The Chromium version of Microsoft Edge works like a charm. It’s pretty fast in terms of performance (the old Edge browser was terrible), supports a large library of extensions, and seamlessly syncs your browsing data across devices. You should have a lot of fun while using it.
But to make things pretty complicated, Microsoft Edge Chromium also brings an InPrivate browsing mode to the table. It’s pretty similar to InPrivate in the non-Chromium version of Edge and keeps no logs of your offline browsing history. Unless you’re the only user of Microsoft Edge Chromium on your PC or Mac, it’s a bad idea to have InPrivate browsing windows hanging around.
For starters, you have no idea what your friend, sibling, or coworker is doing on your PC or Mac. Add the kids to mix it up and it’s just a recipe for disaster. So, if you want absolute surveillance over what’s going on on your PC or Mac, you should consider disabling InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium.
A while ago, I discussed how you should turn off Incognito mode in Chrome. Since Microsoft Edge Chromium carries the same rendering engine, we will use a similar process to disable InPrivate browsing. Let’s start with the Windows version of Microsoft Edge Chromium and then move on to the macOS version.
Disable InPrivate Browsing in Windows
Disabling InPrivate browsing windows in Microsoft Edge Chromium requires you to create a simple entry in your Windows 10 device’s system registry. However, instead of fiddling with the Registry Editor and potentially messing things up, I recommend using Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell in Windows 10 to get the job done. The process is quite easy and can be performed in a few seconds.
Stage 1: Use the Windows Key+S keyboard shortcut to open Windows Search. In summer cmd Click on the search bar and then Run as Administrator to launch an elevated Command Prompt console.
If you prefer to use Windows PowerShell instead, type power shield instead enter Windows Search and then click Run as Administrator.
Step 2: Copy and paste the following command into the Command Prompt console:
REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge /v InPrivateModeAvailability /t REG_DWORD /d 1
If you have Windows PowerShell open, copy and paste this command instead:
cmd.exe /c REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge /v InPrivateModeAvailability /t REG_DWORD /d 1
Press Enter. When the ‘Operation Completed Successfully’ message appears on the screen, exit the Command Prompt or PowerShell window.
Stage 3: Quit Microsoft Edge Chromium, restart and you should find the option to open new InPrivate browsing windows grayed out in the Edge menu. Also, the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N will not work for the New InPrivate Window.
If you want to re-enable InPrivate browsing windows later, type the following command in an elevated Command Prompt console and press Enter:
REG DELETE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge /v InPrivateModeAvailability /f
If you prefer to use Windows PowerShell, copy and paste this command instead:
cmd.exe /c REG DELETE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge /v InPrivateModeAvailability /f
Make sure to exit and restart Microsoft Edge Chromium for the change to take effect.
Disable InPrivate Browsing on macOS
Disabling InPrivate browsing windows in Microsoft Edge Chromium on Mac involves running a specific command via the macOS Terminal. Follow the steps below and you should have it done in no time.
Stage 1: Open Finder, click Go on the macOS menu bar, then choose Utilities.
Step 2: Double-click the icon labeled Terminal to launch macOS Terminal.
Fly: You can also use Spotlight (press Cmd+Spacebar > type Terminal > press Enter) to get to Terminal faster.
Stage 3: Copy and paste the following command into Terminal:
defaults write com.microsoft.edge InPrivateModeAvailability -integer 1
Press Enter to execute the command and then exit Terminal.
Step 4: Save your work, restart your Mac, and then open Microsoft Edge Chromium.
Open the Edge menu and the option to launch InPrivate browsing windows should be grayed out. Also, the function-dependent Shift+Cmd+N keyboard shortcut will not work either.
If you want to re-enable InPrivate browsing windows later, simply type the following command in a Terminal window and press Enter:
defaults write com.microsoft.edge InPrivateModeAvailability -integer 0
Remember to restart your Mac for the change to take effect.
Privacy Matters… Not
Privacy is important, but not if you want to keep an eye on what’s going on on your PC or Mac at all times. Of course, anyone can cover their tracks by deleting their browsing history instead. But the lack of InPrivate browsing windows gets rid of the convenience factor and will definitely help, at least to some degree.
So what was your reason for turning off InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge Chromium? Leave a comment and let us know.
Next: Disabled InPrivate browsing windows in Microsoft Edge Chromium on your Mac? This does not prevent someone from using Safari privately for browsing. Here’s how to disable Private browsing windows in Safari.
