Disable Incognito Window: A Comprehensive Guide

In this post, we’ll guide you through the simple steps to disable incognito Window on your Windows device. Additionally, we’ll cover popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Microsoft Edge.

First, here is a quick step guide to disable incognito Window in Windows 10 and Windows 11:  

For Microsoft Edge:

• Open Group Policy Editor by running gpedit.msc, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Edge, and set “Allow InPrivate Browsing” to “Disabled.”

For Google Chrome:

• Open Registry Editor by running regedit, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome, create a DWORD named “IncognitoModeAvailability,” and set the value to 1.

Continue reading the full blog, as this is just an overview of the steps. Furthermore, in the blog, we provide more methods for various browsers, along with detailed step-by-step instructions to disable the incognito window on Windows devices.   

Why Disable Incognito Window/Mode ?

First and foremost, Incognito mode, also known as private browsing, is a feature in web browsers that prevents browsing history from being stored.

It can be useful for various reasons, like ensuring privacy while using a public computer. However, there are scenarios where disabling Incognito mode is desirable, such as:

• Parental Controls: Firstly, parents might want to monitor their children’s browsing activities to ensure safe internet usage.

• Work Environments: Secondly, employers might want to prevent employees from accessing certain sites privately during work hours.

• Personal Preferences: In last, some users might prefer a single, consistent browsing history for easier tracking and managing of visited sites.  

Also Check: How to recover from Ending the Task in Windows 10 and Windows 11 ?

Disabling Incognito Mode in Different Browsers

Now, let’s explore the methods to disable Incognito window in the most commonly used browsers on Windows: Specifically, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera.

Disabling Incognito Mode in Google Chrome

To start with, Google Chrome is one of the most popular browsers out there. Disabling its Incognito mode can be done through the Windows Registry Editor or using Group Policy Editor for professional versions of Windows.

Method 1: Using Windows Registry Editor

Open Registry Editor:

• Firstly, press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.

• Secondly, type regedit and press Enter.

Navigate to Policies:

• Then, in the Registry Editor, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome

• Additionally, if the Chrome key does not exist, you’ll need to create it.

Create a New DWORD:

• Subsequently, right-click on the Chrome key, select New, and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.

• Next, name this new DWORD IncognitoModeAvailability.

Modify the DWORD:

• After that, double-click on IncognitoModeAvailability.

• Then, set the value data to 1 and click OK.

Restart Chrome:

• Finally, close and reopen Chrome. The Incognito mode should now be disabled.

Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor (For Windows Pro and Enterprise)

Open Group Policy Editor:

• Initially, press Windows Key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

Navigate to Chrome Policies:

• Subsequently, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Google > Google Chrome.

Edit Incognito Mode Policy:

• Next, find and double-click on the policy named Incognito mode availability.

• Then, set the policy to Enabled and then select Incognito mode disabled from the drop-down menu.

Apply and Close:

• Afterwards, click Apply, then OK, and close the Group Policy Editor.

Restart Chrome:

• Finally, restart Chrome for the changes to take effect.

Disabling Private Browsing in Mozilla Firefox

Notably, Mozilla Firefox uses a different method to handle private browsing. Specifically, disabling it involves editing the preferences in the Firefox configuration.

Method: Using Firefox Configuration

Open Firefox:

• First, launch Mozilla Firefox.

Access Configuration Settings:

• Then, type about:config in the address bar and press Enter.

• Next, click Accept the Risk and Continue to proceed.

Modify Browser Settings:

• Subsequently, in the search bar, type browser.privatebrowsing.autostart.

• Then, double-click on the entry to set its value to false.

Restart Firefox:

• Finally, close and reopen Firefox. Private browsing should now be disabled.

Disabling InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge

To begin with, Microsoft Edge, the default browser in Windows 10 and Windows 11, uses InPrivate browsing.

Specifically, disabling it can be done through the Windows Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.

Method 1: Using Windows Registry Editor

Open Registry Editor:

• First, press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

Navigate to Policies:

• Next, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

• Additionally, if the Edge key does not exist, create it.

Create a New DWORD:

• Subsequently, right-click on the Edge key, select New, and then DWORD (32-bit) Value.

• Then, name this new DWORD InPrivateModeAvailability.

Modify the DWORD:

• After that, double-click on InPrivateModeAvailability.

• Next, set the value data to 1 and click OK.

Restart Edge:

• Finally, close and reopen Edge. InPrivate mode should now be disabled.

Method 2: Using Group Policy Editor (For Windows Pro and Enterprise)

Open Group Policy Editor:

• Firstly, press Windows Key + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

Navigate to Edge Policies:

• Secondly, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Edge.

Edit InPrivate Mode Policy:

• Next, find and double-click on the policy named Allow InPrivate browsing.

• Then, set the policy to Disabled.

Apply and Close:

• Afterwards, click Apply, then OK, and close the Group Policy Editor.

Restart Edge:

• Finally, restart Edge for the changes to take effect.

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Disabling Private Mode in Opera

To begin with, Opera, another popular browser, also supports private browsing. Specifically, disabling it involves creating a preference file in the Opera installation directory.

Method: Modifying Opera Preferences

Navigate to Opera Directory:

• First, open File Explorer and go to: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Opera Software\Opera Stable

Create Preferences File:

• Next, if it doesn’t exist, create a file named Preferences.

Edit Preferences File:

• Afterwards, open the Preferences file in a text editor like Notepad.

Add the following JSON configuration:

Save and Close:

• Next, save the file and close the text editor.

Restart Opera:

• Finally, close and reopen Opera. Private browsing should now be disabled.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Nevertheless, even with these methods, you might encounter some issues. Therefore, here are some common problems and how to troubleshoot them.

Issue 1: Registry Editor Access Denied

Solution:

• Run as Administrator: Initially, ensure you run the Registry Editor as an administrator by right-clicking on regedit and selecting Run as administrator.

• Permissions: Additionally, check if your user account has the necessary permissions to make changes to the registry.

Issue 2: Group Policy Editor Not Available

Solution:

• Windows Version: Specifically, group Policy Editor is only available on Windows Pro and Enterprise editions. Consequently, if you’re using Windows Home, consider upgrading or using the Registry Editor method instead.

Issue 3: Changes Not Taking Effect

Solution:

• Restart Browser: First, ensure you restart the browser after making changes.

• Double-Check Settings: Additionally, verify that the changes were applied correctly in the Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.

Also Check: How to disable Sticky Keys ?

Conclusion

In conclusion, disabling incognito mode or private browsing mode on your Windows device is a simple process, although specifically the exact steps vary by browser.

Furthermore, whether you’re a parent looking to monitor your children’s online activities, an employer managing workplace browsing, or just someone who prefers consolidated browsing history, you now have the tools to disable the incognito window and achieve this

Most importantly, remember to always run these changes as an administrator and restart your browser after making changes.

Finally, if you run into any issues, head back to our troubleshooting section for quick solutions.

Additionally, while these methods work effectively for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera, keep in mind that browser updates can sometimes change these procedures.

Source: [ google.supoort, lifewire, howtogeek, techlockdown, androidpolice ]

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