Brave's private window prompt and how to disable it

Brave shows a prompt offering to open a private window every time you start the browser. If you do not want this prompt, you can turn it off in Brave's settings in about two minutes. The setting is called "Show private window prompt on startup" and lives in the Privacy and security section.

This guide covers where to find that setting on Windows, Mac, and Linux, plus what the private window feature actually does if you decide to keep it. The prompt itself does not affect your browsing — it is just a suggestion that appears when you launch the process. Disabling it is a one-time change that takes effect when ready without requiring a restart.

Key Takeaways

  • The private window prompt appears on startup and can be disabled in Brave's Privacy and security settings under "Show private window prompt on startup".
  • Disabling the prompt does not turn off private windows themselves — you can still open them manually from the menu or with a keyboard shortcut.
  • Private windows in Brave block trackers and do not save browsing history, but they are not the same as a VPN or full anonymity.
  • The setting takes effect when ready after you toggle it off and requires no restart.
  • You can re-enable the prompt at any time by returning to the same settings location and toggling it back on.

Steps to disable the startup prompt on Windows and Linux

Open Brave and click the three horizontal lines (hamburger menu) in the top right corner. Select Settings from the dropdown. On the left sidebar, click Privacy and security.

Scroll down until you see the section labeled Private window. You will see a toggle switch next to "Show private window prompt on startup". Click the toggle to turn it off. The switch will change from blue (on) to gray (off). You can close the settings tab — the change takes effect when ready without any additional steps or confirmation dialogs.

Steps to disable the startup prompt on Mac

Click Brave in the top menu bar, then select Preferences. In the left sidebar, click Privacy and security. Scroll to the Private window section and click the toggle next to "Show private window prompt on startup" to turn it off.

The toggle will change from blue to gray. Close the preferences window and the setting is active. You do not need to restart Brave for this change to take effect. The next time you launch the browser, the prompt will no longer appear.

What private windows actually do

A private window in Brave does not save your browsing history, cookies, or site data after you close it. Brave also blocks many trackers in private windows by default, which means fewer ads will follow you across sites. However, private windows do not hide your IP address or encrypt your traffic — your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see where you are connecting from.

If you need true anonymity or want to hide your location, a private window is not enough. You would need a VPN (virtual private network) or Tor Browser. Private windows are useful if you want to log into two accounts on the same site at once, or if you want to browse without leaving a local record on your device. They are also helpful when using a shared computer and you do not want your activity saved to that machine's history.

How to open a private window manually if you disable the prompt

After you turn off the startup prompt, you can still open private windows whenever you want. Click the hamburger menu and select New private window. On Windows and Linux, you can also press Ctrl + Shift + N. On Mac, press Command + Shift + N.

A new window will open with a dark theme and a lock icon in the address bar. This window works like a normal Brave window except it does not save your history or cookies when you close it. You can have multiple private windows open at the same time, and each one operates independently from your regular browsing windows.

Why Brave shows this prompt

Brave includes the private window prompt because the browser is designed with privacy as a core feature. The company wants users to know that private browsing is available. The prompt is not aggressive — it appears once per startup and disappears if you click elsewhere — but some users find it unnecessary if they rarely use private windows or prefer to decide for themselves when to use them.

Disabling the prompt does not change how Brave handles your data in regular windows. Your normal browsing history, cookies, and site data are still saved as usual unless you manually clear them or use a private window. The prompt is purely informational and has no impact on your actual privacy settings or data handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does disabling the prompt turn off private windows entirely?

No. Disabling the prompt only removes the suggestion that appears when you start Brave. You can still open private windows manually from the menu or with the keyboard shortcut at any time.

Will my browsing be more private if I keep the prompt enabled?

No. The prompt is just a notification. Keeping it enabled or disabling it does not change how Brave handles your data. Your privacy settings remain the same either way.

Can I turn the prompt back on if I change my mind?

Yes. Go back to Settings > Privacy and security > Private window and toggle "Show private window prompt on startup" back on. The prompt will appear again the next time you start Brave.

What is the keyboard shortcut to open a private window?

On Windows and Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + N. On Mac, press Command + Shift + N. This works whether or not the startup prompt is enabled.

Does a private window hide my IP address from websites?

No. Private windows prevent local history and cookie storage, but websites and your internet service provider can still see your IP address and location. For IP hiding, you need a VPN or Tor Browser.