You can disable Chrome's Incognito mode through Settings, but the method depends on whether you're managing your own device or a work computer

If you own the device, Chrome doesn't have a built-in setting to remove Incognito entirely — you can only hide it from the menu. If you're an administrator managing a work or school computer, you can actually block Incognito through a policy setting. The steps are different for each situation, and what works on a personal Mac won't work the same way on Windows, so this guide covers both.

The most common reason people want to disable Incognito is to prevent someone else from using it without a trace. If that's your goal, hiding it from the menu works for casual users, but determined ones can still open it by typing a keyboard shortcut. A stronger option is to set up a supervised user account, which gives you actual control over browsing.

Key Takeaways

  • On your own device, you can hide Incognito from the Chrome menu, but this does not prevent someone from opening it with the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Command+Shift+N (Mac).
  • If you manage a work or school computer, you can use Chrome policies to completely block Incognito mode across the entire browser.
  • A supervised user account gives you the strongest control over what a family member can do in Chrome, including blocking Incognito entirely.
  • Hiding Incognito from the menu takes 30 seconds and requires only access to Chrome Settings.

Hide Incognito from the Chrome menu on your own device

This method removes the "New Incognito window" option from the Chrome menu, but does not prevent someone from opening Incognito using the keyboard shortcut. It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Step 1: Open Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner. Select Settings.

Step 2: In the left sidebar, click Appearance.

Step 3: Scroll down until you see the toggle for Show Incognito option. Click it to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray, and the option will disappear from your Chrome menu immediately.

If you need to turn it back on later, follow the same steps and click the toggle again. This setting only affects the device you're using right now — it won't change Incognito on any other computer or phone.

Block Incognito completely using Chrome policies (work and school computers)

If you're an administrator managing a work or school computer, you can use Chrome's policy system to block Incognito mode entirely. This prevents anyone from opening it, even with the keyboard shortcut. The process is different on Windows and Mac.

On Windows: You need access to Group Policy Editor. Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Google > Google Chrome. Find the policy called Incognito mode availability and set it to Disabled. This blocks Incognito across the entire device.

On Mac: You'll need to create or edit a preferences file. This requires terminal access and is more technical than the Windows method. If you're not comfortable with terminal commands, contact your IT department — they can set this up for you in minutes.

These policy changes take effect the next time Chrome restarts. If someone tries to open Incognito after the policy is applied, they'll see a message saying the feature is disabled by their administrator.

Set up a supervised user account to control browsing

If you want to monitor and control what someone else does in Chrome — including blocking Incognito — create a supervised user account. This is the strongest option for parents managing a child's device or guardians overseeing someone's access.

Step 1: Open Chrome and click the profile icon in the top right corner (it looks like a circle with your initial or photo). Select Manage people.

Step 2: Click Add person. Enter a name for the account and choose an icon.

Step 3: Check the box that says Supervise this user. This creates a supervised account linked to your Google account.

Step 4: Once the account is created, sign in to it. Then go back to your own account, click the profile icon, and select Manage people again. Click the supervised account and choose Parental controls.

Step 5: Under Browsing settings, toggle off Allow Incognito mode. Save your changes.

The supervised user can now only use Chrome in regular (non-Incognito) mode. All their browsing history will be visible to you when you check their activity in your Google Family Link settings. They cannot turn this setting back on themselves.

Why someone might open Incognito even if you hide it

Hiding Incognito from the menu is easy to bypass. On Windows, pressing Ctrl+Shift+N opens a new Incognito window instantly. On Mac, it's Command+Shift+N. Anyone who knows this shortcut can use Incognito regardless of whether it appears in the menu.

If you're trying to prevent a child or family member from using Incognito, the supervised user account is much more effective because it actually blocks the feature rather than just hiding it. If you're trying to prevent yourself from using Incognito (for focus or accountability), hiding it from the menu works because you're less likely to remember the keyboard shortcut in a moment of distraction.

What Incognito mode actually does and doesn't do

Incognito mode doesn't make you anonymous online. Your internet service provider, your employer (if you're on a work network), and the websites you visit can still see your activity. Incognito only prevents Chrome from storing your browsing history, cookies, and cached files on your device.

This is why some people want to disable it — they want a record of what was browsed. If that's your goal, disabling Incognito won't give you complete visibility. Your router or network administrator can see all traffic regardless of whether Incognito is on or off. If you need to monitor someone's activity, a supervised account combined with network monitoring is more effective than disabling Incognito alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable Incognito on just one user account in Chrome?

Yes, but only through a supervised account. Regular Chrome profiles don't have individual settings for Incognito — the "Show Incognito option" setting in Appearance affects the entire browser. If you create a supervised user account, you can block Incognito for that account while leaving it available on other profiles.

What if I forgot the keyboard shortcut to open Incognito?

On Windows, it's Ctrl+Shift+N. On Mac, it's Command+Shift+N. On Linux, it's also Ctrl+Shift+N. If you've hidden Incognito from the menu and want to prevent people from using the shortcut, a supervised account is your only option.

Does disabling Incognito stop someone from deleting their browsing history?

No. Even with Incognito disabled, someone can still manually clear their browsing history in Chrome Settings under Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. If you need to prevent history deletion, you'll need network-level monitoring or a supervised account with stricter controls.

Will hiding Incognito affect my own browsing?

Only the menu option disappears. You can still open Incognito with the keyboard shortcut. If you want to completely block yourself from using Incognito, you'd need to use a supervised account or a policy setting, which requires more setup.

Can I disable Incognito on my phone?

Chrome on Android and iPhone doesn't have a built-in setting to disable Incognito. On Android, you can use parental control apps or device administrator settings. On iPhone, you can use Screen Time restrictions. These methods are less direct than Chrome's desktop options.