How to Do Private Browsing in Internet Explorer 11: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever wanted to surf the web without leaving a digital trace? Whether you’re shopping for a surprise gift, researching something private, or simply don’t want your browsing history saved — private browsing is your go-to tool. In Internet Explorer 11 (IE 11), this feature is called InPrivate Browsing.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to do private browsing in Internet Explorer 11, explain what it does (and doesn’t do), and share expert tips to keep your online activity truly private.

What Is Private Browsing in Internet Explorer 11?

Private browsing in IE 11 — officially called InPrivate Browsing — allows you to browse the internet without saving your session data. This includes your history, cookies, cached files, form data, and temporary internet files.

When you close an InPrivate window, Internet Explorer automatically deletes all session information. It’s perfect when you want to browse discreetly on a shared or public computer.

Think of it like using a temporary workspace — once you close the window, it’s as if you were never there.

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How Does InPrivate Browsing Work?

When you open an InPrivate Browsing window, Internet Explorer runs that session in a separate, isolated process. This means:

• No history is recorded.

• Cookies and temporary files are deleted after you close the session.

• Auto-complete won’t store form entries or passwords.

• Search queries won’t be saved in the address bar.

However, your internet provider, employer, or network administrator may still see your activity. InPrivate only hides it locally, not from the network or websites.

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Why Should You Use Private Browsing?

Here are some common reasons to use InPrivate Browsing in Internet Explorer 11:

• ✅ Protect privacy on shared or public computers

• Shop online without affecting price algorithms or saved carts

• Search confidential topics without them appearing in history

• Sign in to multiple accounts (like two Gmail or Outlook accounts) simultaneously

• Prevent autofill from storing form or login data

Private browsing is a simple yet powerful tool for managing your online footprint.

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How to Do Private Browsing in Internet Explorer 11 (Step-by-Step)

Let’s walk through the exact steps to start an InPrivate Browsing session in Internet Explorer 11.

Step 1: Open Internet Explorer 11

Launch Internet Explorer 11 from your Start Menu, Taskbar, or Desktop.

Step 2: Click the Tools Icon (Gear Icon)

In the upper-right corner, click the gear icon ⚙️ to open the Tools menu.

Step 3: Choose “Safety”

From the dropdown menu, hover over or click Safety.

Step 4: Select “InPrivate Browsing”

Click InPrivate Browsing from the Safety submenu.

Step 5: Start Browsing Privately

A new window opens with a blue “InPrivate” indicator next to the address bar.
Now, you can browse without saving your activity locally.

Tip: You can open multiple InPrivate windows at once, each isolated from your normal browsing session.

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Keyboard Shortcut for InPrivate Browsing

Don’t want to click through menus every time? Use this quick keyboard shortcut:

Press:
Ctrl + Shift + P

This instantly opens a new InPrivate Browsing window.

✅ Works even faster than the menu method
✅ Ideal for quick, private sessions

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How to Know You’re in InPrivate Mode

Here’s how to confirm that InPrivate Browsing is active:

If you see “InPrivate,” you’re browsing privately.

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How to Turn Off Private Browsing in IE 11

Turning off InPrivate Browsing is simple. Just:

1. Click the X in the top-right corner to close the InPrivate window.

2. Once closed, all temporary data — history, cookies, cache — is automatically deleted.

There’s no need to manually disable it — InPrivate sessions end the moment you close the browser window.

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What Happens When You Use InPrivate Browsing

Here’s what Internet Explorer does and does not save during an InPrivate session:

As shown, InPrivate mode isolates your activity — but only within the browser.

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What Doesn’t Private Browsing Hide?

Many users assume private browsing makes them invisible. Unfortunately, that’s not true.

Here’s what InPrivate Browsing cannot hide:

• Your IP address (visible to websites and ISPs)

• Your downloaded files (they remain on your device)

• Bookmarks you manually save

• Activity monitored by employers or schools through network logs

So, while it protects local privacy, it doesn’t guarantee full anonymity online.

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Comparing InPrivate Browsing with Other Browsers’ Modes

Let’s see how Internet Explorer’s InPrivate Browsing stacks up against others:

All private modes function similarly — they don’t save your browsing data locally. The main difference lies in user interface and tracking prevention strength.

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How to Enable or Disable InPrivate Browsing for Multiple Users

If you’re managing a shared or family computer, you might want to restrict or allow InPrivate Browsing.

To Disable InPrivate Browsing (Administrator Only):

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Internet Explorer → Privacy

3. Double-click Turn off InPrivate Browsing.

4. Select Enabled to disable the feature.

5. Click Apply → OK.

To re-enable, repeat the steps and select Disabled instead.

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How to Manage Extensions in InPrivate Mode

Extensions can sometimes track or log data, even in private mode. To manage them:

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click the gear icon → Manage add-ons.

3. Review which add-ons are enabled.

4. Disable any unnecessary or untrusted ones before opening an InPrivate session.

For maximum privacy, it’s best to browse without add-ons in InPrivate mode.

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Tips for Staying Truly Private Online

Private browsing is helpful — but not bulletproof. For stronger privacy protection, try these tips:

• Use a VPN: Encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP.

• Clear downloads manually: InPrivate won’t delete files you saved.

• Delete cookies and cache regularly.

• Avoid signing in to personal accounts (Google, Facebook) while in private mode.

• ️ Consider modern browsers like Edge or Firefox, which offer stronger tracking prevention.

Combining these methods gives you comprehensive online privacy.

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Common Issues and Fixes for InPrivate Browsing

1. Can’t open InPrivate window

Fix: Check if the feature is disabled via Group Policy. Re-enable it using the steps in the “Disable” section above.

2. “InPrivate” option greyed out

Fix: Restart your browser or computer. Also, ensure you have admin rights.

3. InPrivate icon not showing

Fix: It may be hidden by custom themes. Confirm by checking the window title bar — it should mention “InPrivate.”

4. Add-ons still active

Fix: Use “Manage Add-ons” and disable them manually before browsing privately.

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Conclusion

Private browsing in Internet Explorer 11 — or InPrivate Browsing — is a simple and effective way to surf the web without leaving behind a trail of cookies, history, or form data.

By following the steps above, you can start and stop private sessions easily, whether for privacy, testing, or managing multiple logins. Just remember that InPrivate Browsing doesn’t make you invisible online — your network or ISP can still monitor activity.

For full anonymity, combine it with VPNs, strong passwords, and modern browsers that offer enhanced privacy protection.

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FAQs About Private Browsing in Internet Explorer 11

1. How do I open an InPrivate Browsing window quickly?

Press Ctrl + Shift + P to open a private window instantly.

2. Does InPrivate Browsing hide my IP address?

No. It hides local browsing data, but your IP address is still visible to websites and ISPs.

3. Can I download files in InPrivate mode?

Yes, but downloaded files remain on your computer after you close the window.

4. Is InPrivate Browsing the same as using a VPN?

No. A VPN encrypts your entire connection; InPrivate only hides local data.

5. How do I disable InPrivate Browsing?

Use the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) and enable the Turn off InPrivate Browsing option.

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Key Takeaways

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InPrivate Browsing in Internet Explorer 11 may be old-school, but it’s still a handy privacy tool when used correctly. Whether you’re safeguarding personal searches, signing in to multiple accounts, or just curious about online privacy, these steps ensure you stay in control of your digital footprint.