How do I Browse Privately with Firefox ?

To start Private Browsing:

1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and select Start Private Browsing.
   
2. When you turn on Private Browsing, Firefox alerts you that it will save your current windows and tabs for after you finish using Private Browsing. Click Start Private Browsing to continue.
   
   
   • Check the box next to "Do not show this message again" if you don't want to receive this alert when you turn on Private Browsing.
3. The Private Browsing information screen appears to confirm that you're in Private Browsing mode.

When browsing in Private Browsing mode, the Firefox button will be purple (for Windows XP the window title will say (Private Browsing) instead) during your session.

How do I turn off Private Browsing?

To end a Private Browsing session:

1. At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button (Tools menu in Windows XP) and select Stop Private Browsing.
   
2. The windows and tabs you were using when you enabled Private Browsing will appear, and you can use Firefox normally. The Firefox button will turn orange again (for Windows XP the Firefox window title will no longer say (Private Browsing)) when Private Browsing is off.

How do I always start Firefox in Private Browsing?

There is a setting in the Options window that automatically enables Private Browsing whenever you start Firefox.

If you enter Private Browsing this way, the Firefox button won't turn purple (Windows XP, the Firefox title bar won't say (Private Browsing)) but Firefox will still not retain history as described above.

1. At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Firefox button and then select Options
2. Select the Privacy panel.
   
3. Set Firefox will: to Use custom settings for history.
4. Check the box next to Always use private browsing mode.
5. Click OK to close the Options window