The fastest way to open an incognito window

On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + N in Chrome, Edge, or Opera. On Mac, press Command + Shift + N in the same browsers. In Firefox on any system, press Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Command + Shift + P (Mac) to open a Private Window, which works the same way.

If you prefer using menus instead of keyboard shortcuts, you can also click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of your browser, then select "New incognito window" or "New private window" depending on which browser you use.

Safari on Mac and iPhone uses a different name and method — look for "Private Browsing" in the File menu on Mac, or tap the tabs icon and then "Private" on iPhone. The keyboard shortcut on Mac is Command + Shift + N, the same as Chrome.

Key Takeaways

  • Incognito and Private windows don't save your browsing history, cookies, or search history once you close them.
  • The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac) opens an incognito window in Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Safari.
  • Firefox calls it a Private Window and uses Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows) or Command + Shift + P (Mac).
  • Your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your activity in incognito mode — it only hides your activity from other people using the same device.

What incognito mode actually does

An incognito window doesn't save your browsing history, cookies, or autofill information. When you close it, everything you did in that window disappears from your browser's records. This is useful if you're shopping for a gift on a shared computer, checking something private, or just don't want your search history cluttering your browser.

Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites you visit. It only hides your activity from other people who use the same device and from your browser's own history. If you need actual privacy from your ISP or network, you would need a VPN, which is a different tool entirely.

Opening incognito in Chrome

In Chrome on Windows or Mac, use Ctrl + Shift + N or Command + Shift + N. A new window will open with a blue incognito icon in the top left corner and the text "You're incognito" displayed.

You can also right-click the Chrome icon on your taskbar (Windows) or dock (Mac) and select "New incognito window" from the menu. Or open Chrome normally, click the three-dot menu in the top right, and select "New incognito window."

Opening incognito in Firefox

Firefox calls incognito mode "Private Browsing." On Windows or Mac, press Ctrl + Shift + P or Command + Shift + P. A new window opens with a purple mask icon in the top left and the text "Private Browsing" displayed.

You can also open Firefox normally, click the three-line menu in the top right, and select "New Private Window." On Mac, you can go to the File menu and choose "New Private Window" from there.

Opening private browsing in Safari

On Mac, press Command + Shift + N or go to the File menu and select "New Private Window." A new window opens with a dark appearance and "Private" displayed in the address bar area.

On iPhone or iPad, tap the tabs icon in the bottom right corner (it looks like two overlapping squares), then tap "Private" at the bottom of the screen. Tap "Done" to confirm. All new tabs you open will be private until you switch back to regular browsing.

Opening incognito in Edge and Opera

Microsoft Edge uses the same shortcut as Chrome: Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Command + Shift + N on Mac. A new window opens with an incognito icon. You can also click the three-dot menu and select "New InPrivate window."

Opera also uses Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Command + Shift + N on Mac. Click the three-line menu in the top left and select "New private window," or use the keyboard shortcut.

What happens when you close an incognito window

Everything you did in that window is erased from your browser. Your search history, the websites you visited, any passwords you entered, and any files you downloaded are all gone. The only exception is files you actively saved to your computer — those remain on your device.

If you bookmarked something in an incognito window, the bookmark stays in your regular browser. But the fact that you visited that page is not recorded anywhere your browser tracks it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone see what I did in incognito mode?

Other people using the same device cannot see your incognito history because it doesn't get saved. However, your internet service provider, your employer's network administrator, or the websites you visit can still see your activity. Incognito only hides your activity from your browser and other device users, not from the internet itself.

Do I need to close an incognito window or can I just leave it open?

You can leave it open as long as you want. The data only gets erased when you close the window. If you want to make sure everything is deleted, close the window when you're done browsing.

Can I use extensions in incognito mode?

By default, most extensions don't run in incognito windows. You can change this in your browser settings. In Chrome, go to Settings > Extensions, find the extension, and toggle "Allow in incognito." In Firefox, go to about:addons, find the extension, and check "Run in Private Windows."

Will websites know I'm using incognito mode?

Most websites cannot tell whether you're in incognito mode. However, some sites may behave differently or restrict certain features if they detect you're not allowing cookies. This is rare and usually only happens on sites that require you to log in or track your activity.