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    Home»How to»How to Turn Off and Disable Google Chrome Incognito Mode in Windows 10
    How to

    How to Turn Off and Disable Google Chrome Incognito Mode in Windows 10

    By Viney DhimanFebruary 10, 2020Updated:May 25, 202146 Comments4 Mins Read
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    Whenever you visit any website in Google Chrome, it keeps the vital data on the page on your hard drive. These files are used for various purposes varying from storing the history of the website which you have visited in a text file called cookies.

    Although, this data is used to improve the browsing experience. On the other hand, if you’re concerned about your privacy, then it also a privacy breach. To help users with this, all the modern browsers offer Incognito mode including Google Chrome.

    Google Chrome Incognito mode protects your overall privacy by not keeping local data that could be regained later. This mode disables web cache and browsing history in the Chrome browser. Incognito mode is also known by various names like Private Browsing, Private Window, InPrivate Browsing, Porn mode, and Private mode.

    Incognito Mode is a handy feature of the Chrome browser. To open Incognito mode in Chrome:

    1. Click on the three-dot menu icon available at the top right side of the screen.

    2. From the menu click on New Incognito Windows.

    open new incognito window chrome

    Alternatively, you can press CTRL + SHIFT + N keyboard combination to open it quickly.

    You might also want to learn about How to Start Google Chrome in Safe Mode.

    But some users want to disable Incognito Mode of Chrome in Windows 10. There might be a variety of reasons why they want to disable Incognito mode. Maybe their smart kids taking advantage of Incognito mode to visit websites that are not suitable for them. Or there might be other strong reasons about which I’m not aware of.

    You might be interested in reading blog post on Fix ‘status_access_violation’ Error in Chrome and Edge

    Disable Incognito Mode of Chrome in Windows 10

    Whatever is the reason behind disabling Google Chrome incognito mode, the truth is there is no official setting available in the browser to disable chrome the Incognito mode. But that doesn’t mean you can’t do that.

    There is a workaround which you can use to disable Incognito mode in Chrome browser. Here’s what you need to do:

    Things to Keep in mind:

    • We have tested this workaround in Chrome v80 and its working flawlessly.
    • You need to have the administrative right for the account or the credentials of the admin account.
    • If you’re using the Registry hack for the first time, it is recommended to create a backup of the registry before modifying it.

    1. Launch Registry Editor. For that, type regedit in the Start menu search bar. When the same result appears in the search results, click to open it.

    Launch Registry Editor in Windows 10

    When the UAC dialog box comes up, click Yes to continue.

    2. Next, in the Address bar of Registry editor, you need to copy-paste: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies and hit enter.

    3. Here on the left panel, Right-click on the Policies > New > Key and name it Google. You have to do this if, Google Key is unavailable under, else skip this step.

    create google policy under privacy policy in windows 10 registry editor

    Following the same procedure, you need to create a Chrome key under Google.

    DWORD (32-bit) value and name it IncognitoModeAvailability

    4. On the right side, you need to right-click and from the menu select DWORD (32-bit) value and name it IncognitoModeAvailability.

    Note: In case, you’re running 64-bit machine, still you need to create 32-bit DWORD value.

    5. You need to set Value data 1 for the IncognitoModeAvailability DWORD value. For that, double-click on the key, type the value, and click OK.

    IncognitoModeAvailability  value data 1

    6. Close the Registry editor.

    In case, Chrome browser is already running, then close and relaunch it. You will notice that the “New Incognito Window” option is not available in the Chrome menu.

    How to Disable Incognito Mode of Chrome in Windows 10 - 2020

    At any point, if you want to bring back the Incognito mode in Chrome browser, then you need to repeat the same steps and change the Value data of IncognitoModeAvailability from 1 to 0.

    Frankly speaking, if you follow the steps correctly, this workaround will disable the Incognito mode of Chrome in Windows 10. We have personally tested this workaround and it worked flawlessly.

    You can also disable Incognito mode in Microsoft Edge browser, learn how to do it: How to Disable Microsoft Edge InPrivate Browsing Mode in Windows 10

    Check out YouTube video for step by step instructions:

    Find this workaround useful? What is your reason behind disabling Incognito mode in Chrome? Let me know your thoughts in the comments?

    Please do not hesitate to Contact me on Twitter if you want assistance with issue related to Windows 11, Windows 10, and Edge browser. I will try my best to assist you ASAP. (Follow me first and then PM your issue on Twitter)

    Buy us a coffee if you find information shared in this blog post useful. Mention ‘Coffee’ in Subject. So that I can thank you

    Google Chrome
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    Viney Dhiman
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    Himachali, Mechanical Engineer, Snooker Lover, Avid drinker of Scotch, Traveler, and Webmaster.

