XINSTALL BY CLICKING THE DOWNLOAD FILE
Windows 11 hasn’t exactly had the best time. From the KB5064081 update from August 2025, causing the password option to be hidden on the sign-in screen, to the fact that 42.6% of Windows users are still running Windows 10, which is around 500 million devices (The Verge), it’s just not a good time to be Windows 11.
Essentially, the barrage of issues Windows 11 24H2 has introduced makes us wonder how good the upcoming Windows 12 will be—maybe Microsoft will have more success with uptake as people run from the plagued Windows 11.
One of the features that does work is incognito mode, but only 76% of people actually understand how it works (Quantable Analytics). Is Windows 11’s incognito mode doing as much for users as it should? Read on to find out.
What Incognito Mode Is Supposed to Do—and What Users Expect From It
Incognito mode is a sophisticated web browser privacy feature that all search engines and browsers, such as the Windows 11 Microsoft Edge, have.
When you browse the web in incognito mode, your search history, cookies, and some other temporary data that would usually be saved to your device are not saved locally. Essentially, you’re browsing the internet invisibly, and anyone who uses your device after you won’t see what you were just looking at on the internet unless you leave the tab open and they open the incognito tab.
The expectation from users is that a private browsing session leaves no trace of their activity on the local device they are using.
How Incognito Mode Works in Windows 11 Browsers
The incognito mode on the Windows 11 Microsoft Edge browser works the same way it does on every other search engine. Users can find it by:
- Opening Microsoft Edge
- Clicking on the three dots in the top right corner.
- Clicking on “open new InPrivate window.”
Only in that window is browsing activity private and won’t save to the local device. That temporary, separate browsing tab automatically deletes all browsing data as soon as the window is closed. That data includes:
- Cookies and site data
- Form data
- Passwords
- Cached images and files
- Clipboard history
What Incognito Mode Does Not Protect You From
Those 76% of users who don’t actually understand how incognito mode works won’t realize that it doesn’t give you 100% privacy. The next person using your device might not see what you were looking at as soon as the tab is closed, but incognito mode does not hide your activity from third parties. Your activity can still be seen by:
- Your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- The website you visit
- Network administrators
- Search engines (Google or Bing can still log your searches.
- Government agencies
The only exception is if you use a VPN, but even then, the VPN provider can see your browsing history.
But sometimes, even with sophisticated and simple solutions, your data can still end up in the wrong hands. To remove your personal information from the internet, we’d recommend using a third-party data removal service that will perform a search to find all the databases storing your personal information. You don’t need to go through the complicated process yourself, they know how to remove personal information from google for free. They’ll request that your data be removed, thus reducing your digital footprint and improving your safety online.
Common Misconceptions About Incognito Mode on Windows 11
Not everyone understands incognito mode, so here’s some of the myths and truths about it:
MythRealityIncognito hides your identity onlineIt only hides activity from your local deviceWebsites can’t track youSites still see your IP and browser fingerprintIt blocks ads and trackersTrackers still work without extensionsYour ISP can’t see activityISPs still see all trafficIt prevents data brokersData can still be collected elsewhereIt makes you anonymousIt only stops local history savingWhen Incognito Mode Is Actually Useful
Incognito mode can definitely be useful and people should definitely consider using it over standard browsing modes.
Use CaseWhat It Helps WithWhy It WorksLogging into multiple accountsAvoids account conflictsNo stored session cookiesPrivate searches on shared PCsHides activity locallyBrowsing history isn’t savedTesting websitesShows clean page versionsCached data and cookies ignoredTemporary loginsPrevents saved credentialsPasswords aren’t storedReducing short-term targeted adsLimits ad tracking signalsCookies are deleted when closedAvoiding price bias (sometimes)Reduces repeat-visit signalsNo persistent site cookiesWhy Incognito Mode Doesn’t Reduce Your Overall Digital Footprint
Incognito mode is great if you’re doing some Christmas shopping on a shared iPad and you don’t want your partner to see what you were looking at.
But the fact that it only keeps your data from being stored on your local device means that your overall digital footprint is likely still growing when you’re browsing in incognito mode. The third parties we mentioned can still collect the following data:
- Your location
- Your browser
- Your operating system
- What accounts you logged into
- Personal information like emails, phone numbers, and addresses from the accounts you logged into.
How to Remove Personal Information That Incognito Mode Doesn’t Touch
Considering incognito mode is only doing so much, understanding how to remove personal information that incognito mode doesn’t touch can help to reduce your digital footprint and increase your online safety.
According to statistics, data brokers control over 70% of the global population’s online data (Cyber Security Intelligence), with some estimates suggesting they gather an average of 1,000 data points on each individual with an online presence (CNBC). Those data points can be:
- Search engine clicks
- Account sign-ins
- Social media comments
- Email sign-ups
Why Browser Privacy Alone Isn’t Enough for Long-Term Protection
Using incognito mode for browser privacy alone isn’t enough for long-term protection. The data varies, but most sources suggest the average person spends 6.5 to 7 hours per day browsing the internet (AllConnect), and every click and online movement during those hours is a digital footprint.
Is Windows 11’s incognito mode doing enough for users? The issue is that it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to do, but people don’t understand that privacy is limited to the local device. There’s actually so much potential exposure of browsing activity in incognito mode, and that applies to all browsers.
Here’s a timeline that shows why browser privacy alone isn’t enough for long-term protection:
Timeline StageWhat You DoWhat Actually HappensWhy Privacy Tools Fall ShortDay 0Clear cookies, use private browsing, enable tracker blockingYour browser stops some trackingYour data already exists elsewhereWeek 1Opt out of one data broker siteListing disappears temporarilyRemoval applies only to that snapshotMonth 1Continue normal online activityData brokers refresh from other sourcesNew feeds reintroduce the same dataMonth 3Use VPN or hardened browserBrowsing looks anonymousOffline records still update online profilesMonth 6Assume removal is permanentListing reappearsBatch imports override past opt-outsYear 1Change address or phoneOld data still circulatesHistorical records retain valueOngoingRely only on browser privacyExposure slowly increasesData flows beyond the browserFrequently Asked Questions About Incognito Mode and Privacy
How private is my incognito browsing mode?
Not as much as you think. The next person to use your device might not see what you were looking at once you close the tab, but third parties can still access the information they want.
Does Windows 11 have the best incognito mode?
No browser technically has the best incognito mode. They all work the same, and how safe your browsing history is depends on how you use it.
Can I make my browsing safer without incognito mode?
The only way to make your browsing experience safer is by using a third-party data removal service that will continuously perform removal requests for you.
Keelan Balderson
Keelan is a lifelong Windows user and is passionate about all things tech and security. He likes to dig into the latest tools and software to see what really works, so users can make an informed choice. As a trained journalist from the UK, Keelan combines his love of computers and writing, to create helpful reviews and guides for others.