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enable history in private browsing...

  • 6 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 18 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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Hi, I realise the subject title sounds like an oxymoron, but...

I have private browsing enabled by default always - I want what it does re cookies and the rest and in particular, I'm the sort of person that collects gazillions of tabs and it forces me to close them every time I close FF. However, I DO want to keep my browsing history - just in case one of those tabs that got closed is something that I want to go back to.

My reason for using private browsing by default is not to stop people knowing where I've been - should they care to forensically investigate my computer - but, to stop all those trackers and cookies etc AND to impose some discipline on my browsing habits...

So, I'd like all that private browsing offers, but with my browsing history - can this be done.

Thanks Morgan.

Hi, I realise the subject title sounds like an oxymoron, but... I have private browsing enabled by default always - I want what it does re cookies and the rest and in particular, I'm the sort of person that collects gazillions of tabs and it forces me to close them every time I close FF. However, I DO want to keep my browsing history - just in case one of those tabs that got closed is something that I want to go back to. My reason for using private browsing by default is not to stop people knowing where I've been - should they care to forensically investigate my computer - but, to stop all those trackers and cookies etc AND to impose some discipline on my browsing habits... So, I'd like all that private browsing offers, but with my browsing history - can this be done. Thanks Morgan.

All Replies (6)

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Well, may be - but, what would the config be to replicate private browsing in standard mode - then I could just allow the history I guess.

What, iirc, prompted the inquiry is that this is possible with Fennec on Android - I open all sites into PB tabs, but have history enabled.

Thx

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Hi

One option would be to use the "normal" (not private browsing) Firefox, but set it to clear browsing data - with the exception of history - on exit.

This support article should help:

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/delete-browsing-search-download-history-firefox#w_how-do-i-make-firefox-clear-my-history-automatically

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Hmm, that article's sort-of the wrong way round - is there an article that describes what PB does? Then, I can implement it but for the history. The link describes what standard browsing does and then how to secure it... Thanks, M.

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I guess the top link does that under the head 'What does Private Browsing not save?'

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The only way to keep links or tabs when you are in PB mode is by bookmarking all tabs e.g. "Ctrl+Shift+D", you can't keep history.

You can possibly use code in the Browser Console to save session data, this also works with PB mode tabs/windows.


/* Session data - Get/Set State */
ssj = SessionStore.getBrowserState(); // get Current Session State
ssj = prompt("Copy Current Session State\n\nPaste New Session State: press ESC or click Cancel to abort", ssj||"");
if(ssj){SessionStore.setBrowserState(ssj)}