How to Enable or Disable Incognito Mode in Google Chrome in Windows
If you don’t want Google Chrome to remember your activity, you can browse the web privately in Incognito mode. However, downloads and bookmarks will be saved.
When you browse privately, other people who use the device won't see your activity.
Chrome doesn't save your browsing history or information entered in forms. Cookies and site data are remembered while you're browsing, but deleted when you exit Incognito mode.
Incognito mode stops Chrome from saving your browsing activity.
Your activity might still be visible to:
- Websites you visit, including the ads and resources used on those sites
- Your employer, school, or whoever runs the network you’re using
- Your internet service provider
If you sign in to an account to use a web service (like Gmail) while in Incognito mode, your browsing activity might be saved on sites that recognize that account.
Chrome won’t remember the files you download while browsing in private. But, they're still saved to your Downloads folder, even after you exit Incognito. You and anyone who uses your device can see and open the files.
All bookmarks you create are saved to Chrome.
You can switch between Incognito windows and regular Chrome windows. You'll only browse in private when you're using an Incognito window.
Incognito mode runs in a separate window from your normal Chrome windows.
If you have an Incognito window open and you open another one, your private browsing session will continue in the new window. To exit Incognito mode, close all Incognito windows.
If you see a number next to the Incognito icon at the top right, you have more than one Incognito window open.
See also:
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the availability of Incognito mode in Google Chrome for all users in Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to enable or disable Incognito mode in Google Chrome.
EXAMPLE: Incognito mode in Google Chrome
Here's How:
The downloadable .reg files below will add and modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
IncognitoModeAvailability DWORD
delete or 0 = Enable (available)
1 = Disable
2 = Force
1 Do step 2 (enable), step 3 (disable), or step 5 (force) below for what you want.
This is the default setting to make Incognito mode available to all users.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Enable_Incognito_Mode_in_Google_Chrome.reg
Download
This will disable and make Incognito mode unavailable for all users.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Disable_Incognito_Mode_in_Google_Chrome.reg
Download
This will force Google Chrome to always open and use Incognito mode for all users.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.
Always_Force_Incognito_Mode_in_Google_Chrome.reg
Download
5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 If Google Chrome is currently open, then close and reopen the browser to apply.
9 If you like, you can now delete the downloaded .reg file.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Enable or Disable Extensions in Incognito Mode in Google Chrome
- How to Create Google Chrome Incognito Mode Shortcut in Windows
- How to Enable or Disable Microsoft Edge InPrivate Browsing in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Always Force Guest Mode in Google Chrome