How to Go Incognito on Chromebook?

Jack

By Jack

Update on

How to Go Incognito on Chromebook

Curious about what is Incognito mode and how to go Incognito on Chromebook? Our guide has got you covered.

Sometimes we want to surf the internet securely without leaving any footprints. Perhaps we are using a public PC or a device that isn’t ours, or perhaps it is one of those times when we ask Google an embarrassing question and simply don’t want the same search popping up on our browsing history.

It also could be that we are trying to surprise someone and don’t want them to get any clues about what we are looking for on the internet regarding the same, given we share the same device or account.

Whatever the reason, it is undeniable that everyone needs to browse securely at times without having to worry about the trail of browsing history they are leaving behind.

That is why, in this article, we will be discussing how to go Incognito on Chromebook. Keep reading to find out more!

What is Incognito Mode on a Chromebook?

What is Incognito Mode on a Chromebook

Before we dive right into how to go Incognito on Chromebook, let’s familiarize ourselves with what it entails. Incognito browser is an in-built feature that comes with Chromebook, much like you see with all browsers.

But what does it mean? Essentially, going Incognito is almost akin to putting on a cloak making yourself partially invisible from websites where you don’t want your internet activity recorded.

Incognito is a separate window you can access anytime, just like your regular windows. Just like opening multiple tabs in a regular window, you can switch between different tabs when going Incognito.

Moreover, going Incognito on your Chromebook doesn’t imply that you will not be able to access your regular windows; you have the option of swiftly switching between your regular browser and your Incognito browser.

PS: let’s figure out how to play Steam games on Chromebook.

But, How Does an Incognito Browser Protect Me?

Good question. As already mentioned, it puts a cloak over your internet activities, meaning that whatever you search on the internet or whatever websites you visit using your device will not get recorded.

Whenever we visit a website, our browser immediately saves a ton of data, including cookies, about that website with the intention of making our online experience easier. Such data saves your site preferences and provides you with locally relevant information.

However, when going Incognito, your browser doesn’t save any such data, which can be a treat for people who are always trying to minimize their digital footprint.

Apart from not saving any search or browsing history, the Incognito mode also does not save any of the information that you input in an online form. You can still download files when in private mode, but that file won’t get saved on the list of downloads like it does when browsing in a regular window.

Besides, if you wonder how to rotate the Chromebook screen, this guide you should check out.

Why Use Incognito Mode on Chromebook

Now that we have briefly acquainted ourselves with what the Incognito browser entails, it’s important we learn the purpose behind going Incognito before we move on to learning how to go Incognito on Chromebook.

Obviously, the first reason behind needing to go Incognito is for security and privacy purposes. The Incognito browser comes in handy when you are using a device that is shared by others. In such a case, it is quite natural that you don’t want your browsing history saved.

Besides, when surfing the internet in your regular window, the browser saves usernames, passwords, and many other similar personal details to make your experience more fluid the next time you visit that website.

This otherwise useful feature of a browser can become undesirable if a device is shared by many people at once. It could increase the risk of your private information being leaked.

The Incognito mode also comes in handy when protecting your search history on a public computer. Past searches can be kept remotely on the system, influencing future search recommendations and results.

While this function can be quite useful when you are on your private device, the same cannot be said for when you are browsing the internet on a public computer.

How to Go Incognito on Chromebook

We have thoroughly gone over how you can protect your data and online activity using Incognito on Chromebook. Now, without wasting any more time, let’s see how to go Incognito on Chromebook.

Follow the steps below to access your Incognito browser on your Chromebook.

1: Launch the Chrome browser on your device and tap on the three horizontal dots you notice in your upper right corner.

three horizontal dots on Chrome browser

2: A list will appear in front of you, out of which you need to select the third option labeled New Incognito Window. Clicking on it will take you to your Incognito browser.

New Incognito Windows

3: While the Incognito browser looks slightly different than your regular browser with a gray background and a message informing you that you’ve gone Incognito, browsing using the private mode isn’t any different than on a regular window.

