Opening an incognito tab in Opera GX takes one click

An incognito tab in Opera GX works the same way as in other browsers: it doesn't save your browsing history, cookies, or search terms once you close it. To open one, press Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Command + Shift + N on Mac. You can also right-click the Opera GX icon in your taskbar and select "New private window," or use the menu button (three horizontal lines in the top left) and choose "New private window."

The private window opens as a separate browser window with a dark theme and a small mask icon in the top left corner. Anything you do inside stays inside — no history, no autofill suggestions, no tracking cookies saved to your computer. When you close the window, all of that data disappears.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac) to open a private window when ready.
  • Private windows in Opera GX do not save history, cookies, or autofill data after you close them.
  • A small mask icon in the top left corner shows you are in a private window.
  • Your internet service provider and websites you visit can still see your activity even in a private window.

What a private window does and does not hide

A private window hides your activity from your own computer. Your browser won't remember the sites you visited, won't suggest them in the address bar next time, and won't store login information. If someone else uses your computer, they won't see a record of where you went.

A private window does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites themselves. If you log into an account, that website knows who you are and what you did. If you are on a work network, your IT department can still see the traffic. A private window is about keeping your local browsing history clean, not about anonymity online.

Opening multiple private windows at once

You can open as many private windows as you want. Each one is separate — you can be logged into different accounts in different windows, or keep research for different projects side by side without them mixing in your history.

To open a second private window while one is already open, use the keyboard shortcut again (Ctrl + Shift + N or Command + Shift + N). A new private window will appear. You can switch between them using Alt + Tab (Windows) or Command + Tab (Mac), or click them in your taskbar.

Switching between private and regular browsing

Opera GX keeps private and regular windows completely separate. A regular window saves everything; a private window saves nothing. You can have both open at the same time without them interfering with each other.

If you start in a regular window and want to switch to private, open a new private window instead of trying to convert the one you have. Closing a private window erases everything in it, so if you need to keep something, copy the link or text before you close it.

Private windows and extensions in Opera GX

Most extensions work in private windows, but some are disabled by default for security reasons. If an extension you use isn't working in a private window, you can turn it on manually. Click the extensions icon (puzzle piece) in the top right, find the extension, and toggle it on for private windows.

Be aware that some extensions track your activity or collect data. Turning off an extension in private windows is one way to prevent that tracking in sensitive sessions. Check your extension settings if you want to know what data each one collects.

Using Opera GX's built-in privacy features alongside private windows

Opera GX has a built-in ad blocker and tracker blocker that work in both regular and private windows. These are separate from the private window feature — they block ads and tracking scripts on every page you visit, whether you are in a private window or not.

You can adjust these settings in the sidebar (click the shield icon on the left). The tracker blocker shows you how many trackers were blocked on each page. Using these tools alongside private windows gives you more control over what data leaves your computer, though again, your internet service provider and the websites themselves will still see your activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a private window hide my IP address?

No. A private window hides your browsing history from your computer, but your IP address is visible to every website you visit and to your internet service provider. If you need to hide your IP address, you would need a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool from a private window.

Can my employer see what I do in a private window on a work computer?

Yes. A private window hides your history from the computer itself, but if you are on a work network, your employer's network monitoring can still see the traffic. Private windows do not protect you from network-level monitoring.

What happens to passwords I enter in a private window?

Opera GX will not save the password to your computer. However, the website you log into will know you logged in, and if you are using a shared computer, someone could see what you typed if they are watching. Private windows protect your local history, not your activity on the website itself.

Can I set Opera GX to always open in private mode?

Opera GX does not have a setting to make all windows private by default. You can open a private window each time using the keyboard shortcut, or you can create a separate user profile in Opera GX if you want a browsing space that never saves history.

Does closing a private window delete everything?

Yes. When you close a private window, Opera GX deletes the history, cookies, and cached files from that session. If you need to keep something, copy the link or information before you close the window.