InPrivate browsing in Microsoft Edge is easy to miss because Edge puts it in different places on desktop, mobile, links, and the Windows taskbar. The fastest fix is to use the desktop menu or keyboard shortcut, then move to mobile tabs, link menus, extensions, and managed-device settings when those apply. Use the steps below in order for the way you are opening Edge.
Open an InPrivate window from Edge
This fixes the basic need to start InPrivate browsing from the normal Microsoft Edge desktop menu.
Open Microsoft Edge.
Select Settings and more, the three-dot menu in the top corner.
Choose New InPrivate window.
Use the new InPrivate window for the site or search you want to keep separate from your regular Edge session.
Use the keyboard shortcut
Keyboard shortcuts are the fastest way to open InPrivate once Edge is already in front of you. On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + N in Microsoft Edge. On macOS, press Command + Shift + N.
Do not use Ctrl + Shift + P as the current Edge InPrivate shortcut. Microsoft documents Ctrl + Shift + N for InPrivate in current Microsoft Edge, while Ctrl + Shift + P is documented for printing with the system dialog.
If the shortcut fails, open InPrivate from Settings and more and New InPrivate window.
Start InPrivate on Android or iPhone
On Microsoft Edge mobile, use either the main menu or the tab switcher.
- 1.Open Microsoft Edge on your Android phone, iPhone, or iPad.
- 2.Tap More menu, the three-dot menu, then choose New InPrivate tab.
- 3.To use the tab switcher instead, tap the Tabs icon.
- 4.Tap InPrivate, then tap the Add icon to open a new InPrivate tab.
Restore InPrivate when it is missing
The most common cause is a work or school policy that controls whether InPrivate is allowed.
On a personal computer, use current Microsoft Edge. If Edge is not installed or needs updating, go to Microsoft’s official Edge download page, choose the correct platform download, install or update Edge, then try Settings and more and New InPrivate window again.
On a work or school device, your organization can allow InPrivate, disable it, force all browsing into InPrivate, or make selected sites open in or outside InPrivate. Ask your IT administrator which Microsoft Edge InPrivate policy applies.
Open one link privately
This fixes the case where only one link needs InPrivate without moving the whole browsing session.
Find the link you want to open in Microsoft Edge.
Right-click the link.
Select Open link in InPrivate window.
Continue in the InPrivate window that opens while your existing regular window stays separate.
Launch InPrivate from the Windows taskbar
Find the Microsoft Edge logo on the Windows taskbar.
Right-click the Microsoft Edge logo.
Select New InPrivate window.
Browse in the new window that opens.
Use this when Edge is pinned to your taskbar and you want InPrivate without opening a regular window first.
Let an extension work in InPrivate
Extensions are disabled in InPrivate by default unless you explicitly allow them. Open Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more, then go to Extensions.
Choose Manage extensions, open the extension’s Details page, and turn on Allow in InPrivate. Repeat the change only for extensions you need in private windows.
If an extension still does not appear in InPrivate after you allow it, close the InPrivate window and open a fresh one from Settings and more and New InPrivate window.
Create an InPrivate shortcut
This method applies when you want a Windows desktop shortcut that opens Microsoft Edge directly in InPrivate mode each time. It uses the shortcut target documented by Microsoft for Edge.
Create a Microsoft Edge desktop shortcut.
Right-click the shortcut and choose Properties.
Open the Shortcut tab.
In the Target field, add a space followed by inprivate, as Microsoft’s Edge Learning Center documents. If the shortcut opens a search instead of an InPrivate window, replace that final word with --inprivate, the standard Microsoft Edge command-line switch form.
Select OK.
Use that shortcut when you want Edge to open in InPrivate mode.
Run InPrivate from a command
Use a command when you want to launch Microsoft Edge InPrivate from a terminal, script, or the Windows Run box.
- 1.Open your command line or Run box.
- 2.Enter msedge.exe --inprivate.
- 3.Press Enter to open Microsoft Edge in InPrivate mode.
- 4.Add a website address after the command to open a page directly, such as msedge.exe --inprivate https://www.contoso.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current InPrivate keyboard shortcut in Microsoft Edge?
Use Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Linux, and Command + Shift + N on macOS.
Why does an extension disappear in InPrivate?
Microsoft Edge disables extensions in InPrivate by default. To use one, open Extensions, go to Manage extensions, open the extension’s Details page, and enable Allow in InPrivate.
Can my workplace turn off InPrivate Browsing?
Yes. On managed devices, an organization can allow, disable, or force InPrivate mode, and can also control whether specific sites open in or outside InPrivate.