What an incognito window does and doesn't do

An incognito window (called "Private Browsing" on Safari, "InPrivate" on Edge) is a browser mode that doesn't save your browsing history, cookies, or search history to your device. When you close the window, the browser forgets where you went. This is useful if you're shopping for a gift on a shared computer, checking your bank account on a public machine, or straightforward don't want your household to see what sites you visited.

What it does not do matters just as much: your internet service provider can still see which sites you visit. Your employer can see it on a work network. Websites can still track you while you're browsing. Incognito is about keeping your device's local history clean, not about hiding your activity from the internet itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Incognito windows open with a keyboard shortcut on every major browser: Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows, Command+Shift+N on Mac for Chrome and Edge, and Command+Shift+P on Mac for Safari.
  • You can also open incognito through the menu: click the three-dot icon (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) or the hamburger menu, then select the private browsing option.
  • Incognito windows don't save your browsing history, cookies, or autofill data to your device, but your internet service provider and websites can still see your activity.
  • Each incognito window is separate — opening a second one doesn't carry over logins or data from the first, so you may need to sign in again to each site.

Opening incognito on Chrome

The fastest way is the keyboard shortcut: press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac. A new window opens with a dark theme and an incognito icon (a spy hat) in the top left corner.

If you prefer the menu, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome, then select "New incognito window" from the dropdown. Either method opens a fresh window where nothing you do will be saved to your browsing history or stored as cookies on your device.

Opening incognito on Firefox

Use Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on Mac. Firefox calls this "Private Window" and shows a purple mask icon in the top left when you're in one.

You can also click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select "New Private Window." Firefox will remind you that private windows don't make you anonymous online — they just keep local history off your device.

Opening incognito on Safari

Safari's version is called "Private Browsing." Press Command+Shift+N on Mac to open a private window. On iPad or iPhone, tap the tabs icon (two overlapping squares) at the bottom right, then tap "Private" and "Done."

You can also go to File menu > New Private Window on Mac. Safari's address bar turns dark when you're in a private window, making it visually clear that history won't be saved.

Opening incognito on Edge

Microsoft Edge calls it "InPrivate browsing." Press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac. A new window opens with a blue InPrivate icon in the top left.

You can also click the three-dot menu in the top right and select "New InPrivate window." Edge works the same way as Chrome — nothing you do in that window gets saved to your device's history or cookies.

What happens when you close an incognito window

When you close the window, the browser deletes temporary files, cookies, and history from that session. If you were logged into a site (like Gmail or your bank), you'll be logged out. If you open a new incognito window, you'll need to log in again — each incognito window is separate.

Downloads still appear in your Downloads folder, even in incognito. If you don't want a record of what you downloaded, you'll need to delete the file manually. Some browsers let you change this in settings, but the default is to keep the downloaded file.

When incognito isn't enough

If you're on a work computer or a school network, your IT department can see what sites you visit regardless of incognito mode. If you're on your home network and someone has access to your router settings, they can see your traffic. Incognito protects you from people who use your device after you, not from network administrators or your internet service provider.

If you need actual privacy from your internet service provider or network, you need a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool that encrypts your traffic. Incognito and VPN do different jobs — incognito hides your history from your device, a VPN hides your activity from your network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can websites tell I'm in incognito mode?

Some websites can detect it, though most don't bother. A few sites (like some streaming services) may refuse to play content in incognito because they can't store licensing cookies. Most sites straightforward treat incognito the same as a regular window.

Does incognito hide me from my internet service provider?

No. Your ISP can see every site you visit, incognito or not. If you want to hide your activity from your ISP, you need a VPN. Incognito only hides your history from your device.

If I'm logged into my Google account, does incognito still work?

Yes, but Google still knows what you search for and what sites you visit while logged in. Incognito stops your device from saving that history, but it doesn't stop Google from recording it on their servers. Log out of your Google account if you don't want Google to see your searches.

Can I set my browser to always open in incognito mode?

Most browsers don't have a built-in setting for this, but you can create a shortcut that opens incognito by default. On Windows, right-click the Chrome icon, select Properties, and add --incognito to the end of the Target field. On Mac, you can use a script or third-party tool, but it's not a native feature.

What's the difference between incognito and clearing my history?

Clearing history deletes what you already browsed. Incognito prevents the browser from saving anything in the first place. If you forget to clear history after browsing, it's still there. In incognito, there's nothing to forget — it's gone when you close the window.