Private Browser Windows

Using a private window helps you keep different accounts separate. For example, if you have a netid@uvm.edu account and a medid@med.uvm.edu account, you can sign into one account in your normal browser window and then open a private window to sign into the other account. This stops the accounts from getting mixed up. When you close the private window, it forgets your login information, so you don’t need to worry about leftovers from the other account.

Below are brief, step-by-step instructions for opening a private window (sometimes called Incognito or InPrivate) in four popular browsers.

Firefox (Private Window)

1. Via Menu: Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines in the top-right corner), then select New Private Window.
2. Keyboard Shortcut (Windows/Linux): Press Ctrl + Shift + P.
   Keyboard Shortcut (Mac): Press Command + Shift + P.
3. A Private Browsing window will open, indicated by a purple mask icon.

Google Chrome (Incognito Window)

1. Via Menu: Click the menu icon (three vertical dots in the top-right corner), then select New Incognito Window.
2. Keyboard Shortcut (Windows/Linux): Press Ctrl + Shift + N.
   Keyboard Shortcut (Mac): Press Command + Shift + N.
3. An Incognito window will open, indicated by a dark background and the Incognito icon.

Microsoft Edge (InPrivate Window)

1. Via Menu: Click the menu icon (three horizontal dots in the top-right corner), then select New InPrivate window.
2. Keyboard Shortcut (Windows/Linux): Press Ctrl + Shift + N.
   (On some versions of Edge, it may be Ctrl + Shift + P.)
3. An InPrivate window will open, indicated by a blue “InPrivate” label.

Safari (Private Window)

1. Via Menu: Click File in the top menu bar, then select New Private Window.
2. Keyboard Shortcut (Mac): Press Command + Shift + N.
3. A Private Browsing window will open, indicated by a dark Smart Search field and a “Private Browsing Enabled” message.

Closing the Private Window

When you’re done, just close the private window. Your browsing history and most cookies from that session are not saved once the window is closed.