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    View 46 Comments

    46 Comments

    1. Dan on October 16, 2017 10:12 pm

      sadly there is no local group policy editor in windows 10 home 🙁

      Reply
      • Viney Dhiman on October 17, 2017 9:26 pm

        Sorry to hear that you’re running Windows 10 home edition. But I got a solution for you why don’t you check out the most post on how to get Group Policy Editor in Windows 10 Home edition (https://goo.gl/TgEBvH). Once done, you can easily employ the same workaround to disable incognito mode of Google Chrome. I hope this helps you 🙂

        Reply
        • Chris on January 27, 2018 1:56 am

          This Windows Home workaround didn’t work for disabling incognito mode, unfortunately. I was able to perform all the steps and it shows the mode to be set as disabled, but it’s not.

          Reply
        • Chris on January 27, 2018 3:02 am

          Update: Found elsewhere that installing Google Canary (dev version of Chrome) will work with Win 10 Home and the gpedit workaround to disable incognito mode. I can confirm that’s the case. In fact, you don’t need to leave Canary installed. I initially installed it side by side with standard Chrome and found Incog mode was gone. I uninstalled Canary, and it is still gone.

          Reply
      • Brady Smith on March 14, 2018 11:24 pm

        I needed to disable incognito on the work computer to help keep receptionists more focused and accountable. This worked perfectly! Thank you!

        Reply
        • Viney Dhiman on March 15, 2018 10:28 am

          I’m glad this helped you 😀

          Reply
    2. Sam on November 3, 2017 7:38 am

      THANK YOU!! After much searching, *this worked* when the “IncognitoModeAvailability” regedit would not work for windows 10 and chrome.

      Reply
      • Jessica Ianiro on December 2, 2017 9:17 pm

        I second this comment. I am so relieved to have found a workaround. I *thought* I had completely locked-down the internet for my kids until I found out they could bypass my filters with Incognito Mode . I am beyond thankful that you offered this solution. My main reason for wanting Incognito Mode blocked is because of all of the porn that is everywhere on the internet, and will even show up during otherwise innocent Google and YouTube searches. My children deserve to have their innocence protected as long as possible. Thanks for helping with that!

        Reply
    3. Realm on November 12, 2017 5:40 am

      Everything works except the last step. I have IncognitoAvailability enabled and set Incognito Available Disabled.

      Reply
    4. leo on December 22, 2017 8:47 am

      At step 8 I cannot open it. I got an error:
      The file that you specified it is not valid or too long
      Am I supposed to install the program?

      Reply
    5. Robin Danz on July 17, 2019 2:30 am

      Forgot how to do it so Googled, came to your site, followed the directions, and it worked on every customer machine so far.
      Awesome, thanks!

      Reply
    6. Jim Klocek on September 8, 2019 7:42 pm

      I have the registry key installed (Windows 10 Home 64-bit)) and the Incognito mode option is not available in Chrome controls (v76).

      However, I still get notifications from Norton Family that our daughter is using Incognito mode. How is this possible?

      Jim

      Reply
      • Viney Dhiman on September 9, 2019 7:15 pm

        You getting a notification for Chrome browser?

        Reply
    7. MomfromCanada on October 17, 2019 7:17 am

      Thank you! This worked perfectly, and I’m not that tech savvy!

      Reply
    8. Mymomwantsincognitogone on October 30, 2019 7:51 am

      Hey this was really helpful I found other unreliable sources and they failed me this one actually worked thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Geekermag Staff on October 30, 2019 10:47 am

        I’m glad you find it useful. Don’t forget to share, and keep reading 🙂

        Reply
    9. Dan on February 5, 2020 8:40 pm

      This worked beautifully on 2/5/2020! Very grateful!

      Reply
      • Geekermag Staff on February 5, 2020 8:45 pm

        Thanks for confirming 🙂

        Reply
    10. Boss on February 6, 2020 2:15 am

      Worked and so quick too, glad to see the end of it

      Reply
      • Geekermag Staff on February 6, 2020 7:55 am

        Thanks for confirming, Keep reading 🙂

        Reply
    11. Moustaki on February 20, 2020 10:14 pm

      nevermind, got it figured out. Admin, please feel free to delete this comment and my previous comment. Thanks!

      Reply
    12. Michael Davis on April 7, 2020 12:55 am

      Amazing! Thanks!

      Reply
    13. Liam Smith on April 17, 2020 12:56 am

      Worked perfectly Thanks so much!! Not super proficient with the Windows operating system and you guys made it easy!