Almost all the features you get on your regular browser will be offered on the Incognito window.

How to Go Incognito on Chromebook

How to Disable Incognito Mode on Chromebook

Once you know how to go Incognito on Chromebook and are done browsing the internet safely using the private mode, you can come back to your regular window as easily as you entered the private window.

Follow the steps below.

1: After you are done with your private browsing session, tap on the little tab that says Incognito in your upper right corner.

2: Next, you will get a menu either saying “Exit Incognito” or “Close Incognito,” depending on your browser version. Click on it, and you will come out of your Incognito mode just as swiftly as you went into it.

How to Disable Incognito Mode on Chromebook

Drawbacks of Chromebook Incognito Mode

Now that we know all about how to go Incognito on Chromebook and what it has to offer us. Let us briefly discuss the limitations posed by the Incognito mode.

As mentioned above, unlike your regular window, your Incognito window fails to store cookies and other such data.

These data can often be unknowingly helpful to a user- they help websites load faster the next time you visit them, they help collect your site preferences so that you can have a more personalized experience, and they also help store critical data like usernames and passwords so that you don’t have to enter them every time you visit a website.

For the Sake of a More Secure Browsing Session, the Incognito Mode Compromises the Personalized Touch of Your Browser.

Hence, every time you open an Incognito window, it is like a blank slate without any prior information on how you like to surf the internet. However, it is a small price you should be willing to pay when you are in need to browse the internet safely without worrying about leaving a trail of crumbs.

But, above everything else, the biggest limitation of the Incognito mode is that it only makes you partially invisible. That means your browsing activity, although it will not be saved on your device, can still be accessed by your Internet Service Provider(ISP), your employer, or your school.

It makes complete sense, though. When using a public network, when at your workplace or at your school, it’s important to be civil and mindful of what you browse on the internet. From the perspective of the employer or the school, it is equally important to monitor what the individuals of that network are engaging in on the internet.

So, even if the Incognito mode hides your browsing history on your device, it fails or chooses not to hide it from the owner of a public network for a myriad of security purposes.

There is also a misconception that going Incognito can protect users from being exposed to viruses. That is definitely not true. You run the risk of being exposed to computer viruses, malware, and spyware on your Incognito browser, just like you do on your regular browser.

How to Delete Browsing History on Chromebook

If the limitations posed by the Incognito mode are something you are not willing to encounter yet still want your browsing history hidden- you can try something else.

You can delete your history on your Chromebook, so your browsing information does not fall into the wrong hands.

Follow the steps below.

1: Launch the Chrome browser on your device and tap on the three horizontal dots you notice in your upper right corner.

2: A list will appear in front of you, out of which you need to select the fourth option labeled History. Next, in the History tab, tap on Clear Browsing Data. Select the time range and click on Clear data to delete your browser history.

Delete Browsing History

Also read: How to enable Caps Lock on Chromebook.

Common FAQs About Incognito Mode on Chromebook

Q1: Can websites still track me in Incognito Mode? Yes, while Incognito Mode prevents Chromebook from storing your browsing history, websites can still track your IP address and monitor your online activities.

Q2: Does Incognito Mode hide my location? No, Incognito Mode does not hide your location. Websites and your internet service provider can still determine your approximate location.

Q3: Can I use extensions in Incognito Mode? Yes, you can use extensions in Incognito Mode; however, some extensions may not function properly or may be disabled by default.

Q4: Can I bookmark websites in Incognito Mode? Yes, you can bookmark websites in Incognito Mode, but they will not be saved once you close the Incognito window.

Q5: Can I download files in Incognito Mode? Yes, you can download files while browsing in Incognito Mode; however, they will be saved to your device and can be accessed even after closing the Incognito window.

Final Thoughts

This was all about how to go Incognito on Chromebook. Go Incognito to ensure that your personal data does not get into the hands of a third party.

Jack
Jack

Ten years of experience in information and computer technology. Passionate about electronic devices, smartphones, computers, and modern technology.

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