Use Edge InPrivate on a borrowed PC without expecting anonymity

InPrivate reduces some traces left in the local Edge profile after all InPrivate windows close. It does not hide browsing from websites, an employer, a school or an internet provider, and it does not prevent downloaded files or favorites from remaining. A borrowed computer can also have monitoring or unwanted extensions. Decide whether the task is safe to do there before you open a sensitive account.

Before you start​

Prefer your own trusted device for banking, health or account recovery. If you must use a borrowed PC, check that the Windows session is not shared with an unknown person and avoid saving files. Remember that passwords already saved in the profile used to launch InPrivate may be offered in that window.

Do it step by step​

1. Launch Edge from the normal application icon and select New InPrivate window from Settings and more. Confirm the InPrivate window indicator before entering any private search or account data.
2. Check the address of each site independently and use its normal sign-in flow. InPrivate is not a phishing detector; it does not add special protection against malicious websites.
3. Avoid downloads. If one is necessary, choose a safe location you control, move the file securely when finished, and remove the local copy. Downloaded files can remain even after the InPrivate session closes.
4. Do not assume location is hidden. Site location permission can still follow the launching profile's settings; inspect the browser prompt and deny a request that is unnecessary for the task.
5. Finish by signing out of websites, then close every InPrivate window. Closing only one tab may leave cookies and session state active in other InPrivate windows.
6. Check the downloads folder and any favorites you added, then sign out of the operating-system session. On a device managed by someone else, you cannot independently verify what system-level records or monitoring remain.

Check the result​

All InPrivate windows are closed and no sensitive downloaded file is left on the borrowed device. You have not confused an empty Edge history with proof that nobody else could observe the session.

If something goes wrong​

If you accidentally used a regular window, sign out, clear that profile's relevant local data and consider changing a credential only if the device or session was untrusted. If InPrivate is disabled, a family or organization policy may be responsible; do not evade it on a managed machine.

Know the limit​

Microsoft says InPrivate removes local history, cookies and form data on closing all InPrivate windows, but keeps downloaded files and favorites. Extensions allowed in InPrivate may collect activity. It is a local privacy feature, not network anonymity or protection from a compromised computer. Microsoft Edge InPrivate limits