Why you might want to block private browsing

Private browsing (called InPrivate in Microsoft Edge) opens a window that doesn't save your browsing history, cookies, or search terms. When you close it, Edge deletes those records. This is useful for you when you want privacy from other people using your device — but it's a problem if you're a parent or manager trying to monitor what someone else is doing online, or if you're concerned about someone on a shared device hiding their activity.

Blocking private browsing means that when someone tries to open an InPrivate window, they either can't do it at all or they get a message saying it's not allowed. The person using the device will still see the option to try, but it won't work. This is different from straightforward not knowing how to use private browsing — you're actively preventing the feature from functioning.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, you can block InPrivate through Group Policy (on Pro, Enterprise, or Education versions) or through Settings on any Windows version.
  • On Mac, you need to use Terminal commands or third-party management tools, since Mac doesn't have Group Policy.
  • Blocking private browsing requires administrator access to the device, and the person using it will see that the feature is disabled.
  • If someone has their own administrator account, they can re-enable private browsing themselves, so this works best on shared devices where you control all accounts.

Blocking InPrivate on Windows using Group Policy

If you're using Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education (not Home), you can use Group Policy Editor to block InPrivate across the whole device. Open the Run dialog by pressing Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge. Find the policy called "Allow InPrivate browsing" and set it to Disabled.

This method works because Group Policy is a Windows feature that enforces settings at the system level — Edge will respect this setting even if someone tries to change it through the browser's own settings. The change takes effect when ready, though Edge may need to be closed and reopened for the user to see the blocked option.

Blocking InPrivate on any Windows version through Settings

If you have Windows Home or don't want to use Group Policy, you can block InPrivate through Edge's own settings. Open Microsoft Edge, go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to Clear browsing data and toggle off "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser" if it's on. Then find the section labeled "Allow InPrivate browsing" and toggle it off.

This method is simpler but weaker — someone with administrator access can turn it back on by going to the same settings page. It works best if you're the only person with administrator rights on the device, or if you're managing a device for someone who doesn't know how to access settings.

Blocking InPrivate on Mac

Mac doesn't have Group Policy, so your options are more limited. The most direct method is to use Terminal to modify Edge's preferences file. Open Terminal, paste the command defaults write com.microsoft.edgemac InPrivateBrowsingAllowed -bool false, and press Enter. This disables InPrivate at the system level for that user account.

If you want to block it across all user accounts on a Mac, you'll need to run the command with sudo (administrator privileges) or use a mobile device management tool like Jamf or Microsoft Intune if your Mac is enrolled in one. For most home setups, the Terminal command for each account is sufficient.

What happens when InPrivate is blocked

When someone tries to open an InPrivate window on a device where you've blocked it, they'll see the InPrivate button in the menu, but clicking it won't open a new window. Instead, Edge will show a message saying the feature is disabled by policy or settings. The person will still be able to browse normally in regular windows, which will save history as usual.

This is visible and transparent — the user will know the feature is blocked, not just unavailable by accident. If you're blocking InPrivate on a device you share with someone else, expect them to notice and potentially ask why.

Limitations and what this doesn't prevent

Blocking InPrivate in Edge doesn't prevent someone from using a different browser entirely. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera all have their own private browsing modes, and blocking Edge's version won't affect them. If monitoring activity is your goal, blocking one browser's private mode is only part of the picture.

Also, if someone has their own administrator account on the device, they can re-enable InPrivate themselves by reversing these steps. This method works best when you control all administrator accounts and the person using the device doesn't have admin rights. On a device where multiple people have admin access, this is more of a courtesy than a real barrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will blocking InPrivate slow down Edge or cause problems?

No. Disabling InPrivate doesn't affect Edge's performance or stability. It straightforward removes one feature from the browser. Everything else works normally.

Can I block InPrivate just for one user account instead of the whole device?

On Windows, Group Policy applies to the whole device. On Mac, the Terminal command applies to one account at a time, so you can run it separately for each account you want to restrict. On Windows, if you only want to block it for one standard user account, you'd need to use a third-party tool or manage it through a work device management system.

What if someone uninstalls Edge and reinstalls it?

On Windows with Group Policy, the setting will still explore after reinstall because it's enforced at the system level. On Mac or Windows using Settings, reinstalling Edge will reset the browser to defaults, so InPrivate would be available again unless you re-run the blocking steps.

Is there a way to block InPrivate without the user knowing?

Not really. The user will see that InPrivate is disabled when they try to use it. You can't hide the fact that a feature is blocked — you can only control whether they have the technical ability to unblock it themselves.