Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history

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  • Revision id: 37593
  • Created:
  • Creator: Michael Verdi
  • Comment: Fx 20 Updates - Work in progress - DO NOT APPROVE
  • Reviewed: No
  • Ready for localization: No
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As you browse the web, Firefox remembers lots of information for you: sites you've visited, files you've downloaded, and more. There may be times, however, when you don't want other users on your computer to see this information, such as when shopping for a birthday present.

Private Browsing allows you to browse the Internet without saving any information about which sites and pages you’ve visited. This article explains what information is not saved when in Private Browsing and gives you step-by-step instructions for using it.

Warning: Private Browsing doesn't make you anonymous on the Internet. Your Internet service provider, employer, or the sites themselves can still track what pages you visit. Private Browsing also doesn't protect you from keyloggers or spyware that may be installed on your computer.

What does Private Browsing not save?

  • Visited pages: No pages will be added to the list of sites in the History menu, the Library window's history list, or the Awesome Bar address list.
  • Form and Search Bar entries: Nothing you enter into text boxes on web pages or the Search bar will be saved for Form autocomplete.
  • Passwords: No new passwords will be saved.
  • Download List entries: No files you download will be listed in the Downloads Window after you turn off Private Browsing.
  • Cookies: Cookies store information about websites you visit such as site preferences, login status, and data used by plugins like Adobe Flash. Cookies can also be used by third parties to track you across websites. For more info about tracking, see How do I turn on the Do Not Track feature?
    Note: To prevent Flash from storing cookies, you must be using its latest version. See Updating Flash for instructions.
  • Web cache files: No temporary Internet files or cached files from web pages will be saved.
  • Visited pages: No pages will be added to the list of sites in the History menu, the Library window's history list, or the Awesome Bar address list.
  • Form and Search Bar entries: Nothing you enter into text boxes on web pages or the Search bar will be saved for Form autocomplete.
  • Passwords: No new passwords will be saved.
  • Download List entries: No files you download will be listed in the Downloads Window after you turn off Private Browsing.
  • Cookies: Cookies store information about websites you visit such as site preferences, login status, and data used by plugins like Adobe Flash. Cookies can also be used by third parties to track you across websites. For more info about tracking, see How do I turn on the Do Not Track feature?
    Note: To prevent Flash from storing cookies, you must be using its latest version. See Updating Flash for instructions.
  • Cached Web Content and Offline Web Content and User Data: No temporary Internet files (cached files) or files that websites save for offline use will be saved.
Note:
  • If you create new Bookmarks while using Private Browsing, they will not be removed when you stop Private Browsing.
  • If you save files to your computer while using Private Browsing, they will not be deleted when you stop Private Browsing. However, any files you open in an external application will be cleared from the system's temporary folder, and none of the files you download will appear in the Downloads list.

How do I open a new Private Window?

There are two ways to open a new Private Window.

Open a new, blank Private Window

  • At the top of the Firefox window, click the File menu and select New Private Window. A new Private Window will open.

    fx20 new private window - file menu
    At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button and select New Private Window. A new Private Window will open.
    New Private Window Fx20 Win7
    On the menu bar, click the Tools menu and select New Private Window. A new Private Window will open.
    New Private Window Fx20 Mac
    At the top of the Firefox window, click the Tools menu and select New Private Window. A new Private Window will open.
  • Right-clickHold down the control key while you click on any link and choose Open Link in New Private Menu from the context menu. A new Private Window will open with the link you selected.
    Link in Private Window Fx20 Win7Link in Private Window Fx20 Mac
Important: When in Private Browsing mode, the window title will say (Private Browsing) followed by a purple Private Browsing badge . You may also have other windows open that are not Private Browsing windows.When in Private Browsing mode, the Firefox button will be purple. You may also have other windows open that are not Private Browsing windows.

Normal - Private Fx20 Win7Normal - Private Fx20 Mac

How do I turn on Private Browsing?

To start Private Browsing:

  1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and select Start Private Browsing.On the menu bar, click the Tools menu and select Start Private Browsing.At the top of the Firefox window, click the Tools menu and select Start Private Browsing.
    Private Browsing Win1


    Private Browsing Mac1

    Private Browsing Lin1
  2. When you turn on Private Browsing, Firefox alerts you that it will save your current windows and tabs for after you finish using Private Browsing. Click Start Private Browsing to continue.

    Private Browsing Win2


    Private Browsing Mac2

    Private Browsing Lin2
    • Check the box next to "Do not show this message again" if you don't want to receive this alert when you turn on Private Browsing.
  3. The Private Browsing information screen appears to confirm that you're in Private Browsing mode.Private Browsing Win3Private Browsing Mac3Private Browsing Lin3

When browsing in Private Browsing mode, the Firefox window title will say (Private Browsing)the Firefox button will be purple (for Windows XP the window title will say (Private Browsing) instead) during your session.

How do I turn off Private Browsing?

To end a Private Browsing session:

  1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and select Stop Private Browsing.On the menu bar, click the Tools menu and select Stop Private Browsing.At the top of the Firefox window, click the Tools menu and select Stop Private Browsing.
    Private Browsing Win4


    Private Browsing Mac4

    Private Browsing Lin4
  2. The windows and tabs you were using when you enabled Private Browsing will appear, and you can use Firefox normally. The Firefox window title will no longer say (Private Browsing)The Firefox button will turn orange again (for Windows XP the Firefox window title will no longer say (Private Browsing)) when Private Browsing is off.

How do I always start Firefox in Private Browsing?

There is a setting in the OptionsPreferences window that automatically enables Private Browsing whenever you start Firefox.

If you enter Private Browsing this way, the Firefox title bar won't say (Private Browsing)the Firefox button won't turn purple (Windows XP, the Firefox title bar won't say (Private Browsing)) but Firefox will still not retain history as described above.
  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  2. Select the Privacy & Security panel and go to the History section.

  3. In the drop-down menu next to Firefox will, choose Use custom settings for history.
  4. Check the box next to Always use private browsing mode.Private Browsing Win5 Fx7Private Browsing Mac5Private Browsing Lin5
  5. Close the Settings page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.
Note: If you enter Private Browsing this way, the Firefox title bar won't say (Private Browsing) and won't have a purple badge but Firefox will still not retain your history as described above.Note: If you enter Private Browsing this way,the Firefox button won't turn purple but Firefox will still not retain your history as described above.
  1. In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click Firefox and then select Preferences or Settings, depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button Fx89menuButton and select Settings.
  2. Select the Privacy panel.
  3. Set Firefox will: to Never remember history.
    Never Remember History Win7Never Remember History Mac
  4. You will see a message that Firefox needs to restart to enable this feature. Click OK and Firefox will restart in permanent Private Browsing mode.