Microsoft Edge InPrivate Mode for Private Browsing – Pro Tips
Pro tips for using Microsoft Edge InPrivate mode.
How to Use Edge Browser in Privacy Mode?
You can use Edge browser privately in multiple following ways. → Watch Video Tutorial below.
Click ‘Start’ button (Windows logo) on your computer and scroll through list of apps and right-click on the icon of Edge browser and then select New InPrivate Window.
Right-click the Microsoft Edge logo in the taskbar on bottom of screen and select New InPrivate window from the pane menu options.
While browsing a webpage, if you want to open a link, in privacy mode, right-click that link and select Open link in InPrivate window.
While on any tab in Edge browser, click three dots to open ‘Settings and more’ and then select New InPrivate window.
To Access the settings in Microsoft Edge mobile browser, click ‘three dots’ (…) on bottom of phone screen, and select New Inprivate Tab option.
What InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge Browser do?
In fact, during private browsing, Edge browser does not save or remember your browsing history and data. Browser deletes browsing history, download history, cookies and other site data, cached images and files, passwords, autofill form data, site permissions and hosted app data after you close all InPrivate windows.
Are You Really Private and Secure During InPrivate Mode?
→ Watch Video Tutorial below.
During InPrivate browsing, you ‘feel’ private and secret than you actually are. In my view, you may be at more risk of malicious attacks from the websites, you are going to open during InPrivate mode.
During InPrivate mode, browser still downloads cookies and files but what it does, it only removes those files after you close the window. Your school, workplace, or internet service provider may monitor your browsing activity. Microsoft clearly talks about the fact in following words: [RD]
“InPrivate browsing doesn’t keep you safer from malicious websites or provide additional ad blocking.”
In fact, you limit the normal helpful features of browser during privacy mode; for example, you cannot re-open the recently closed tabs or windows from history button in toolbar. Additionally, some other features such as ‘autosuggestions’, new autofill entries, collections, Find on Page feature, Jump List feature (by right-clicking on browser icon in taskbar), tabs restoration, browser sign-in, are also disabled during private session.
During Guest mode or when ‘Do Not Track’ is turned OFF during InPrivate mode, Edge browser does not send ‘Do Not Track’ requests to the websites. It means less secure browsing during InPrivate browsing. [RD]
Personally, I do not like the idea of InPrivate or incognito browsing, because you are only trying to hide yourself from trusted browser while exposing yourself to malicious sites.
How Can You Enhance Privacy during InPrivate Mode of Edge Browser?
You can guard your privacy in somewhat better way by following below measures.
Turn OFF your location in Settings
To keep private your keyboard typing data, open computer settings, then privacy & security, then turn off the toggle button under ‘inking & typing personalization’ option
You should block cookies from third-parties in settings through this navigation path: Click Three Dots for ‘Settings and More’ (or press Alt+F) → Settings → Site permissions → Manage Cookies and site data and turn on Block third-party cookies.
Select ‘Strict’ option of tracking prevention through Edge settings. Click Three Dots for ‘Settings and More’ (or press Alt+F) → Settings → Privacy, Search, and Services → Tracking prevention → select Strict. Additionally, you can turn ON the toggle button next to ‘Always use “Strict” tracking prevention when browsing InPrivate’ option on the same page.
In privacy settings, turn ON the Microsoft Defender SmartScreen.
While using device at a public place, it is a wise idea to avoid logging into sensitive accounts such as Facebook, Microsoft, or Google even in InPrivate mode. Don’t forget to sign out of your important accounts at public devices.
After implementing above measures, some websites may not open normally during InPrivate window. Therefore, I suggest you adopt above measure temporarily for InPrivate browsing. Change above settings to previous values after your private session.
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