How to disable inprivate browsing in new MS Edge?

Question

Before the release of new Edge, as part of making our computers family safe, we implemented the Family Features and blocked using any other browser.  but we also disabled inprivate browsing, so it is always greyed out.

Now after upgrading to the new Edge, inprivate browsing has been re-instated.  All the old measures for editing the registry don't work. 

How do you disable inprivate browsing in new MS Edge?

All help appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I appreciate the efforts taken by you in resolving this issue. I understand that you want to disable InPrivate browsing in new Microsoft Edge. I’ll certainly help you with the issue.

Refer the steps mentioned below:

**Note:**Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. To backup and restore registry key, refer tothislink.

1. Press Windows Logo key + R, to open Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and click on OK.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft
4. Now, right click on Microsoft key, select New, and select Key.
5. Rename the newly created key as Edge.
6. Click on Edge key, on the right hand pane, right click on empty space, select New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
7. Rename the newly created DWORD as InPrivateModeAvailability.
8. Double click on the InPrivateModeAvailability DWORD and change the value to 1.
9. Restart the computer and check.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

Answer 2

Hi folks, 

I wanted to update that this issue is fixed in version 86+, so be sure to update to the latest version. If you're seeing this issue in the future, please post up a new thread and we'll take a look!

Thanks, 

-Alex

Answer 3

👍👍👍

Answer 4

How can i use Microsoft Family Safety to disable InPrivate Browsing?  My teen has figured out hos to change the registry back to re-enable it?  Isnt there something Microsoft can add to Family Safety do i dont have to go back and forth to their computer when i know they will just change it back!

Answer 5

Hi Nikhar,

Thanks for the answer - it obviously works, as far as it goes. As pointed out below, it doesn't take long before they figure out how to use RegEdit to bypass this fix. This brings up 2 things. 

1. When will the 'new' Edge be fixed so that this option is enabled by default as soon as you "Block inappropriate websites" as expected, and perhaps more importantly -
2. When can we add more apps to the application list to block, like RegEdit.exe and MMC.exe so that the little darlings don't just run policy editors and undo all our careful restrictions? If you can add any browser and any program 'installed' - surely we can be trusted to describe any other program by filename?

Best regards

Gavin