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how do I turn off private browsing?

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  • 9 have this problem
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  • Last reply by cor-el

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When I go to some website, I get the error message "turn off private browsing" How do I turn it off?

When I go to some website, I get the error message "turn off private browsing" How do I turn it off?

All Replies (5)

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Hello reggieat, in Tools > Preferences > Privacy > History > Firefox will > deselect the "Never remember history" and you are out of private browsing..........BUT what is the website that request to turn off private browsing, please share it with us.

thank you

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That's a very odd message to get from a website! Websites should not be able to tell whether you are using private browsing, but perhaps the site tried to set a cookie or use another storage/tracking feature and wasn't able to do so, and therefore assumes you are using private browsing.

Sometimes information websites normally expect to receive is stripped or blocked by an add-on. Could you test in Firefox's Safe Mode? That's a standard diagnostic tool to deactivate extensions and some advanced features of Firefox. More info: Diagnose Firefox issues using Troubleshoot Mode.

If Firefox is not running: Hold down the Shift key when starting Firefox. Sorry: Shift is for Windows, on Mac, it is the option key.

If Firefox is running: You can restart Firefox in Safe Mode using either:

  • "3-bar" menu button > "?" button > Restart with Add-ons Disabled
  • Help menu > Restart with Add-ons Disabled

and OK the restart.

Both scenarios: A small dialog should appear. Click "Start in Safe Mode" (not Refresh).

Any difference?

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

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Clear the cache and remove cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Firefox > Preferences > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Firefox > Preferences > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

You can inspect and manage permissions for the domain in the currently selected tab via these steps:

  • Click the "Site Identity Button" (globe/padlock) on the location/address bar
  • Click "More Information" to open "Tools > Page Info" with the Security tab selected
  • Go to the Permissions tab (Tools > Page Info > Permissions) to check the permissions for the domain in the currently selected tab
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reggieat said

When I go to some website, I get the error message "turn off private browsing" How do I turn it off? I am using a MAC with OS 10.10.
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Can you tell us what you have tried so far?

Can you post a link to a publicly accessible page (i.e. no authentication or signing on required)?

You can check the network.http.* prefs on the about:config page. Reset network.http prefs to the default value via the right-click context menu -> Reset if they are user set (bold).

You can open the about:config page via the location/address bar. You can accept the warning and click "I'll be careful" to continue.