How to Create Incognito Mode Shortcut on Windows Desktop

Quick Tips

• Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select New > Shortcut.
• Give your shortcut a recognizable name, like Incognito Chrome or Secret Browsing.
• For a visual reminder, change the shortcut icon to something sleek and incognito-themed. Most browsers allow you to browse for a specific icon file.

Create a Shortcut to Open Incognito Tab on Desktop

Nearly all browsers offer Incognito/Private mode, but the feature is named differently on every browser. The first step toward setting up an incognito mode shortcut on Windows is to create your default browser shortcut on the desktop.

Step 1: Right-click on the desktop, go to New, and select Shortcut.

Step 2: In the Shortcut wizard, click the Browse button.

Step 3: Now, locate the browser app (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Brave) you wish to add as a desktop shortcut and click on OK. 

Step 4: Click on Next.

Step 5: Type a name (ex: Chromecognito) for the shortcut and click on Finish.

This adds your selected browser as a desktop shortcut. Mind you, making an incognito mode shortcut on Windows is incomplete. So, follow the instructions based on the browser you use.

For Google Chrome

Step 1: Right-click on the shortcut and click on Show more options.

Step 2: Click on Properties.

Step 3: In the target field, after the closing quotation, type -incognito.

Step 4: Click on Apply > OK.

Now, your Google Chrome is all set to launch in incognito mode. If you are a Firefox user, check out the next method.

For Firefox

Step 1: Right-click on the shortcut and click on Show more options.

Step 2: Click on Properties.

Step 3: In the target field, after the closing quotation, append the existing path with space, type -private-window.

Step 4: Click on Apply > OK.

Now, your Mozilla Firefox is all set to launch in Private Browsing immediately. However, if Firefox is acting weird, check out these ways to fix Firefox not opening on Windows.

For Microsoft Edge

Chromium-based Microsoft Edge resembles many of Google Chrome’s functionalities. However, the browser uses the term InPrivate instead of incognito, which comes from early Internet Explorer.

Step 1: Right-click on the shortcut and click on Show more options.

Step 2: Click on Properties.

Step 3: After the closing quotation, append the existing path with space, type -inprivate.

Step 4: Click on Apply, followed by OK. 

For Opera

Step 1: Right-click on the shortcut and click on Show more options.

Step 2: Click on Properties.

Step 3: After the closing quotation, append the existing path with a space and type -inprivate.

Step 4: Click on Apply and then OK. 

Create Brave Browser Private Window Shortcut

Step 1: Right-click on the shortcut and click on Show more options.

Step 2: Click on Properties.

Step 3: In the target field, after the closing quotation, append the existing path with space, type -incognito.

Step 4: Click on Apply and OK. 

Also Read: Microsoft Edge Chromium vs. Brave

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