Opening a Private Browsing Window

This document explains where to find instructions on how to open a private / incognito window in your web browser or device.

Click on the name of the web browser you are using to display the instructions.

Microsoft Windows

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click the Options menu (the three bars stacked vertically).

    Options menu button

  2. Click New Private Window.

    Options menu

  3. This is what a private window in Firefox looks like.

    New private window

Google Chrome

  1. Click the Options menu (the three circles stacked vertically).

    Options menu button

  2. Click New Incognito Window.

    Options menu

  3. This is what an Incognito / Private window in Chrome looks like.

    New private window

Windows Internet Explorer 11

  1. Click the Settings menu (the gear icon).

    Settings menu button

  2. Hover over the Safety submenu, and click InPrivate Browsing.

    Settings menu and safety submenu

  3. This is what an InPrivate / Private window in Internet Explorer looks like.

    Private browsing window

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the Options menu (three circles aligned horizontally).

    Options menu button

  2. Click New InPrivate window.

    Options menu

  3. This is what an InPrivate / Private window in Edge looks like.

    New private browsing window

Apple macOS

Mozilla Firefox

  1. In the Menu bar, select File, and then select New Private Window.

    Menu file dropdown

  2. This is what a Private Window in Firefox looks like.

    New private window

Google Chrome

  1. In the Menu bar, select File, and then select New Incognito Window.

    Menu File dropdown

  2. This is what an Incognito / Private window in Chrome looks like.

    New private browsing window

Apple Safari

  1. In the Menu bar, select File, then select New Private Window.

    Menu bar File dropdown

  2. This is what a Private window in Safari looks like.

    New private window

Apple iOS

Safari

iPhone
  1. Click the Tabs icon in the bottom right corner of the browser.
  2. At the bottom center, click either “[#] Tabs” or “Start Page.” This will open the tab/group tab menu.
    • Note: the [#] will appear as the total amount of non-private tabs your browser currently has open; it will not have brackets.
  3. In the tab menu, click Private.

    Private menu

4. Click the + sign at the bottom left corner. This will open a new incognito window.



iPad
  1. Click and hold the Tabs icon in the top right corner of the browser.
  2. Click New Private Tab. This will open a new incognito window.

    Tabs options

Google Chrome

iPhone/iPad

  1. Click the More option .
  2. In the menu, click New Incognito Tab .

Android

Google Chrome

1. Click the More option  at the top right corner.

    More option button

2. In the menu, click New Incognito Tab.



Keywords:
incognito cache cookies anonymous chrome firefox ie ie11 internet explorer chrome mozilla google apple safari edge microsoft browser ios iphone android mobile phone macos mac 
Doc ID:
84504
Owned by:
Help Desk KB Team in DoIT Help Desk
Created:
2018-08-03
Updated:
2026-07-14
Sites:
DoIT Help Desk, Fox Valley Technical College, Learn@UW