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 distinct methods grant access to this private browsing mode.

Method 1Using the Edge Menu

Open Microsoft Edge and click the ‘Settings and More’ icon—those three dots (…) in the top-right corner. Select ‘New InPrivate window’ from the dropdown menu.

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

Press Ctrl+Shift+N while Microsoft Edge is open to launch a new InPrivate window instantly.

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 appears immediately. The "InPrivate" label resting in the top-left corner confirms active private browsing mode, blocking saved browsing history and cookies during the session.

What Happens When You Browse InPrivate?

Microsoft Edge's InPrivate mode retains zero records of online activity from that session. Browsing history avoids saving, while temporary cookies and site data vanish automatically upon closing 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: InPrivate mode preserves downloaded files on the computer. Added favorite websites route directly to the standard favorites list.

Practical Tip: Gift shopping, private research, and shared computers thrive on this feature. Users log into a secondary account on a website without logging out of the primary account operating in a separate window.

When to Use InPrivate Mode

Public computers at libraries or friend's houses call for Microsoft Edge's InPrivate mode to maintain privacy. Website tracking and targeted advertisements based on previous browsing history also halt through this approach.

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

Wrap up private browsing sessions in Microsoft Edge by closing the InPrivate window like any standard window. Click the 'X' button located in the top-right corner of the InPrivate window. Windows users can also execute the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + W for a rapid exit.

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.

All browsing data from the InPrivate session deletes from the computer automatically. Regular browsing windows remain untouched.

Tip: Multiple open InPrivate windows close independently. Terminating all InPrivate browsing requires closing *all* InPrivate windows.

Summary

Microsoft Edge's InPrivate mode elevates privacy by omitting history and cookie storage, making shared devices and anti-tracking efforts manageable.