determine if a browser issue is cache-related.

Anonymity

Using “private browsing” does not hide your internet traffic. Private browsing tells your browser to clear all history, cookies and cache when you close the window. Your service provider or network administrators (UConn) can still detect what you are doing. Private browsing windows are perfect for signing into web services on into public computers.

Opening a Private Window in Chrome

  1. Launch Chrome.

  2. Click on the menu button (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner of the window.

  3. Select New Incognito Window. 

  4. A new gray window will open that says "You've gone incognito." Another way to open an incognito window in Chrome is to use the key combination Ctrl + Shift + N.

 Opening a Private Window in Mozilla Firefox

  1. Launch Firefox.

  2. At the top right hand corner of the browser, click the menu button, and then select New Private Window.

  3. The private window will open and you will see a purple mask at the top right corner.

Opening a Private Window in Safari

  1. Launch Safari.

  2. Click File.

  3. Click New Private Window.

Opening a Private Window in Internet Explorer

  1. Launch Internet Explorer.

  2. Select the gear icon on the top right of the page.

  3. Click On Safety.

  4. Select InPrivate Browser. Another way to open a private window on IE is to use the key combination Ctrl + Shift + P.

Opening a Private Window in Microsoft Edge

  1. Launch Edge.

  2. Click on the menu button (three vertical dots) in the top-right corner of the window.

  3. Select New InPrivate Window. 

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