How to Always Start Mozilla Firefox in Private Browsing Mode

If you’re serious about privacy, using Firefox’s Private Browsing mode is a smart move. It prevents your browser from saving history, cookies, or cached files. But clicking that “New Private Window” every time gets old. Here’s how to make Firefox always launch in Private Browsing mode automatically—no extra steps.

Why Use Private Browsing Mode?

Private Browsing is useful if:

• You don’t want your browsing history saved.
• You’re using a shared or public computer.
• You want to limit tracking by cookies or scripts.

Just know that Private Mode doesn’t make you anonymous online—it only hides your activity from others on your device.

How to Set Firefox to Always Use Private Browsing

Step 1: Open Firefox Settings

1. Launch Firefox.
2. Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings.

Step 2: Enable Private Browsing by Default

1. In the Privacy & Security section, scroll down to the History subsection.
2. Find the drop-down next to “Firefox will” and select Use custom settings for history.
3. Check the box that says Always use private browsing mode.
4. Firefox will prompt you to restart. Click Restart Firefox now.

That’s it. From now on, every time you open Firefox, it will start in Private Browsing mode automatically.

How to Tell You’re in Private Mode

When Firefox is in Private Browsing mode:

• The window has a purple mask icon.
• There’s no browsing history saved.
• Tabs don’t store cookies or site data after you close them.

Want to Go Back?

Just reverse the steps:

• Uncheck Always use private browsing mode in Settings.
• Restart Firefox.

Final Tip: Use Extensions for Extra Privacy

Private mode helps, but for stronger privacy, consider using these Firefox add-ons:

• uBlock Origin – blocks ads and trackers.
• HTTPS Everywhere – forces secure connections.
• Privacy Badger – learns and blocks hidden trackers.

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Conclusion

If you’re tired of manually opening a private window each time, setting Firefox to always start in Private Browsing mode is a quick fix. It’s easy to set up and helps keep your local activity off the record. Just remember—it’s private, not invisible.