A private (or “incognito”) window is a special browser mode that doesn’t save history, cookies, or cached files once you close it. It’s one of the fastest ways to check whether a problem with a chapter site is caused by something stored in your browser — like an old login session or stale cached page — since it starts every visit with a clean slate.
Why use one:
- To see a page the way a first-time visitor would, without any of your saved logins, cookies, or cache getting in the way.
- To quickly test whether a display issue is caused by your browser rather than the website itself.
- To sign in as a different user without logging out of your main session.
Keep in mind:
- Private windows don’t save history or cookies after you close them, but they don’t hide your activity from your employer, school, or internet provider.
- Any bookmarks or downloads you make in a private window are usually kept — only history, cookies, and cache are discarded.
- Extensions are often disabled by default in private windows unless you’ve allowed them to run there.
Find your browser below.
Google Chrome
- Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
- Select New Incognito Window.
Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac).
Mozilla Firefox
- Click the menu button (☰, three lines) in the top-right corner.
- Select New Private Window.
Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac).
Safari (Mac)
- Click File in the top menu bar.
- Select New Private Window.
Shortcut: Press Cmd+Shift+N.
Tip: In a private window, Safari’s address bar turns dark/gray so you can tell at a glance that you’re in private mode.
Brave
- Click the menu icon (☰ or ⋮) in the top-right corner.
- Select New Private Window.
Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac).
Note: Brave also offers New Private Window with Tor, which further masks your location — this isn’t necessary for everyday chapter website troubleshooting.
Microsoft Edge
- Click the three-dot menu (⋯) in the top-right corner.
- Select New InPrivate Window.
Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac).
Island
Island is a Chromium-based enterprise browser, so its steps look similar to Chrome’s:
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of Island.
- Select New Incognito Window.
Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac).
Note: Some organizations configure Island to restrict or disable incognito mode. If the option is missing, check with your IT department.
Comet
Comet is Perplexity’s Chromium-based browser, so its steps also mirror Chrome’s:
- Click the menu icon in the top-right corner.
- Select New Incognito Window.
Shortcut: Press Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac).
Still having issues in a private window?
- A private window rules out browser cache and cookies as the cause — if the problem still shows up there, it’s likely on the site itself rather than your browser.
- If you were trying to test how a page looks to someone not logged in, make sure you didn’t accidentally stay signed in — private windows should show you a logged-out view unless you sign in again inside that window.
- If the problem persists in a private window, submit a support request so we can take a closer look.