All browsers have an incognito browsing mode that enables users to browse the web without generating a record of their online activities on the computer they are using. It also stops websites from monitoring or tracking you, expires all logged in sessions on the computer automatically and does not store cookies.

In some situations, it is helpful. You cannot deactivate incognito browsing by default, however, to avoid this restriction, you can use other hacks. This is how incognito mode can be disabled in Chrome on Windows and Android.

Windows

You have to edit the Windows registry, which requires access to the administrator account or its login credentials if you want to disable incognito mode in Chrome. If not that, there is a second way to disable incognito through the Command Prompt. It requires a single line command and is an easy process but also involves administration access or permissions.

Using Registry Editor

• Press Ctrl+R to open the Run dialogue box. Search for regedit in the search box and click OK.
• Copy and paste the following location in the search bar located at the top of the screen.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome

• You will see a registry label called IncognitoModeAvailability, right-click on it and select Modify.
• Enter ‘1’ in the text box under ‘Value data’ and click OK. Change the value to ‘0’ if you want to enable Incognito mode.

Close the Registry Editor and restart Chrome. If everything is done right, there will be no option to launch Chrome in incognito mode.

Also read: How to use Ping command to test your internet network

Using Command Prompt

• Open Start menu and search for Command Prompt or cmd and run it as administrator.
• Copy the following line of code and paste it in the cmd console and hit Enter.

REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome /v IncognitoModeAvailability /t REG_DWORD /d 1

You will see a message that says ‘The operation completed successfully’, close cmd and open Chrome, you will find the Incognito mode disabled.

• To enable Incognito mode through Command Prompt, use the following code:

REG DELETE HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome /v IncognitoModeAvailability /f

Also read: 15 useful Chrome extensions to get the most out of your browser

Android

Disabling Incognito mode in Chrome on Android is a task. It cannot be done natively and requires third-party applications to be disabled. These free apps stop Chrome from opening new incognito tabs and hence doesn’t let you use them.

Here’s how to disable Incognito Mode in Chrome on Android

• Open Play Store on your device and download the DisableIncognitoMode app.
• Launch the app and open the tab that says, ‘Open Settings’, turn on the toggle beside the apps name in Notification access. You will be followed with a dialogue box warning you, click on Allow and head back to the DisableIncognitoMode app.
• Open Chrome and try opening an Incognito tab, it should fail to do so.
• To re-enable the Incognito mode, turn off the toggle which was earlier turned on in Settings.

Also read: How to block cryptocurrency miners in your web browser

iOS

We couldn’t find anything good enough to suggest you to restrict the access of incognito mode on Safari in iOS. But if you’re looking to limit access to certain websites for someone else using your iPhone/iPad or on your kid’s device, we’ve got you covered.

• Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad
• Find and tap on Screen Time
• On the next Window, tap on Content & Privacy Restrictions and then Content Restrictions
• Now tap on Web Content; on the next window, you’ll see three options — Unrestricted Access (default option), Limit Adult Websites and Allowed Websites only.

If you select Limit Adult Websites, the device will automatically disable access to websites that Apple has tagged adult. You can also manually add websites that can’t be accessed.

If you’re looking to allow only a few websites on the device — say on your kids’ iPad — you should choose Allowed Websites only. Using this option, you’ll have control over which sites can be accessed on the device as you manually control the list of sites.

Also read: How to remove data that websites store on your iPhone or iPad?