Open a new incognito window in three ways

Incognito mode in Chrome prevents your browser from storing your search history, cookies, and site data on your device. When you close an incognito window, Chrome deletes everything from that session. This is useful if you share a computer, use a public device, or want a browsing session that leaves no local record.

You can open an incognito window using a keyboard shortcut, a menu option, or by right-clicking a link. The fastest method depends on what you are doing right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+Shift+N on Windows or Linux, or Cmd+Shift+N on Mac, to open a new incognito window instantly.
  • Incognito mode does not hide your activity from your internet service provider, your employer's network, or the websites you visit — it only stops Chrome from saving data locally.
  • You can have regular and incognito windows open at the same time, and they do not share cookies or history.
  • Closing an incognito window deletes all browsing data from that session, but files you download are saved to your computer.

Use the keyboard shortcut (fastest method)

The quickest way to open incognito mode is the keyboard shortcut. On Windows or Linux, press Ctrl+Shift+N. On Mac, press Cmd+Shift+N. A new incognito window opens immediately.

You will see "You are in Incognito mode" at the top left of the window, along with an incognito icon (a hat and sunglasses). This confirms the window is in incognito mode. Any tabs you open in this window will not be saved to your history.

Open incognito from the Chrome menu

If you prefer using the menu, click the three vertical dots in the top right corner of Chrome. Select New incognito window from the dropdown. A new incognito window opens with the same confirmation message at the top.

This method takes slightly longer than the keyboard shortcut, but it is useful if you forget the shortcut or are not comfortable with keyboard commands.

Right-click a link to open it in incognito

You can also open a specific link in an incognito window without opening a new window first. Right-click any link on a webpage and select Open link in new incognito window. Chrome opens that link in a fresh incognito window.

This is helpful when you want to visit a single site privately without opening a separate window for general browsing. The link loads directly in incognito mode.

What incognito mode does and does not do

Incognito mode stops Chrome from saving your browsing history, search queries, cookies, and temporary files on your device. When you close the incognito window, all of that data is deleted. If you share a computer, the next person who uses it will not see where you browsed.

However, incognito mode has important limits. It does not hide your activity from your internet service provider (ISP), your employer or school network, or the websites you visit. Those parties can still see what you are doing. Incognito mode also does not block ads, trackers, or malware — it only stops local storage. If you need stronger privacy, consider using a VPN or a privacy-focused browser.

Files you download in incognito mode are saved to your computer normally and are not deleted when you close the window. Only the record that you downloaded them is removed from Chrome's history.

Switch between regular and incognito windows

You can have regular Chrome windows and incognito windows open at the same time. They do not share cookies, passwords, or history. If you log into a website in a regular window, you will be logged out in an incognito window, even if you visit the same site.

Click the Chrome window in your taskbar or use Alt+Tab (Windows) or Cmd+Tab (Mac) to switch between them. Each window operates independently, so your incognito browsing does not affect your regular browsing data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does incognito mode hide my IP address?

No. Incognito mode only stops Chrome from saving local browsing data. Your internet service provider and the websites you visit can still see your IP address and know what you are doing. If you need to hide your IP address, you need a VPN (virtual private network), which is a separate tool.

Can my employer see what I do in incognito mode?

Yes, if you are on a work network or using a work device. Incognito mode does not hide your activity from network administrators or monitoring software. It only stops Chrome from saving data on your device. Check your employer's policies before using incognito on work equipment.

Are downloads deleted when I close an incognito window?

No. Files you download in incognito mode are saved to your computer permanently. Only the download history in Chrome is deleted. The actual files remain in your Downloads folder or wherever you saved them.

Can websites tell I am in incognito mode?

Most websites cannot tell whether you are in incognito mode, but some may detect it. Websites cannot access your browsing history or local Chrome data, so they have no way to know for certain. However, some sites use technical methods to guess that you are in incognito mode.

What happens to my passwords in incognito mode?

Passwords you save in Chrome are available in incognito windows. If you have saved a password for a website, Chrome will offer to fill it in when you visit that site in incognito mode. The password itself is not deleted when you close the window — only your browsing history is.