In this world of technology and online activities, keeping your privacy intact is the biggest concern. Therefore users often take different measures to prevent privacy intrusions. One of the major interests in keeping your search history private. Google provides us with a facility to download & delete the search history. However, it is also mentioned that it might totally be safe or anonymous. Hence, whenever you need to search for anything you want to keep it to yourselves, we use Incognito mode. There are various other reasons to browse anonymously.
What if you could launch your favorite browser in incognito mode by default? Curious enough! Let’s know how to do it! But first, let’s know what is incognito mode and what are its benefits
What is Incognito mode In Web Browsers?
Incognito mode is a private browsing mode which keeps your browsing history information private and therefore it is stored neither on browser nor computer. Once enabled, your web browser will not store anything you do on it. So, while in incognito mode, the web browser doesn’t store browsing history, search history, web forms, cookies, temporary files, and search history.
To enable incognito mode on a temporary basis, you need to launch Google Chrome and go to hamburger icon located at the upper right corner, click New incognito window or you can also press CTRL+SHIFT+N. You will get a new private window where you can browse anonymously.
Steps To Make Incognito Mode Enabled By Default On Browsers
Google Chrome In Incognito Mode
To get Chrome Incognito by Default whenever launched, follow these steps:
- Locate Chrome shortcut on your desktop and right-click on it. From the context menu, select Properties.
Alternative Method: If you don’t find a desktop shortcut, you need to go to Chrome’s location at your computer. To locate, follow this path:
ThisPC->LocalDiskC:->ProgramFiles(x86)->Google->Chrome->Application->Chrome.exe
- Once located, right-click on Chrome.exe and from the context menu, click Create Shortcut(if want to get a shortcut on desktop).
Else select Properties from the context menu.
- Locate Target and change the path –
From “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe”
(This will open a usual browser window)
To – “C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe” -incognito
The path will open Chrome in incognito by default browsing mode. The difference between the usual browsing mode and incognito mode path is -incognito.
Now whenever you open Chrome using this shortcut, it will open a private browsing window instead of the regular Chrome window. Now, you will be able to browse anonymously every time you open Chrome.
Mozilla Firefox-Private Browsing
For Mozilla Firefox to open in private browsing mode always, then click Menu. Go to Options.
Click Privacy & Security from the left side of the panel. Under History, click Firefox will box, from the drop-down menu, choose “Never remember history”.
It will prompt to restart your Firefox.
Now whenever you will use the Firefox shortcut to launch the browser, it will open as Firefox Incognito by default. It will not look like an incognito mode but it will work the same.
Internet Explorer-InPrivate Browsing
For Internet Explorer, you need to use a command-line option to the Internet Explorer to get incognito by default.
Go to the Internet Explorer shortcut and right-click it. From the context menu, choose Properties.
Note: If IE is pinned on your taskbar, you can right-click on it Internet Explorer to get Properties window.
On the Properties window, go to Target box and at the end of the path written, give space and write -private. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Now, whenever you will use this shortcut to open Internet Explorer, you will get InPrivate Browsing mode enabled.
Conclusion
So, in this way you can get your Chrome, IE and Mozilla Firefox to run in private browsing mode or incognito mode by default whenever it is launched. Now you can easily keep your cookies and browsing data safe.
However, if you want to complete anonymity, then it is advised to use a VPN service. One of the best VPN services, Nord VPN can keep you safe from hackers, ISPs and other cybercriminals. It comes with advanced technologies to protect your internet activities from malware and hackers. It also protects you when on public Wi-Fi networks, and blocks ads as well. So, this is it! This is how you go incognito in Chrome, Firefox, and IE. Now you can browse anonymously every time you launch them.
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