How to Open Incognito Mode by Default in Google Chrome (Windows)

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Browsing the web in Chrome's incognito mode prevents Chrome from saving your browsing history on your computer. Though it's easy to switch to Incognito mode in Google Chrome , you may forget sometimes—thus, compromising your privacy on a shared computer. Fortunately, there's an easy way to make Google Chrome open in incognito mode by default. This wikiHow teaches you how to create a shortcut on your Windows desktop to automatically launch Chrome in incognito mode.

Things You Should Know

  • You can make Google Chrome open Incognito Mode by default by editing its settings.
  • Right-click the Google Chrome shortcut and select "Properties".
  • Add "-incognito" to the end of the "Target" field and save.

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. It won't be possible to modify the Chrome shortcut that's in your Start menu or on your taskbar, but you can create a special incognito mode shortcut for your desktop. Here's an easy way to do this: [1]
    • First, if you already have a Google Chrome icon on your desktop, you can skip this step. Otherwise, click the Start menu or press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the menu.
    • Locate the Chrome icon (it's the round red, green, yellow, and blue icon) but don't click it.
    • Drag the Chrome icon to your desktop. This places a new icon called Google Chrome onto your desktop.
      • If you can't see the desktop, press Windows key + D , return to the menu, and then drag the icon.
      • If you already had a Chrome icon on your desktop, this new shortcut will be called Google Chrome (2) .
  2. A menu will expand. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. This opens the Google Chrome Properties dialog window. [3]
  4. Look at the address you see next to "Target" –this is the full path to Google Chrome. You'll need to add -incognito after that path. Since the last character is a quotation mark ("), click the mouse after the quotation, press the spacebar, and then type -incognito . [4]
    • For example: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" -incognito
    • You can restore your previous setting by removing -incognito from the Target text box and saving it.
  5. This saves your changes. [5]
  6. It may be helpful to rename the desktop icon to something like "Chrome Incognito" so you know what it does. To do this, right-click the Chrome icon on your desktop, select Rename , type Chrome Incognito , and then press the Enter key. [6]
  7. As long as you open Chrome by double-clicking this icon, it will always open in incognito mode.
    • If you open Chrome from your Windows Start menu or in any way other than double-clicking this new icon on your desktop, Chrome will not open in incognito mode. Remember to always double-click the icon that's on your desktop to open the incognito version of Chrome.
    • You can still switch to incognito mode from a standard Chrome window by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N on the keyboard. [7]
    8. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I keep getting "path not valid" when I try to install incognito as default. Any ideas?
    Rent Uduru
    Community Answer
    This is not up to date. Just right-click Chrome and select "New Incognito Window".
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 18 Helpful 11
  • Question
    Your answer is fine for starting from an icon, but I would like to click on link in email and always have it incognito.
    EquableProgram
    Community Answer
    If the link is in a Chrome email website, then right click and choose open in new incognito window. If this is not available, make sure you have the most recent version of Chrome installed.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 21 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Install Google Chrome Using Terminal on Linux
      3 Easy Ways to Install the Google Chrome Web Browser
      Turn Off and Disable Private Browsing on Any Web Browser
      Automatically Reload a Page in Chrome: Easy Extension & Script
      3 Simple Ways to Save a Web Page as a PDF in Google Chrome
      Why Your Pinned Tabs Disappear & How to Fix It
      How to
      Turn Any Website Into an App Shortcut With Chrome
      Easy Ways to View & Manage Bookmarks in Google Chrome
      How to
      Add Google Drive to File Explorer in Windows
      How to
      Transfer Bookmarks from One Computer to Another
      How to
      Remove Suggestions on Google Chrome: 2 Easy Ways
      2 Fast Ways to Remove Bing from Chrome: PC, Mac, & Mobile
      How to
      Override the Ctrl+Shift+QQ Shortcut in Google Chrome
      4 Simple Ways to Block Adult Websites on Google Chrome
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2017/apr/default-chrome-to-incognito-mode.html
      2. ↑ https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/issues/2017/apr/default-chrome-to-incognito-mode.html
      3. ↑ https://chromestory.com/2022/12/chrome-incognito-default/
      4. ↑ https://www.guidingtech.com/directly-launch-chrome-incognito-mode/
      5. ↑ https://chromestory.com/2022/12/chrome-incognito-default/
      6. ↑ https://www.guidingtech.com/directly-launch-chrome-incognito-mode/
      7. ↑ https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95464?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. test

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 199,695 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement