Opening an incognito window takes one keystroke or three clicks, depending on your browser
An incognito window (called "Private Browsing" in Safari) is a browser mode that does not save your browsing history, cookies, or search terms once you close it. Every tab you open in that window starts fresh — the browser forgets what you did the moment you shut it down. This is useful when you are testing a website on a clean slate, checking how a page looks to someone who has never visited before, or straightforward browsing without a record.
The fastest way to open one depends on which browser you use. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox all use the same keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Command+Shift+N on Mac. Safari uses Command+Shift+N as well in recent versions. If you prefer the menu, every browser offers the option in the main menu or by right-clicking a link.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac) to open an incognito window when ready in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari.
- Incognito windows do not save cookies, history, or form data, so each session starts completely fresh when you close the window.
- You can open multiple incognito windows at the same time, and they work independently of each other and of your regular browsing windows.
- Closing an incognito window erases everything from that session — there is no way to recover the history after you shut it.
Opening incognito in Chrome
In Chrome, the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac) opens a new incognito window when ready. The window will have a dark header and a small spy icon in the top left corner to remind you that you are in incognito mode.
If you prefer the menu: click the three vertical dots in the top right corner, then select "New incognito window" from the dropdown. You can also right-click any link on a page and choose "Open link in incognito window" to jump straight there without opening a blank window first.
Opening incognito in Firefox
Firefox calls this mode "Private Window" instead of incognito, but it works the same way. Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Command+Shift+P (Mac) to open one. The window will have a purple home icon and a mask symbol to show you are in private mode.
From the menu: click the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then select "New Private Window." You can also right-click a link and choose "Open Link in New Private Window" to open it directly in private mode.
Opening incognito in Microsoft Edge
Edge uses the same keyboard shortcut as Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac). The window will show a dark header with an "InPrivate" label to indicate you are browsing privately.
From the menu: click the three dots in the top right corner and select "New InPrivate window." Right-clicking a link gives you the option to "Open link in InPrivate window" as well.
Opening incognito in Safari
Safari added keyboard support for private browsing in version 15 and later. Press Command+Shift+N to open a new private window. The address bar will have a darker appearance to show you are in private mode.
From the menu: click "File" at the top, then select "New Private Window." Safari does not offer a right-click option to open a link in private mode, so you will need to open the private window first and then navigate to the page.
What incognito mode does and does not do
Incognito windows do not save cookies, browsing history, search history, or autofill data. If you log into a website in an incognito window, that login session ends when you close the window. The next time you open an incognito window, you will be logged out again. This is why developers use incognito windows to test whether a login form works correctly or to see how a page appears to a visitor who has never been there before.
Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites you visit. It only hides your browsing from other people who use the same device. If someone has access to your router, your network logs, or your device's network settings, they can still see where you went. Incognito is a privacy tool for your device, not for your connection.
Using multiple incognito windows at once
You can open as many incognito windows as you want, and they work independently of each other. This is useful when you are testing a website with multiple user accounts — you can log into Account A in one incognito window and Account B in another, and they will not interfere with each other because each window has its own set of cookies.
You can also mix incognito and regular windows. A regular window will continue to save history and cookies as usual, while an incognito window in the same browser session will not. Closing one type of window does not affect the other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover my browsing history after I close an incognito window?
No. Once you close an incognito window, everything from that session is permanently deleted. There is no way to recover it. If you need to keep a record of something you looked up, you will need to bookmark it or copy the link before you close the window.
Does incognito mode stop websites from tracking me?
No. Websites can still see you and track your activity while you are in an incognito window. Incognito only prevents your browser from storing cookies and history on your device. It does not hide your activity from the website itself or from your internet service provider.
Will my employer see my incognito browsing if I use their network?
Yes. Incognito mode does not hide your activity from network administrators or firewalls. Your employer can see which websites you visit even if you use an incognito window, because the traffic still goes through their network.
Can I set my browser to always open in incognito mode?
Most browsers do not offer a setting to start in incognito mode by default, because incognito is meant to be a temporary, intentional choice. You can create a shortcut to open an incognito window directly, but the browser itself will not launch in that mode automatically.
Do incognito windows use a different IP address?
No. Incognito mode does not change your IP address or hide your location. It only prevents your browser from storing local data like cookies and history. Your internet service provider and the websites you visit will still see the same IP address.