Unlock a More Private Web Experience with Microsoft Edge’s InPrivate Mode

How to Open Your First InPrivate Window

Opening an InPrivate window in Microsoft Edge adds a layer of privacy to web browsing. Two methods exist for users to access this private browsing mode.

Method 1Using the Edge Menu

To open a private browsing session using the Microsoft Edge menu, first open your Edge browser. Then, find the ‘Settings and More’ icon – those three dots (…) in the top-right corner of the window. Click it to open the menu, and then select ‘New InPrivate window.’

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the ‘Settings and More’ icon (three dots).
3. Select ‘New InPrivate window’.

1. Open Microsoft Edge: Start your Microsoft Edge browser.
2. Click ⚙️ the Settings and More icon: Look for the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of the Edge window. This opens the menu.
3. Select “New InPrivate window”: A menu will appear. Click on “New InPrivate window.”
4. See the InPrivate window: A new Edge window will open. It usually has a darker look and says “InPrivate” with a blue icon at the top. This shows you’re browsing privately.

1. Start your Microsoft Edge browser.
2. Then, look for the ‘Settings and More’ icon – those three dots ( ) in the top-right corner of the Edge window.
3. Click it, and a menu will appear.
4. Now, select ‘New InPrivate window.’

Method 2Using a Keyboard Shortcut

You can quickly start a private browsing session in Microsoft Edge by using a keyboard shortcut. While Microsoft Edge is open, press and hold the Ctrl key and the Shift key on your keyboard, then tap the N key. Releasing all keys at once will open a new InPrivate window.

1. Press and hold Ctrl + Shift.
2. Tap the N key.
3. Release all keys.

1. Make sure Edge is open: Have Microsoft Edge running.
2. Press Ctrl+Shift+N: On your keyboard, press and hold the Ctrl key, then the Shift key, and then tap the N key. Release all keys.

1. Open your Microsoft Edge browser.
2. Press the Ctrl+Shift+N keys on your keyboard simultaneously.

An InPrivate browsing window in Microsoft Edge will open immediately. The “InPrivate” label appearing in the top-left corner of the browser window confirms that the private browsing mode is active, preventing browsing history and cookies from being saved during this session.

What Happens When You Browse InPrivate?

When you use Microsoft Edge’s InPrivate mode, your computer won’t keep any records of your online activity from that session. This means your browsing history won’t be saved, and all temporary cookies and site data are automatically deleted as soon as you close the InPrivate window.

• Browsing history is not saved.
• Temporary cookies and site data are deleted.

• No History Saved: Websites you visit won’t be saved in your regular browsing history.
• Cookies are Temporary: When you close the InPrivate window, all cookies from that session are deleted. You won’t be automatically logged into sites the next time you open a normal window.
• Site Data Cleared: Any temporary internet files or site data saved during your InPrivate session are also deleted when you close the window.

• Your browsing history is not saved.
• Cookies and site data are deleted when you close all InPrivate windows.
• Information you enter in forms is not remembered.

Downloads and Favorites are Safe: Don’t worry, InPrivate mode doesn’t delete everything! Files you download will stay on your computer. Any favorite websites you add will be saved to your normal favorites list.

Practical Tip: This is great for shopping for gifts, researching private topics, or using a shared computer. You can even log into a second account on a website without logging out of your main account in another window.

When to Use InPrivate Mode

It’s a good idea to use Microsoft Edge’s InPrivate mode when you’re on a computer that others use, like at a library or a friend’s house, to keep your browsing private. You can also use it if you don’t want websites to track you or show you ads based on what you’ve been looking at.

1. Use on shared computers (library, friend’s house).
2. Prevent websites from tracking your activity.
3. Avoid targeted ads based on browsing.

1. Protecting Privacy on Shared Devices: If you share your computer, InPrivate mode leaves no trace of your activity. Use it for private research or surprises, then close the InPrivate window when done. Your history, cookies, and site data are automatically cleared.
2. Avoiding Targeted Ads and Tracking: Websites use cookies to track you and show you ads. If you don’t want your browsing to influence ads, use InPrivate windows. Cookies are deleted when you close the window, making it harder for advertisers to track you.
3. Testing Websites: For website creators, InPrivate mode helps see how a site looks to a new visitor. Open your website in an InPrivate window to check how it appears without any stored data interfering.
4. Logging into Multiple Accounts: Need to be logged into two accounts for the same service at once? For example, a personal and work email. Open a new InPrivate window and log into your second account there. The sessions won’t interfere with each other.

1. Shopping for gifts: Keep surprise purchases hidden.
2. Researching sensitive topics: Browse without creating a record.
3. Using a shared computer: Prevent others from seeing your activity.
4. Testing websites: See how a site behaves for a new visitor.
5. Managing multiple accounts: Log into a different account on the same site.

Closing Your InPrivate Session

To finish your private browsing session in Microsoft Edge, just close the InPrivate window like you would any other. Click the ‘X’ button located in the top-right corner of the InPrivate window. On Windows, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+W to close it quickly.

1. Click the ‘X’ button in the top-right corner.
2. Alternatively, use Ctrl+Shift+W (Windows).

1. Identify the InPrivate window: Make sure you are closing the window that says “InPrivate” at the top.
2. Close the window: Click the “X” button in the top-right corner of the InPrivate window (or use Ctrl+Shift+W on Windows).

1. Close all of your InPrivate windows.

That’s it! All browsing data from that InPrivate session is automatically deleted from your computer. Your regular browsing windows are unaffected.

Tip: If you have multiple InPrivate windows open, closing one closes that specific session. To end all InPrivate browsing, close *all* InPrivate windows.

Summary

Microsoft Edge’s InPrivate mode offers a way to boost your privacy by not saving history or cookies, perfect for shared devices or avoiding tracking.