Private Browsing - Use Firefox without saving history
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- Revision id: 9005
- Created:
- Creator: Cheng Wang
- Comment: Made a few edits
- Reviewed: Yes
- Reviewed:
- Reviewed by: Verdi
- Is approved? Yes
- Is current revision? No
- Ready for localization: Yes
- Readied for localization:
- Readied for localization by: Verdi
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This article describes a feature available in Firefox 3.5, Private Browsing, which allows you to browse the Internet without Firefox retaining any data about which sites and pages you have visited:
- To use this feature, update to Firefox 3.5.
- To find information on clearing browsing history in Firefox 3.0.x, see Clearing Private Data.
As you browse the web, Firefox helpfully remembers lots of information for you – sites you've visited, files you've downloaded and more. However, there may be times when you don't want other users of your computer to see this information. For example, if you share a computer with someone and have been shopping for their birthday present.
Firefox 3.5 and later includes the Private Browsing feature which allows you to browse the Internet without saving any information about which sites and pages you’ve visited. This article explains what information is not saved when in Private Browsing and gives you step-by-step instructions for using it.
Table of Contents
What does Private Browsing not save?
- Visited pages: No pages will be added to the list of sites in the History menu, the Library window's History list, or the Awesome Bar address list.
- Form and Search Bar entries: Nothing you enter into text boxes on web pages or the Search bar - add, change and manage search engines on Firefox will be saved for Control whether Firefox automatically fills in forms.
- Passwords: No new passwords will be saved.
- Download List entries: No files you download will remain in the list in the Where to find and manage downloaded files in Firefox after you turn off Private Browsing.
- Cookies: Cookies are files created by websites that store information on your computer, such as your preferences when visiting a certain site. These will not be stored. For more information on cookies, see Cookies - Information that websites store on your computer.
- Web cache files: No temporary Internet files or cached files from web pages will be saved until you turn off Private Browsing.
- If you create new Bookmarks in Firefox while using Private Browsing, they will not be removed when you stop Private Browsing.
- If you save files to your computer while using Private Browsing, those files will not be deleted when you stop Private Browsing. However, any files you open in an external application will be cleared from the system's temporary folder, and none of the files you download will appear in the Where to find and manage downloaded files in Firefox list.
How do I turn on Private Browsing?
- At the top of the Firefox window, On the menu bar, click the menu ( menu in Windows XP), menu and select menu .
- When you turn on Private Browsing, Firefox will alert you that it will save your current windows and tabs for after you finish using Private Browsing. Click on
- Put a check mark next to "Do not show this message again" if you do not want to receive this alert the next time you turn on Private Browsing.
to continue. - You will then enter Private Browsing mode, and the Private Browsing information screen will appear.
When browsing in Private Browsing mode, the Firefox window title will say (Private Browsing)the during your session. menu will be purple (for Windows XP the window title will say (Private Browsing) instead)
How do I turn off Private Browsing?
- At the top of the Firefox window, On the menu bar, click the menu ( menu in Windows XP), menu and select menu .
- The windows and tabs you were using when you enabled Private Browsing will appear, and you can use Firefox normally. The Firefox window title will no longer say (Private Browsing)The when Private Browsing is off. menu will turn orange again (for Windows XP the Firefox window title will no longer say (Private Browsing))
How do I always start Firefox in Private Browsing?
There is a setting in the OptionsPreferences window which will automatically enable Private Browsing whenever you start Firefox.
- In the Menu bar at the top of the screen, click and then select or , depending on your macOS version.Click the menu button and select . .
Select the
panel and go to the History section.- Check the box next to Automatically start Firefox in a private browsing sessionPermanent Private Browsing mode.
- Close the page. Any changes you've made will automatically be saved.