How to disable Private Browsing in Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer

We have seen how to start Private Browsing and how it enables you to surf the web without leaving a trail. As already mentioned, Private Browsing is referred to as InPrivate Browsing in Internet Explorer, Incognito Mode in Chrome and Private Browsing in Firefox. While there is no need to disable private browsing and this is also not recommended, some folks may want to disable private browsing in their browsers. One reason could be that you want to keep a watch on what others on your computer are browsing.

Disable Private Browsing

In this post, we will see how to how to disable Private Browsing in Firefox, InPrivate Browsing in Internet Explorer, Incognito Mode in Chrome browser, on a Windows computer.

TIP: Microsoft Edge user? This post will show you how to Disable InPrivate browsing mode in Edge.

Disable InPrivate Browsing in Internet Explorer

If your version of Windows has Group Policy Editor, type gpedit in Run box and hit Enter to open it. Navigate to the following setting:

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer > Privacy.

In RHS pane, double-click Turn off InPrivate Browsing, and select Enabled. Click Apply/OK.

This policy setting allows you to turn off the InPrivate Browsing feature. InPrivate Browsing prevents Internet Explorer from storing data about a user’s browsing session. This includes cookies, temporary Internet files, history, and other data. If you enable this policy setting, InPrivate Browsing is turned off. If you disable this policy setting, InPrivate Browsing is available for use. If you do not configure this policy setting, InPrivate Browsing can be turned on or off through the registry.

Alternatively, you could type regedit in Run box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor. Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy

Create a new DWORD value and name it EnableInPrivateBrowsing. Set it to 0.

To re-enable InPrivate Browsing, change its value to 1 or delete the EnableInPrivateBrowsing key.

Disable Private Browsing in Firefox

Disable Private Browsing Plus is a free add-on for Firefox that lets you disable private Browsing in Firefox easily and quickly. It removes the  New Private Window option from the menu. It will also disable the Ctrl+Shift+P keyboard shortcut and deletion of browsing history.

To disable this plugin, you will have to start Firefox in Safe Mode, by holding down the Shift key and clicking on the Firefox icon, and then go on to disable and uninstall it. To do this, click on Menu > Add-Ons to open the Add-ons Manager. On the left side, you will see the Add-ons & Extensions section. Here you will be able to disable plugins.

You can also use the Windows Registry. Open REGEDIT and go to the following location-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Mozilla\Firefox

Right-click the Firefox key > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the value DisablePrivateBrowsing and set its value to 1. If you do not see the Firefox key, you will have to create it.

Disable Incognito Mode in Chrome

Incognito Gone is a small free tool available on Github.com that lets you disable private browsing or Incognito Mode in the Google Chrome browser.

This tool lets you disable private browsing in Chrome as well as Edge, Internet Explorer and Firefox, as well.

You can also use the Windows Registry. Open REGEDIT and go to the following location-

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome

Right-click the Chrome key > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name the value IncognitoModeAvailability and set its value to 1. If you do not see the Chrome key, you will have to create it.

As I said earlier, unless you have specific reasons for wanting to disable private browsing, it might be a good idea to let things be as they are.