Chrome’s Incognito Mode Just Got More Private — Here’s What You Should Know

You’ve probably used Incognito mode in Chrome before—maybe to book a surprise trip, check hotel prices, or log into another account. Most people know it hides your browsing history and blocks cookies. But did you know it wasn’t entirely private until recently?

The Privacy Gap You Didn’t Know About

Here’s the thing: when you copied something in Incognito mode—like a password, an address, or sensitive business info—Windows could still save it in your clipboard history. Worse, if you had clipboard syncing turned on, it could send that data to your other devices too. So much for private browsing.

A Quiet but Important Fix

Thankfully, Microsoft has fixed this issue. Now, if you’re browsing privately in Chrome (or InPrivate mode in Microsoft Edge) and copy something, that content won’t show up in your clipboard history or get synced across devices.

That means your copied text, links, or images stay private—just like you expected from Incognito mode in the first place.

What Else Does Incognito Mode Do?

When you open a private tab in Chrome or Edge, your browser now avoids saving:

• Browsing history – so no one else using your device can see where you’ve been

• Cookies and site data – so websites don’t track you after you close the tab

• Form entries – so things like login names or search terms aren’t saved

Everyday Reasons to Use It

Even if you’re not dealing with sensitive data, Incognito mode is helpful for:

• Checking flight prices without travel sites hiking costs due to cookies

• Logging into multiple accounts without signing out first

• Using shared devices without leaving a digital trail

Bonus: More Privacy for Videos

There’s another nice improvement too: If you’re watching a video in Incognito mode, Windows used to show a preview with the title and artwork when you adjusted the volume or locked your screen.

Now? It simply says, “A site is playing media.” No preview. No title. Just privacy.

This is especially helpful if you’re watching something sensitive—like a private training video or business webinar—and don’t want it popping up on your screen for others to see.

One Thing to Keep in Mind

While Incognito mode now offers better on-device privacy, it doesn’t make you invisible online. Your internet provider, workplace network, or the websites you visit can still see your activity.

Need Better Business Privacy?

If you handle sensitive business information and want stronger protection, we can help set up tools and habits that go beyond Incognito mode. Reach out today—we’re here to keep your data safe.

Next Steps

Are you looking for a new IT service provider? Check out our free guide that explains how to choose your next IT service provider for some quick tips to get you started! Schedule a free 15-minute discovery call with someone from our team to see if we’re a good mutual fit!