Guest mode lets you browse without saving your history, cookies, or login information
Chrome's Guest mode opens a temporary browsing window that doesn't store anything you do in it. When you close the guest window, Chrome forgets every site you visited, every password you entered, and every file you downloaded. This is useful when you're using someone else's computer, borrowing a work laptop, or want to test how a website looks when you're not logged in.
Guest mode is different from an incognito window. Both hide your activity from other users on the same computer, but guest mode is more isolated — it doesn't even connect to your Chrome profile or sync any data. Incognito windows still use your Chrome settings and extensions.
Key Takeaways
- Guest mode opens a completely separate Chrome window that saves nothing to the computer.
- You can open guest mode from the Chrome menu or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+M on Windows or Command+Shift+M on Mac.
- Guest mode doesn't use your Chrome profile, so you won't see your bookmarks, passwords, or extensions unless you turn them on in guest settings.
- When you close a guest window, everything you did in it — history, cookies, downloads — disappears permanently.
- You can have multiple guest windows open at the same time, and each one is completely separate from the others.
Opening a guest window from the Chrome menu
The simplest way to start guest mode is through Chrome's main menu. Click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of any Chrome window. This opens a dropdown menu with options for your browser.
Look for the option that says "Open guest window" or "New guest window" — the exact wording depends on your Chrome version. Click it, and a new window opens with "Guest" displayed in the top left corner. This new window is completely separate from your regular Chrome window and won't interact with it.
If you don't see a guest window option in the menu, your computer's administrator may have turned off guest mode. This sometimes happens on work computers or school devices. In that case, you'll need to use incognito mode instead, or ask your administrator to enable guest browsing.
Using the keyboard shortcut
If you use guest mode often, the keyboard shortcut is faster than clicking through the menu. On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+M. On Mac, press Command+Shift+M. A new guest window opens immediately.
This shortcut works the same way as clicking the menu option — it creates a fresh, isolated window with no connection to your Chrome profile. You can press the shortcut multiple times to open several guest windows at once, and each one stays completely separate.
What you can and cannot do in guest mode
In a guest window, you can visit any website, watch videos, read articles, and use web apps just like normal. You can log into accounts if you need to — for example, you might open a guest window to check your email on someone else's computer. The difference is that when you close the window, Chrome forgets that you logged in.
Guest mode doesn't load your Chrome extensions by default, so ad blockers, password managers, and other tools won't be active. If you need an extension in guest mode, you can turn it on in your Chrome settings. Go to the three-dot menu, select "Settings," then "Extensions," and toggle on any extension you want to use in guest windows.
You also won't see your bookmarks or browsing history in guest mode, because it doesn't connect to your Chrome profile. If you need to access a bookmark, you can type the web address directly or search for the site.
Closing a guest window and what happens to your data
Close a guest window the same way you close any browser window — click the X button in the top right corner, or press Alt+F4 on Windows or Command+Q on Mac. When the window closes, Chrome immediately deletes everything from that session.
This includes your browsing history, cookies, cached files, downloads, and any passwords you entered. If you downloaded a file in guest mode, the file itself stays on the computer, but Chrome removes the record that you downloaded it. If you logged into an account, that login is forgotten — the next time someone opens a guest window, they won't see that you were logged in.
This permanent deletion happens automatically. You don't need to clear your history or take any extra steps. As soon as the guest window closes, it's gone.
Guest mode versus incognito mode
Both guest mode and incognito mode hide your activity, but they work differently. Incognito mode is a private browsing window within your Chrome profile. It doesn't save history or cookies, but it still uses your bookmarks, extensions, and settings. When you close an incognito window, that session is deleted, but your profile remains unchanged.
Guest mode is more complete isolation. It doesn't connect to your profile at all, so it doesn't load your bookmarks, extensions, or settings. It's the better choice when you want to make sure nothing about your browsing is visible to other users on the computer.
If you're on your own computer and just want to browse privately, incognito mode is usually enough. If you're on someone else's computer or a shared device, guest mode is safer because it leaves no trace of your profile.
Troubleshooting guest mode problems
If you can't find the "Open guest window" option in your Chrome menu, guest mode may be disabled on your device. This is common on work computers, school computers, and managed devices. Your computer's administrator controls this setting, and you'll need to ask them to turn it back on.
If guest mode is turned on but a guest window won't open, try restarting Chrome completely. Close all Chrome windows, wait a few seconds, and open Chrome again. Then try the keyboard shortcut or menu option. If it still doesn't work, restart your computer.
If you're having trouble with extensions or websites in guest mode, remember that extensions are turned off by default. Go to Settings > Extensions and toggle on any extension you need. Some websites may also behave differently in guest mode because they can't access your saved login information or preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone see what I did in guest mode if I use their computer?
No. When you close the guest window, Chrome deletes your history, cookies, and login information. The only thing that remains is any files you downloaded, which stay on the computer's hard drive. If you downloaded something, delete it before you close the guest window if you don't want the owner to see it.
Will my passwords be saved if I log into an account in guest mode?
No. Guest mode doesn't save passwords. If you log into your email or bank account in a guest window, Chrome won't offer to save the password, and it won't remember it the next time. When you close the guest window, you're logged out.
Can I use guest mode on my own computer?
Yes. Some people use guest mode to test how websites look when they're not logged in, or to keep their browsing separate for different projects. It's a useful way to compartmentalize your browsing without affecting your main Chrome profile.
What's the difference between guest mode and a separate user account on my computer?
A separate user account on your computer is a different login for the whole system. Guest mode is just a separate Chrome window. Guest mode is faster if you only need temporary isolation for browsing, but a separate user account gives you more complete separation of everything on the computer.
If I open multiple guest windows, can they see each other's data?
No. Each guest window is completely isolated. If you open two guest windows and log into different email accounts in each one, they won't interfere with each other. When you close one guest window, the other one is unaffected.