How to Enable or Disable InPrivate Browsing in Edge
InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge lets you browse without saving history, cookies, or site data.
You can control InPrivate Browsing by changing settings in the Windows Registry, a powerful tool for managing Windows settings.
This guide shows you how to make registry changes to either permanently disable InPrivate mode or force all Edge windows to start in it.
Microsoft Edge, built on the Chromium engine, is the default browser on Windows 11.
Disabling InPrivate Browsing might be useful on a computer shared by family, ensuring all browsing activity gets saved.
Modify the Windows Registry by navigating to Computer\🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge. Create or edit the InPrivateModeAvailability DWORD value, setting it to 1 to disable or 2 to force InPrivate mode. Restart your computer for the changes to apply.
How to Enable or Disable InPrivate Browsing
Control over whether InPrivate browsing is available in Microsoft Edge can be achieved by making a change in the Windows Registry Editor. This process requires administrator rights on your computer. You’ll be looking for a specific setting that lets you decide if users can open InPrivate windows or if that option is turned off.
- Open the Windows Registry editor as an administrator.
- Go to the following location in the registry:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge
- Find InPrivateModeAvailability on the right side and double-click it.
- Type
1to turn off InPrivate browsing completely. - Type
2to force the browser to always open in InPrivate mode.
If you don’t see ‘InPrivateModeAvailability,’ right-click in an empty space on the right pane, choose ‘New,’ then ‘DWORD (32-bit) Value,’ and name the new entry ‘InPrivateModeAvailability.’ Then, set the Value data to 1 or 2 depending on your preference.
To revert to the normal default settings, delete the ‘InPrivateModeAvailability’ item you created. A restart of your computer may be needed for these changes to take effect.
Summary
InPrivate Browsing is a fantastic tool for privacy. By tweaking the Windows Registry, you can enable, disable, or force this feature to match your needs. Remember, these steps require administrator access, and a quick system restart will finalize the process.
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Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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