Incognito mode in web browsers is a much needed privacy feature that allows users to browse the web from a temporary session isolated from the main instance of that browser on your PC. No browsing history is saved during these sessions and cookies, cache etc. all local data is cleared. While you may know how to start an Incognito session for your favorite browser, you may not know that you can configure browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge Chromium to open in incognito (private) mode by default every time. time.
Open Chrome, Firefox, and Edge in Incognito Mode by Default
Introduced as ‘Private Mode’ in Apple Safari over a decade ago, the Incognito feature has since gained immense popularity among netizens. owner Since it was adopted by Google, Mozilla, Microsoft and other browser manufacturers for their respective web browsers. In this article, we will show you multiple ways to open Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge Chromium in Incognito (or private) mode by default in Windows 10.
Start an Incognito Session in Any Web Browser
The easiest way to start an Incognito session in any browser, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge Chromium, is the Taskbar shortcut. For that, first pin the shortcut of that app to the Taskbar if it’s not already there. Then right click and select New incognito window In case of Chrome, New Private Window for Firefox and New InPrivate Window In Edge Chromium.
Always Open Google Chrome In Incognito Mode
Note: You need to be logged in as an administrator on your Windows 10 computer to do the tricks below..
Method 1: By Changing Target Path in Desktop Shortcut
- First, check if you have a desktop shortcut for Chrome. If you do, skip this step and go to step 2. Otherwise, create a shortcut by going to the Chrome installation folder and right-clicking the executable (chrome.exe) > Send > To Desktop (create shortcut).
Note: By default, installation folder for 64-bit application C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application (64-bit). For 32 bit, choose Program Files (x86) in the first step.
- Right-click the Chrome shortcut icon on your desktop and Properties.
- In the properties window, Shortcut tab [1] and find your place Aim Box. Add After” -hidden” (without the quotes; also add a space before the hyphen) at the end of the existing path and click on OK. Confirm when prompted for administrator permission.
- You can also change the Chrome shortcut icon to Google’s Incognito icon by clicking the icon. Change Icon Press the button and select the hidden icon from the available options.
Method 2: Using the Windows Registry (Regedit)
- Open the Windows Registry Editor. To do this, search for “regedit” in the Windows Search Bar and click on the first result.
- Now go to:
Computer > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Policiesusing the left pane. If you see a folder named ‘Google’, skip this step. Otherwise, create the folder manually by right-clicking. Policies > New > Key. Name the new entry Google.
- Now right click on the newly created Google folder and create another key and name it Chromium. The final hierarchy should be “.Policies > Google > Chrome“As seen below.
- Now select the new Chrome folder. Then right click on the empty right pane and New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new entry Incognito ModeAvailability and then right click and select change.
- Assign hexadecimal value “2nd” (without quotes) and click OK Restart Chrome to apply the change to save your setting.
From now on, Every time you open Chrome from anywhere on your computer, you get an Incognito window Regardless of whether you choose the incognito mode or not. To revert, change “IncognitoModeAvailability” to 0 or delete it completely.
Open Mozilla Firefox in Private Mode by Default
To always start Mozilla Firefox in Private Mode, follow the simple steps detailed below:
Method 1: Using Desktop Shortcut
This method is similar to Method 1 for Chrome. Here we will change the target path of the Firefox shortcut to make the browser open in private mode every time.
- Create the Firefox desktop shortcut if it’s not already there by following the Chrome tutorial above. Then right click and select Properties.
- Next, go to: Shortcut Click on the tab and – private window” (without quotes; use a space before the first hyphen) at the end of the default target path. click OK and grant admin permission if prompted.
Method 2: Using In-App Settings
- To access Firefox settings. Click on the hamburger menu (three parallel lines) in the upper-right corner of an open Firefox window and Options.
- choose now Privacy and security Go to History in left pane and right pane.
- Use the drop-down menu to select ‘.Use custom settings for history‘.
- Now check the box next to ‘Always Use Private Browsing Mode‘. When you restart, Firefox always starts in private browsing mode.
Open Microsoft Edge Chromium In InPrivate Mode By Default
To launch Microsoft Edge Chromium in Private Mode every time, follow the same process described in Method 1 for both Chrome and Firefox.
- If you don’t have the Edge Chromium shortcut on the desktop, go to and create one: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application and then right click msedge.exe > Send > Desktop (create shortcut).
- Now right click on Edge Chromium shortcut and Properties.
- at Properties > Shortcut “ – special” (without quotes; use a space before the hyphen) at the end of the default target path. click OK and grant admin permission if prompted.
This much. Microsoft Edge Chromium will now open in InPrivate (private or incognito) mode every time it’s launched.
Open Browsers In Private Mode To Improve Your Online Privacy
Note that in case you use method #1 for Chrome and Firefox, browsers will only open in incognito/private mode when started from shortcut with target path changed. You can undo the changes by deleting the attachments in the ‘Target’ box at the end. If you don’t want to use incognito mode by default in your browser, you can protect privacy by deleting browsing history in Chrome, Firefox and Edge Chromium.
As for incognito mode, it’s available not only in web browsers, but also in most of Google’s online services and apps, including Maps, YouTube, and more. You can enable it on Google Maps and YouTube by following our step-by-step tutorials. To further enhance your online privacy, you can also check out our guide on how to fake geolocation in your browser and how to disable location tracking in Windows 10.
