Microsoft Edge gives you a convenient InPrivate browsing mode when you want to browse without keeping certain local browsing information after you close the InPrivate windows. Normally, you can open InPrivate by launching Edge and selecting the option from the browser menu. However, if you use InPrivate regularly, there is a much faster approach.
You can create a desktop shortcut that opens Microsoft Edge directly in InPrivate mode. Once the shortcut is set up, you can simply double-click it whenever you want to start a private browsing session.
The process is straightforward, even if you have never created a custom Windows shortcut before. You only need to create a shortcut for the Edge executable and add the appropriate InPrivate command-line switch to its target.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the process step by step and explain what each part does.
Create a Shortcut to Open Edge Browser in InPrivate Mode
To create a shortcut that opens Microsoft Edge directly in InPrivate mode:
- Right-click an empty area of your Windows desktop and select New > Shortcut.
- Enter the location of the Microsoft Edge executable, followed by the -inprivate switch.
- Select Next and give the shortcut a recognizable name, such as Edge InPrivate.
- Select Finish to create the shortcut on your desktop.
- Double-click the new shortcut to launch Edge directly in an InPrivate window.
- If Windows doesn’t accept the target, verify the Edge executable path and make sure -inprivate is outside the quotation marks.
Step 1: Open the Windows Desktop
Start by going to your Windows desktop, where you want the new Edge InPrivate shortcut to appear. You can minimize your open applications or press Windows + D to quickly show the desktop.
Creating the shortcut on the desktop makes it easy to access whenever you need it. You can later move the shortcut to another folder, pin it to the taskbar, or place it somewhere else if that’s more convenient.
Once you’re looking at an empty area of the desktop, you’re ready to create the shortcut.
Step 2: Start Creating a New Shortcut
Right-click an empty area of the desktop. From the context menu, move your pointer to New, then select Shortcut.
Windows will open the Create Shortcut window. This window asks you to specify the location of the item you want the shortcut to launch.
A shortcut is essentially a quick-access instruction that tells Windows which application or file to open. In this case, you’ll configure it to launch Microsoft Edge with a special command that starts an InPrivate session.
Step 3: Enter the Microsoft Edge Program Location
In the Type the location of the item box, enter the path to the Microsoft Edge executable.
On many Windows installations, the Edge executable is located at:
“C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe” -inprivate
The exact location can vary depending on how Edge was installed and how your Windows installation is configured. The important parts are the msedge.exe executable and the -inprivate command.
Notice the quotation marks around the executable path. Because the path contains spaces, Windows needs the path enclosed in quotation marks. The -inprivate switch should come after the closing quotation mark.
This distinction is important. The quotation marks identify the application path, while -inprivate tells Edge how you want it to start.
Step 4: Continue to the Shortcut Name
After entering the location, select Next.
Windows will now ask you to enter a name for the shortcut. This is the name you’ll see underneath the shortcut icon on your desktop.
Enter something descriptive, such as Microsoft Edge InPrivate, Edge Private, or simply Edge InPrivate. A clear name is useful if you already have a regular Edge shortcut nearby because you’ll immediately know which one opens the browser in InPrivate mode.
After entering the name, select Finish.
Step 5: Test the Edge InPrivate Shortcut
You should now see your new shortcut on the Windows desktop.
Double-click the shortcut to test it. If everything was entered correctly, Microsoft Edge should open directly in an InPrivate window instead of opening a normal browsing window first.
You can confirm that Edge opened in the correct mode by looking for the InPrivate indicator in the Edge window. This lets you know that the shortcut is launching Edge with the intended command.
If a regular Edge window opens instead, don’t worry. The most common cause is an incorrect executable path or a problem with the command formatting. You can correct the shortcut by following the next step.
Step 6: Check and Correct the Shortcut Target
If the shortcut doesn’t open InPrivate mode, right-click the shortcut and select Properties.
You’ll see the Target field under the Shortcut tab. This field contains the instruction Windows uses to launch Edge.
Make sure the target follows this basic structure:
“Edge executable path” -inprivate
The -inprivate portion must be outside the quotation marks surrounding the executable path.
For example, a correctly formatted target can look like this:
“C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe” -inprivate
After correcting the target, select Apply, then OK. Double-click the shortcut again and check whether Edge now opens directly in InPrivate mode.
Find the Correct Edge Executable If Necessary
If the path shown above doesn’t work on your computer, you can locate the actual Edge executable rather than guessing its location.
Open File Explorer and navigate through the folders where Microsoft Edge is installed. You can also use Windows search to locate msedge.exe.
Once you find msedge.exe, right-click it and choose Copy as path if that option is available. You can then use that path when configuring the shortcut.
Remember that the executable path and the -inprivate switch serve different purposes. The executable path tells Windows what program to launch, while the switch tells Edge to start in InPrivate mode.
Customize the Shortcut for Easier Access
Once you’ve confirmed that the shortcut works, you can make it easier to recognize.
Right-click the shortcut, select Properties, and then select Change Icon. Windows may display available icons associated with the application. Select an Edge icon or another recognizable icon and confirm your selection.
You can also rename the shortcut to something short, such as Edge InPrivate.
If you use this shortcut frequently, you can also move it to a convenient location or place it alongside your other browser shortcuts. The goal is simply to make the InPrivate version easy to distinguish from your standard Edge shortcut.
What the InPrivate Shortcut Does
The shortcut doesn’t create a separate version of Microsoft Edge. It simply starts the same Edge browser with the -inprivate command.
InPrivate mode is designed to limit the browsing information Edge retains locally after the InPrivate session ends. However, it does not make you anonymous online.
For example, your network administrator, employer, school, internet service provider, or websites may still be able to observe or obtain information about your online activity depending on the network, account, and services involved.
It’s also important to understand that files you download and bookmarks or favorites you deliberately save aren’t automatically erased simply because you used InPrivate mode.
Faqs
Can I create an Edge InPrivate shortcut on Windows 11?
Yes. You can create one using the New > Shortcut option on the Windows desktop and configure the Edge executable with the -inprivate command-line switch.
Does the shortcut open a normal Edge window first?
When configured correctly, the shortcut should launch Edge directly into an InPrivate window. You don’t need to open Edge normally and then choose InPrivate from the browser menu.
What if -inprivate doesn’t work?
First, open the shortcut’s Properties and check the Target field. Make sure the Edge executable path is correct and that -inprivate appears outside the closing quotation mark.
Can I keep both normal Edge and InPrivate shortcuts?
Yes. You can have a standard Edge shortcut and a separate Edge InPrivate shortcut on your desktop. They can launch the same Edge installation in different modes.
Does InPrivate hide my IP address?
No. InPrivate mode does not hide your IP address or make your internet connection anonymous. It primarily changes how Edge handles browsing information during the private session.
Will downloaded files disappear when I close InPrivate mode?
No. Downloaded files remain on your computer after you close the InPrivate window. You need to delete those files manually if you no longer want them.
Can I pin the InPrivate shortcut to the taskbar?
Depending on your Windows version and shortcut configuration, you can use Windows’ available pinning options to make the shortcut easier to access. If the option isn’t available directly, you can keep the shortcut on the desktop or place it in another convenient location.