To launch private mode in Firefox, the key combination is Ctrl + Shift + P.
Private Browsing in Firefox allows you to browse the internet without saving your browsing history, download history, form history, cookies, or temporary internet files. While it doesn't make you anonymous online, it's an excellent way to prevent others who use your computer from seeing your online activity.
For quick access to a private browsing window in Firefox, use the following keyboard shortcut:
| Command | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New Private Window | Ctrl + Shift + P |
Understanding Firefox Private Browsing
When you open a Private Window, Firefox automatically deletes your browsing information for that session when you close the window. This includes:
- Browsing and Download History: No record of the websites you visited or files you downloaded is saved.
- Form and Search History: Information entered into web forms or search bars is not retained.
- Cookies: New cookies are stored temporarily and discarded when you close the Private Window. This prevents websites from tracking you across sessions.
- Cached Web Content and Offline Web Content: Temporary files used to speed up browsing are cleared.
Why Use Private Browsing?
Private browsing is useful for several scenarios where you want to keep certain browsing activities separate from your regular profile:
- Shopping on a shared computer: Prevent holiday gift ideas from showing up in advertisements for others who use the same device.
- Logging into multiple accounts: Access a different account on a service (like email or social media) without logging out of your main one in a regular window.
- Testing websites: See how a website behaves without existing cookies or cached data, providing a fresh view.
- Maintaining local privacy: Keep your browsing private from other users of the same physical device.
Other Handy Firefox Keyboard Shortcuts
Firefox offers numerous keyboard shortcuts to enhance your browsing efficiency and make common tasks quicker. Here are a few more common ones:
| Command | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New Tab | Ctrl + T |
| New Window | Ctrl + N |
| Open Address or Search in New Background Tab | Alt + Shift + Enter (from address bar) |
You can explore a comprehensive list of shortcuts and learn more about optimizing your Firefox experience by visiting the official Mozilla Support page on keyboard shortcuts.
