Microsoft Edge’s InPrivate Mode is designed to prevent Edge from storing browsing information on a local device. Although it improves privacy, it can make it difficult for parents, schools, and organizations to monitor browser activity.
By modifying a specific Windows policy setting, you can disable this feature completely. The process only takes a few minutes and works on most modern versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to disable In-Private Mode in Microsoft Edge using easy, beginner-friendly steps.
How to Disable In-Private Mode in Microsoft Edge Browser?
To disable InPrivate Mode in Microsoft Edge, open Registry Editor, navigate to the Microsoft Edge policy key, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named InPrivateModeAvailability, and set its value to 1. After restarting Edge, the InPrivate browsing option will be removed from the browser.
Let’s go into detail!
Step 1: Close Microsoft Edge Completely
Before making any changes, it’s important to close all running instances of Microsoft Edge.
Open Edge and save any work you currently have open. Close every browser window and tab. This helps prevent conflicts when Windows applies the new policy later.
If you’re unsure whether Edge is fully closed, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Look for any Microsoft Edge processes running in the background. If you find any, select them and click End Task.
Making sure Edge is completely closed helps ensure that the new configuration takes effect properly after the changes are made.
Step 2: Open the Registry Editor
The next step is to access the Windows Registry Editor.
Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter.
If you see a User Account Control prompt asking for permission, click Yes.
The Registry Editor is a built-in Windows tool that stores system settings and policies. Since you’ll be making changes to important system configurations, it’s a good idea to proceed carefully and follow each step exactly as described.
Inside Registry Editor, you’ll need to move to the Edge policy section.
Navigate to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
You can manually browse through the folders on the left side of the Registry Editor window or copy the path and paste it into the Registry Editor address bar.
Once you reach the Microsoft folder, check whether an Edge folder already exists underneath it.
If you see it, select it and move on to the next step.
If it doesn’t exist, you’ll need to create it manually.
Step 4: Create the Microsoft Edge Registry Key
If the Edge key is missing, creating it is simple.
Right-click the Microsoft folder, select New, and then choose Key.
Name the new key Edge exactly as shown.
The name must be entered correctly because Windows uses this key to store Microsoft Edge policy settings.
After creating the new key, click it once to highlight it. The right pane should now be empty or contain any existing Edge-related policies.
You’re now ready to create the setting that disables InPrivate browsing.
Step 5: Create the InPrivateModeAvailability Value
This step is where the actual disabling takes place.
With the Edge key selected, right-click in the empty area on the right side of the Registry Editor window.
Select New and then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new value:
InPrivateModeAvailability
Be sure to type the name exactly as shown. Even a small typo can prevent the setting from working correctly.
After creating the value, you’ll see it appear in the right pane.
This registry entry controls whether InPrivate Mode is available in Microsoft Edge.
Step 6: Set the Value Data to Disable InPrivate Mode
Now you’ll configure the setting.
Double-click InPrivateModeAvailability to open the editing window.
In the Value data field, enter:
1
Then click OK.
Microsoft uses different values for this setting:
0 means InPrivate Mode is enabled.
1 means InPrivate Mode is disabled.
2 forces Edge to always use InPrivate Mode.
By setting the value to 1, you’re instructing Edge to remove access to InPrivate browsing entirely.
Once you click OK, the policy change is saved immediately in Windows.
Step 7: Restart Your Computer
Although the registry change is already saved, restarting your computer ensures that Windows fully applies the new policy.
Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.
During startup, Windows reloads system policies and updates browser settings accordingly.
This step is especially important if Edge was previously running or if multiple user accounts are configured on the device.
After the restart is complete, log back into Windows and launch Microsoft Edge.
Step 8: Verify That InPrivate Mode Is Disabled
Now it’s time to confirm that everything worked correctly.
Open Microsoft Edge and click the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
Look through the menu options.
If the configuration was successful, the New InPrivate Window option will either be missing or unavailable.
You can also try pressing Ctrl + Shift + N, which is the standard keyboard shortcut for opening an InPrivate window.
If nothing happens, InPrivate Mode has been successfully disabled.
At this point, users will only be able to browse using standard Edge windows.
Additional Tips
Before making changes to the Windows Registry, consider creating a System Restore Point. This provides a safety net if you ever need to undo system changes.
If you’re managing multiple computers in a workplace or school environment, you may find it easier to apply the setting through Group Policy rather than editing each computer manually.
If you decide to restore InPrivate Mode later, simply return to the same registry location and change the InPrivateModeAvailability value from 1 to 0.
For shared family computers, disabling InPrivate Mode can make browsing activity easier to monitor and can help enforce parental control policies.
Remember that disabling InPrivate Mode does not block users from using other privacy tools such as VPN services or alternative browsers, unless those are also managed separately.
FAQs
Why would someone disable In-Private Mode in Microsoft Edge?
Many parents, schools, and organizations disable InPrivate Mode to ensure browsing activity can be monitored, logged, or reviewed when necessary.
Does disabling InPrivate Mode affect normal browsing?
No. Regular browsing works the same. The only change is that users can no longer open private browsing sessions.
Can I re-enable InPrivate Mode later?
Yes. You can return to the same registry setting and change the InPrivateModeAvailability value back to 0.
Does this method work on Windows 11?
Yes. This method works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, provided you have administrative permissions.
Is Registry Editor safe to use?
Yes, when used carefully. Always follow instructions accurately and consider creating a backup or restore point before making changes.
Will this affect other browsers?
No. This setting only applies to Microsoft Edge. Browsers such as Chrome or Firefox are not affected.
Summary
InPrivate Mode is a useful privacy feature in Microsoft Edge, but there are times when disabling it makes more sense, especially on shared computers, business devices, or family PCs. The process involves opening Registry Editor, creating the Edge policy key if necessary, adding the InPrivateModeAvailability value, and setting it to 1.
Once the computer is restarted, Microsoft Edge will no longer allow users to open InPrivate browsing sessions. The change is straightforward, takes only a few minutes, and can be reversed at any time if needed.