      Reply
      • Viney Dhiman on April 17, 2020 11:16 am

        I’m glad you find it useful 🙂

        Reply
    14. Leditrix on April 18, 2020 2:48 pm

      A non-porn reason for deleting the bloody thing: I used the Stayfocusd extension to…well…Stay Focused. And the incognito window is an end-around. Lately, I find myself clicking on it a hundred times a day to play Websudoku and read freakin’ CNN. All the bloody time. Now? Not so much. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to stay on task!

      Reply
    15. Mahinda Pandithage on May 2, 2020 7:30 am

      How to do this for Macbook? Any different guide for Mac?

      Reply
    16. James on May 8, 2020 9:56 am

      This disables it from the chrome menu, but does not disable it from the windows search results or from the taskbar chrome icon when right clicking. Can you provide keys to disable it in those two areas also? Otherwise your solution is only for one of three ways to launch it. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Aleck23 on May 20, 2020 3:53 pm

        The button is indeed still on the taskbar, but when I click it, it waits a second and then launches a normal chrome tab

        Reply
        • Viney Dhiman on May 21, 2020 1:37 pm

          Unpin from the taskbar and repin again.

          Reply
          • Larisa on September 16, 2020 9:40 am

            I have the same problem too even with unpinning it and repining it again

            Reply
    17. Andrew on May 20, 2020 8:13 pm

      Just tried this. Didn’t work. I also tried installing Canary to see if that worked. Negativo. Any suggestions?

      Window Home 10
      Version 10.0.18363

      Reply
      • Andrew on May 20, 2020 9:35 pm

        Nevermind! I figured it out. I have multiple Google accounts in my browser. One is managed by the school district I work for. When I removed that account, I was able to go back into Regedit and followed these steps. Worked like a charm. I’ve since added that account back to Chrome and it still works. Thanks.

        Reply
        • Paula on September 21, 2020 4:25 am

          THANK you so much! The school account was the issue for my son’s computer. I had to log him out of his school account, close chrome, then do the RegEdit.

          Then it looked like the incognito option was still available when right-clicking from the taskbar, but as someone else mentioned, it actually launches a normal bar. Replying so hopefully others will see your comment too. THANK YOU, all!

          Reply
    18. Peggy on May 25, 2020 9:45 pm

      Before I try this workaround I want to know if I will be able to log in to the apps that wouldn’t let me log in to without being in “Incognito” mode.

      Reply
      • Viney Dhiman on May 26, 2020 8:50 am

        Yes, the workaround just hide Incognito mode entry from the context menu.

        Reply
    19. Heather on June 6, 2020 7:55 pm

      This worked – thank you. My 14 y/o son just built his first PC and for now I do not allow incognito mode on his devices, so needed to remove it from his new Windows 10 PC – and I’m not tech savvy! 😉

      Reply
      • Viney Dhiman on June 7, 2020 10:59 am

        Don’t forget to share this blog post 🙂

        Reply
    20. Rakesh on July 28, 2020 11:00 am

      I follow all the steps very sincerly but unfortunately this is not working to my chrome browser.

      Reply
    21. CYNTHIA Smalls on July 28, 2020 3:33 pm

      I FOLLOWED ALL THE STEPS EXACTLY AND IT DIDN’T WORK

      Reply
    22. J Craig on August 21, 2020 2:10 pm

      Do you have any way to disable incognito mode on chromebooks? I have discovered that using incognito has got around the ‘security protection’ I put onto the chromebook.
      I havent found anything that works for chromebooks.

      Reply
    23. 007 on September 11, 2020 5:30 pm

      God bless you guys
      i was having problems with porn addiction so after i did this i installed website blockers and now i’m good
      thanks a ton

      Reply
    24. Blakely on November 4, 2020 1:14 pm

      How can I do this on an android in chrome and safari?

      Reply
      • Viney Dhiman on November 6, 2020 12:23 pm

        Not possible officially.

        Reply
    25. Elizabeth Kay on January 7, 2021 9:28 pm

      I don’t want Incognito. How can I remove it? I have iPad 2.

      Reply
    26. Heather Robinson on July 10, 2021 10:46 pm

      I needed to disable incognito on the pc that my 15 year old son uses because he uses it to view porn. I can’t believe the browser companies aren’t more proactive about this from a parental control viewpoint. These instructions worked perfectly. Editing the registry is not hard with these instructions. Note to parents, make sure the child’s account is not an admin account or they can just change the settings back. Also, there are multiple browsers with this functionality and they each need their own fix. Thanks for the information!!

      Reply
      • Viney Dhiman on July 11, 2021 11:18 am

        Thanks for your generous comment.

        Reply

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