What is private browsing mode, and is it really private?

What is private browsing?

All major browsers offer a setting that allows you to go incognito while online. Private browsing works by removing local data from your web browsing sessions. Using this incognito mode means that no search history is saved, cookies are disabled or blocked, and trackers and third-party toolbars are disabled. When you’re not using private browsing mode on your browser, every URL of every webpage you visit is saved. If you’d like to delete your browsing history, you must do it manually.

People use this feature to protect their personal data or browsing history, especially on shared devices. It’s also a simple way to log out of websites if you’re using a shared computer, as long as you remember to close your browser window when you’re done.

Since a private search function doesn’t store cookies, you won’t get ads related to the websites you visited while using your private browsing window. You may even find better prices for hotels and plane tickets while searching in a private web browser, since geolocation services will be disabled.

How to turn private browsing on and off

When using your Microsoft Edge browser, it’s easy to use the private browsing feature. InPrivate mode opens a new dedicated window that prevents websites, cookies, and trackers from accessing your browsing activity. When you close your InPrivate windows, Microsoft Edge automatically deletes all your browsing and download history, along with cached images, passwords, and autofill form data.

Here’s how to turn on private browsing in Microsoft Edge:

1. Launch your Edge browser and open the menu by selecting the ellipsis (…) in the upper-right corner of the window.
2. Select New InPrivate Window.

Another way to open an InPrivate browser window in Microsoft Edge is to right-click on any link and select Open Link in InPrivate Window.

Finally, if you’d like to open your Edge browser in InPrivate mode, right-click on the Edge icon in your Windows taskbar and select Open New InPrivate Window.

If you’re wondering how to turn off private browsing in Microsoft Edge, simply close any open InPrivate windows.

Microsoft Defender

Stay safer online with one easy-to-use app<sup>1

1</sup>Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription required; app available as separate download

Learn more

How can I search privately?

While private browsing can be great for erasing data, there is another way to make sure your search is private.

• Use a privacy-focused search engine that won’t keep any logs of your searches or queries. This can add an additional layer of privacy to your private browsing window.

How private is private browsing?

While InPrivate mode is incredibly useful if you’re researching a surprise gift for someone on a shared computer, it’s important to be aware of the limitations of private browsing. While it does effectively erase the data that’s stored on your computer during a browsing session, your IP address is still visible to others, like your school, employer, or government agencies, as well as your internet service provider or ISP. This means that your browsing activity can still be traced, even if it isn’t being saved in your browser’s history. To prevent this from happening, use a VPN to encrypt your data and keep it from prying eyes.

InPrivate browsing won’t protect you from cyberattacks, either. You’ll still be vulnerable to viruses, other malware, and phishing emails. While strong security software can help in these instances, it’s important to note that private browsing mode is only intended to hide your browser activity from others with access to your device; it doesn’t make Edge a truly anonymous browser.

To put these and other privacy tips to work for you, try Microsoft 365 for free.