How to Open Microsoft Edge InPrivate Every Time

December 28, 2021 Matt Mills How to, Software 0

Updated on November 6, 2026

Press Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows to open a private Edge window now. To start Edge in InPrivate every time you use a particular Windows shortcut, add --inprivate to that shortcut. A Windows administrator can also require InPrivate through a browser policy.

Microsoft Edge InPrivate browsing

Choose how you want to open InPrivate

What you want to do What to use
Open one private window Choose New InPrivate window from the three-dot menu. The shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows or Command + Shift + N on Mac.
Start Edge in InPrivate from the desktop Make a dedicated Windows shortcut with --inprivate.
Require InPrivate for Edge launches Use the InPrivateModeAvailability policy on a computer you administer.

Check for the InPrivate label when the window opens. See Microsoft’s Edge keyboard shortcuts.

Make a Windows shortcut that opens Edge InPrivate

  1. Copy an existing Edge desktop shortcut. Rename the copy Edge InPrivate.
  2. Right-click the copy, open Properties, then look for Target on the Shortcut tab.
  3. Keep the existing path to msedge.exe. After the closing quotation mark, add a space and --inprivate. Keep the argument outside the quotes.
  4. Choose Apply, open the shortcut, and confirm that the window says InPrivate.
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" --inprivate

Your Edge installation path may differ. To open a particular website, add its address after the executable path and before --inprivate. Use a different address in place of the example below. Microsoft’s command-line example

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" "https://www.example.com/" --inprivate

When every Edge launch needs to use InPrivate

The desktop shortcut applies when you open it. A link from email or another app can still use the regular Edge window. On a PC you administer, Microsoft’s InPrivateModeAvailability policy has a Forced (2) option to require InPrivate. Open edge://policy to see the policies Edge is using. For a work or school computer, ask the device administrator. Microsoft’s policy documentation

What InPrivate clears when you close it

When you close every InPrivate window, Edge clears local session data such as browsing history, cookies and download history. Files you downloaded and favorites you saved stay on the device. Sites you sign in to can still recognize you, and your network provider or administrator can still see some activity. See Microsoft’s InPrivate guide and our explanation of private browsing and VPNs.

Frequently asked questions

How do I open another InPrivate tab?

Open a new tab inside an InPrivate window. On Windows, press Ctrl + T while that window is active.

Why did my shortcut open a regular window?

Check that you used the copied shortcut. Make sure --inprivate follows a space outside the quotation marks around msedge.exe. Try the InPrivate option in Edge’s menu to see whether the mode is available.

Why is New InPrivate window unavailable?

A family setting or an organization policy can restrict InPrivate. Ask the family organizer or device administrator about the setting.

How do I open InPrivate on my phone?

Open the tabs view in the Edge app, select InPrivate, and add a tab. Close your InPrivate tabs when you’re finished. Microsoft’s mobile steps

How do I make the shortcut open Edge normally again?

Remove --inprivate from the copied shortcut or go back to your original Edge shortcut.