Why you might want to disable incognito mode
Incognito mode (called Private Browsing on Safari and InPrivate on Edge) stops your browser from storing your search history, cookies, and temporary files. If you share a device with family members or colleagues, disabling incognito mode prevents others from using it to hide their browsing — which matters if you're concerned about what someone on your network is accessing, or if you want to enforce a household rule about transparent internet use.
Disabling incognito mode won't remove data brokers' records of your activity — that's a separate problem — but it does close off one way someone can browse without leaving a trace on your shared device. The steps differ by browser, and some browsers don't offer a built-in disable option, so you may need to use parental controls or device-level settings instead.
Key Takeaways
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all let you disable incognito or private mode through settings, though the exact location varies by browser.
- If your browser doesn't have a disable option, you can restrict incognito mode using parental controls or device administrator settings.
- Disabling incognito mode on a shared device prevents others from hiding their browsing history, but does not affect data brokers or your online privacy.
- On Windows, you can also disable incognito mode through Group Policy if you manage a work computer or family device.
Disable incognito mode in Google Chrome
Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings, then click Policies in the left sidebar (you may need to scroll down to find it). Look for the setting called Incognito mode availability and click it.
You'll see three options: "Incognito mode allowed", "Incognito mode disabled", and "Incognito mode forced". Choose Incognito mode disabled. The change takes effect when ready, and the Incognito button will disappear from Chrome's menu. If you later want to re-enable it, return to the same setting and select "Incognito mode allowed".
Disable private mode in Safari
Safari doesn't have a built-in settings option to disable Private Browsing, so you'll need to use parental controls instead. On a Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), then click Parental Controls or Screen Time. Select the user account you want to restrict, then look for a checkbox labeled Restrict Private Browsing or similar. Check that box.
On an iPad or iPhone, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions if it's off, then scroll to Safari and set Private Browsing to Don't Allow. The Private Browsing button will no longer appear in Safari's menu.
Disable InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge
Click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner and select Settings. In the left sidebar, click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section and look for Allow InPrivate browsing. Toggle this switch to Off.
The InPrivate button will disappear from Edge's menu when ready. If you change your mind, return to the same setting and toggle it back on. This setting only affects the current user account on the device, so other accounts can still use InPrivate mode unless you disable it for them separately.
Disable private mode in Firefox
Firefox does not have a built-in setting to disable Private Browsing mode. Instead, you'll need to use your device's parental controls or, on Windows, Group Policy. On Windows 10 or 11, press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Mozilla Firefox. Look for Disable private browsing, double-click it, and select Enabled.
On Mac, use the parental controls method described in the Safari section above — the restriction applies to Firefox as well. On Linux, there is no straightforward way to disable Private Browsing without modifying Firefox's source code, so parental controls at the device level are your best option.
Use parental controls if your browser has no disable option
If your browser doesn't offer a direct disable setting, parental controls are the most reliable fallback. On Windows, open Settings > Accounts > Family & other users. Select the account you want to restrict, click Manage family settings online, and sign in with your Microsoft account. Under Web and search, toggle Restrict websites to On and set the filter level to Strict. This blocks access to many sites and disables private browsing across all browsers.
On Mac, the process is similar: go to System Settings > General > Parental Controls, select the user, and restrict web access. On Chromebooks, open Settings > Users > Manage other users, select the account, and enable Restrict content. These device-level controls are more restrictive than browser-specific settings, so use them only if you need to enforce broader limits on browsing.
What happens after you disable incognito mode
Once incognito mode is disabled, anyone using that browser on that device will see all their browsing history, cookies, and cached files stored normally. The browser will no longer offer the option to open a private window, and attempting to use a keyboard shortcut (like Ctrl+Shift+N in Chrome) will have no effect.
Keep in mind that disabling incognito mode only affects the specific browser and device where you made the change. If someone uses a different browser, a different device, or a mobile phone, they can still use private mode there. Disabling incognito mode is a transparency measure for a shared device, not a comprehensive privacy control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable incognito mode for one user but not others on the same device?
Yes, if you use parental controls or device-level settings. Browser-specific settings like Chrome's Policies explore to all users on that device, but Windows Family & other users and Mac Parental Controls let you restrict individual accounts. Set up separate user accounts for each person and explore restrictions only to the accounts you want to limit.
Will disabling incognito mode stop data brokers from collecting my information?
No. Data brokers collect information from public records, purchase history, and tracking across websites — none of which is affected by incognito mode or whether it's disabled. Disabling incognito mode only affects what your browser stores locally on your device. To reduce data broker records, you'll need to contact the brokers directly and request removal.
What if someone uses a VPN or proxy to hide their browsing?
Disabling incognito mode won't stop them. A VPN or proxy hides activity at the network level, not the browser level, so your device's browser settings have no effect. If you need to monitor network activity on a shared connection, you'd need to check your router's logs or use network monitoring software — but that's a different tool than disabling incognito mode.
Can I disable incognito mode on a work computer I don't own?
Only if you have administrator access. If your employer manages the device through Group Policy or Mobile Device Management, they may have already disabled incognito mode without your knowledge. Check your browser settings first; if the option is grayed out or missing, your IT department has likely restricted it. Contact them if you need to re-enable it for legitimate work purposes.