If you’ve ever used Incognito mode in Chrome, you probably know the basics: it lets you browse without saving your history, cookies, or other temporary data.
But was it ever truly private? Not entirely.
Until recently, if you copied something from an Incognito tab, like text, an image, or a web address, Windows could still save it in your clipboard history and even sync it to other devices.
Microsoft has quietly stepped in to fix that loophole, making Incognito mode even more private.
When you open an Incognito tab in Chrome (or InPrivate mode in Edge), your browser stops saving:
Your browsing history (so nobody else using your device can see what websites you’ve visited)
Cookies and site data (so websites won’t remember you after you close the tab)
Form data (so your browser won’t autofill your details next time)
Why Incognito mode is handy
There are a few scenarios in which you might find Incognito mode handy. For example:
Checking flight or hotel costs without tracking cookies (which can cause price hikes)
Logging in to multiple accounts without having to sign out
Using a shared computer without leaving a trail
Or, let’s say you’re copying confidential business information or a personal message while in Incognito mode. Before this update, Windows would have saved that copied text in your clipboard history, meaning anyone who pressed Windows Key + V later could see it.
Even worse, if you had Cloud Clipboard enabled (which syncs clipboard data between Windows devices), your copied content could end up on another device entirely.
Microsoft spotted and patched this issue, ensuring that when you copy something in Incognito mode, Windows won’t save it to your clipboard history or sync it to the cloud.
So, now your activity truly disappears when you close the tab (Google has since picked up this change and rolled it into Chrome updates for everyone).
Media previews are now hidden when using Incognito mode
This is another small but useful privacy improvement.
Usually, when you play a YouTube video (or any media) in Chrome, Windows previews what’s playing whenever you adjust the volume or check the media panel. If you’re on the lock screen, it even shows details like the video title and artwork.
Thanks to the update, if you’re watching something in Incognito, it now just says, “A site is playing media”. No titles, no thumbnails, no details.
This means that if, for example, you’re watching a business-sensitive video, there’s no accidental exposure if someone else glances at your screen.
And, if you use Incognito mode for private browsing, you’re now getting better protection than before, even if you didn’t realise there was a problem in the first place.
But remember:
Incognito mode still doesn’t hide your activity from your internet provider
It also doesn’t hide it from your work network or the websites you visit. It’s great for local privacy on your device, but won’t make you completely anonymous online.
If you need help ensuring your sensitive business data stays private, get in touch.