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Chrome: Disable Incognito Mode

Chrome: Disable Incognito Mode

By 50 Comments

If you want to prevent the use of Incognito Mode in the Google Chrome web browser, you can disable the feature using these steps.

Windows

  1. Hold down the Windows Key and press “R” to bring up the Run box.
  2. Type “regedit“, then press “Enter“.
  3. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” > “SOFTWARE” > “Policies” > “Google” > “Chrome“.
    Note: You may have to create the “Google” and “Chrome” folders.
  4. Right-click “Chrome” and select “New” > “DWORD 32-bit value“
  5. Give the value a name of “IncognitoModeAvailability“.
  6. Double-click on “IncognitoModeAvailability“. A box will appear where you can set the value data to “1“.
  7. Restart the computer, and the option to select “Incognito Mode” in Google Chrome will be gone.

Alternatively, you can download this registry import file and run it to set the changes for you.

MacOS

    1. From the Finder, select “Go” > “Utilities“.
    2. Open the “Terminal” application.
    3. Type the following, then press “Enter“:
      defaults write com.google.chrome IncognitoModeAvailability -integer 1
    4. Restart your Mac. The Incognito Mode option will no longer be available

If you want to revert this setting and allow Incognito Mode again, perform the same steps, only change the “1” to a “0”

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thanks, worked perfect!

    One thing to note, in order to create the folders for Google and Chrome, you should right click on Policies and select New Key. Wasn’t obvious to me that that was how you create a new folder.

  2. I want to block my child’s ability to access Google Crome’s Settings. Is there a way to Block Settings ?

  3. using your clear instructions i was able to remove the incognito window from my computer, but now there is a “new incognito window” . i used the same instructions as for the “incognito window” removal, but it is not going away.
    what is the difference between these 2 windows?
    how do i get rid of the new window?
    is this a permanent deletion, unless it is turned back on?
    i appreciate you help.

  6. Can anyone tell me how incognito mode got on my Mac when I’m the only one who uses it and have never requested or changed any settings? Could my laptop be hacked?

  7. Why can’t I just use this page and check off my intent? Disable, Restore, New program requested etc.?????? Why must I involve myself in making a new page etc etc. etc. where I am destined to fail and mess up other programs?????

  8. DID THIS HELP? NO! I don’t want to open new accts, I want to DELETE this program, which was put on my page without telling me or Asking IF I wanted it! A simple page should be available with the questions delineated which would allow selection of one’s purpose incldg Erase, Change , restore, delete program.

  10. This worked for me the second time I tried it on the Mac — I followed the instructions exactly. And I agree with the parents who are mad at the browser creators. When our teenagers have to be able to use the computer at all times to do homework, it is impossible to ban the computer and really hard to control what they are doing when they use incognito on the sly!

    I so appreciate your help, Mitch! I have been searching for a solution for months.

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