Worried about privacy on shared devices? Check out these two ways to launch Chrome in Incognito mode by default on your PC or Android phone.
How to Start Chrome in Incognito Mode by Default via Desktop
On the desktop, you can either modify the Chrome shortcut or make a new entry in the Windows Registry. The former will open Incognito mode by default only when you open Chrome using that specific shortcut. The latter will disable the normal Chrome window and force Chrome to open in Incognito mode, no matter how you launch it.
Method #1: Editing the Chrome Shortcut
Create a new Chrome shortcut to still have an easy option to open Chrome normally. Right-click on the Chrome shortcut on the desktop, and select Send to -> Desktop (create shortcut).
This will create another Chrome shortcut on the desktop. Right-click the new shortcut, and select Properties.
In the Target section, add a space at the very end, and enter -incognito.
"C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" -incognito
Click on OK, and Chrome will launch in Incognito mode by default using this shortcut. To distinguish between the icons, either change its name or click on Change Icon in Properties, and use the Incognito mode icon.
Method #2: Windows Registry
Before you follow carry out this method, back up the Windows Registry, as any incorrect change in the Registry can cause system instability and possible data loss.
Press the Win + R keys, and type regedit in the Run dialog to open the Windows Registry.
Here, move to the below location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\PoliciesRight-click on Policies, select New -> Key, and name this new key “Google.”
Right-click on this Google key, select New -> Key, and name this key “Chrome.”
While the Chrome key is selected, right-click in the right panel, and select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name this entry “IncognitoModeAvailability,” double-click on it, and change its value to 2.
Restart Chrome and it will always launch in Incognito mode. The New window button will be grayed out, and the Ctrl + N shortcut won’t work either.
If you want to undo these changes, change the value of the IncognitoModeAvailability entry to 0, or delete the entry.
How to Start Chrome in Incognito Mode by Default on Android
Android may not be as customizable as Windows, but it still offers built-in ways to launch Chrome in Incognito mode by default. Either launch it from the Chrome icon without opening the regular Chrome window first, or create a new shortcut on the home screen for faster access.
Method #1: From the Chrome Icon
This method might be a little slow, but it’s the easiest if you don’t need to launch Chrome in Incognito mode often.
Tap and hold the Chrome icon to open icon options, then select the New Incognito Tab option to launch Chrome in Incognito mode.
Your regular opened tabs will not load. However, if you tap on the tabs button, the regular tabs will become accessible.
Method #2: Create a Dedicated Home Screen Shortcut
If you need to open Chrome in Incognito mode often, a dedicated shortcut will be better. To create a new home screen shortcut on Android, tap and hold on the Chrome icon, then tap and hold on to the New Incognito Tab option, and move the shortcut to your preferred place on the home screen.
If your phone doesn’t support creating a shortcut like this, you can also use the Chrome shortcuts widget. Tap and hold on any empty space on the home screen, and select Widgets.
Open Chrome widgets, and tap and hold on Chrome Shortcuts to place it anywhere on the home screen.
This widget will have a few shortcuts to important Chrome features, including a shortcut to directly launch Incognito mode.
It’s worth mentioning that even though Incognito mode has many uses, it is not an answer to all your privacy concerns. Therefore, forcing your PC to always launch Chrome in Incognito mode won’t offer better privacy. For most users, creating a separate shortcut for Incognito mode would be better.
All images and screenshots by Karrar Haider.
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