How to Launch a Browser in Private or Incognito Mode by Default

Updated: 11/16/2019 by Computer Hope

Many people value their privacy while browsing the Internet. Luckily, all of the popular Internet browsers provide their users the ability to not store any of the history or information they enter as they surf the Internet. The private browsing feature may be turned on at any time, but to have your browser launch in incognito mode by default, select your browser from the list below and follow the instructions.

Launching Chrome in incognito mode

1. Open the Chrome browser.
2. Right-click the Chrome icon and select Properties from the drop-down menu that appears.

3. In the Chrome Properties window, click the Shortcut tab.
4. On the Shortcut tab, in the Target text field, type -incognito at the end (A), then click Apply (B), and then OK (C).

5. From now on, when you use that shortcut to open Chrome, it opens in incognito mode.

Launching Microsoft Edge in InPrivate mode

Unfortunately, as of v1809, Microsoft Edge no longer has the option to open in InPrivate mode by default. To get Edge into InPrivate mode, follow the steps below.

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.
2. Click in the upper-right corner of the browser window.
3. Select New InPrivate window from the drop-down menu that appears.

Launching Firefox in a private window

1. Open the Firefox browser.
2. Right-click the icon and select Properties from the drop-down menu that appears.

3. In the Firefox Properties window, click the Shortcut tab.
4. On the Shortcut tab, in the Target text field, type -private-window at the end (A), then click Apply (B), and then OK (C).

5. From now on, when you use that shortcut to open Firefox, it opens a private browsing window.

Launching Opera in incognito mode

1. Open the Opera browser.
2. Right-click the icon and select Properties from the drop-down menu that appears.

3. In the Opera Properties window, click the Shortcut tab.
4. On the Shortcut tab, in the Target text field, type –private at the end (A), then click Apply (B), and then OK (C).

5. From now on, when you use that shortcut to open Opera, it will be open in incognito mode.

Launching Safari in private mode

1. Select Safari from the dock.
2. In the upper-left corner of the screen, next to the Apple icon, click Safari.
3. Select Preferences from the drop-down menu that appears.

4. Under the General tab (A), in the Safari opens with section, click the arrow (B) and select A new private window.

5. Safari will now open in a private window by default.