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How to use InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge: browse privately, safely, without leaving traces
Learn how to use InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge to browse the web privately, without saving history and cookies on the device. It is suitable for sharing a computer with others, while understanding the limitations for security.
Have you ever had to share a computer with someone else and wanted to look up personal information, such as gifts for a special person or health-related data, but worried that others might later see your browsing history? This article from SyncTech Solution will guide you on how to use InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge, a tool that allows you to browse the web without saving data on the device. It also explains what this mode can protect you from and its limitations, so office workers and general users can use it confidently and safely.
Understand Before Fixing: How InPrivate Mode Works?
Normally, when we browse websites, the browser saves various information on our computer for convenience next time, such as:
- History: A list of all the websites we have visited
- Cookies: Small data files that websites leave behind to remember us, such as keeping us logged in or items in the shopping cart.
- Form Data: Things we have typed into various fields, such as name, address, or email
InPrivate mode (or similar features in other browsers such as Incognito or Private Browsing) works by creating a "temporary session" separate from normal use. When you open an InPrivate window, all information that occurs in that window, including history, cookies, and form data, is stored temporarily only. And when you close all InPrivate windows, that information is immediately deleted from your computer.
Important to Know: InPrivate does not make you 'invisible' on the Internet. Your activity can still be seen by:
- Internet Service Provider (ISP): such as True, AIS, 3BB can still see which websites you connect to
- Organization or school network: If you are using a work computer, the IT department can still monitor usage through the company's system.
- The websites you visit: Especially when you log into them, those websites still know it's you
Therefore, InPrivate is suitable for maintaining privacy 'on the computer', not for hiding your identity online.
Before Starting
- Update Microsoft Edge: To get the best security features and Tracking Prevention, make sure your browser is the latest version
- How to: Go to the three-dot menu (...) at the top right corner > select Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge. The browser will automatically check for and install updates.
- Prepare the required information: If you are going to log in to any website in InPrivate mode, don't forget to have your username and password ready, because the browser will not remember information saved in normal mode.
How to do it safely
Follow these steps to correctly open and use InPrivate mode
1. Opening an InPrivate Window
- WHAT: Start a private browsing session
- WHERE/HOW: There are 2 main methods
1. Click on the three-dot menu (...) at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge, then select New InPrivate window
2. Use shortcut keys: on macOS press ⌘ + Shift + N (on Windows press Ctrl + Shift + N)
- WHY: It is a command for the browser to create a temporary environment that does not save your activity to the main profile.
- EXPECTED RESULT: A new window will open, which usually has a dark theme, with a clearly visible blue "InPrivate" logo at the top right near the address bar.
2. Check and confirm that it is in the correct mode
- WHAT: Observe the symbols to ensure that you are really operating in private mode
- WHERE/HOW: Look for the blue "InPrivate" sign in the top right corner of the window, and notice that the overall toolbar is dark or black
- WHY: To prevent confusion and accidentally using the regular window when searching for information that needs to be kept confidential
- EXPECTED RESULT: You clearly see the InPrivate icon, ensuring that the browsing history in this window will not be recorded
3. (Optional) Enabling necessary extensions
- WHAT: Allows certain extensions you trust to run in InPrivate mode
- WHERE/HOW:
1. Go to the three-dot menu (...) > Extensions
2. Find the extension you want (such as Password Manager) and then click Details
3. Tick the box Allow in InPrivate
- WHY: By default, all extensions are disabled in InPrivate mode to prevent them from tracking your activity. However, sometimes we may need to use trusted extensions, such as a password manager, for convenience when logging in.
- EXPECTED RESULT: The icon of the allowed extension will appear on the toolbar in the InPrivate window and be available for use.
4. Usage and Adjusting Tracking Protection
- WHAT: Browse the web as usual and learn more about privacy settings
- WHERE/HOW: InPrivate mode usually sets 'Tracking Prevention' to the 'Strict' level automatically, which you can check in the three-dot menu (...) > Settings > Privacy, search, and services
- WHY: Stricter settings will help block trackers from various websites more effectively, reducing behavior-based advertisements. However, in some cases, it may cause some websites to malfunction. Knowing the location of this menu will help you make adjustments if necessary.
- EXPECTED RESULT: You will be able to browse the web more privately and know that if any website has issues, you may need to try lowering the tracking protection level.
5. Closing the InPrivate window to delete data
- WHAT: Completely end the private browsing session
- WHERE/HOW: Press the close (X) button on the InPrivate window. Very important: You must close all existing InPrivate windows for the data deletion process to work.
- WHY: Closing the window is a signal for the browser to delete all data from that session (history, cookies, cache data) from the computer. If there are other InPrivate windows still open, the session will not end.
- EXPECTED RESULT: The window closes, and all browsing data from that session is deleted from the device
Check Results
1. Check browsing history: Open a regular Microsoft Edge window, then press ⌘ + Y (on macOS) or Ctrl + H (on Windows) to view history. Websites you visited in InPrivate mode should not appear in the list.
2. Check login status: Go back to the website you previously logged into in InPrivate mode (such as email or social media) using a normal window. You will find that you have been logged out.
If not yet recovered
- If you still see the history: It is highly likely that you may have accidentally used a regular window. Try repeating all the steps and pay close attention to the InPrivate icon.
- If you want privacy from your ISP or IT department: As mentioned, InPrivate mode is not a suitable tool for this purpose. You may need to look into other options, such as using a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network), which will encrypt your connection from your internet service provider. However, this is another topic that requires thorough study.
- For organizational users: Always remember what your company's policy allows. Using InPrivate mode cannot hide activity from the company's network monitoring system. If unsure, you should consult your IT department.
Summary
InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge is an extremely useful tool for maintaining privacy on devices shared with others. It allows you to browse the web, search for information, or log into a second account without worrying about leaving traces on the device. Just be aware of its limitations: it only protects information on your computer and does not make you anonymous on the internet.