[Tip] Allow Extensions in Private or Incognito Windows in Web Browsers

SUMMARY: This tutorial will help you in enabling and using extensions (add-ons) in Private Browsing windows (also known as Incognito or InPrivate mode) in popular web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera and Microsoft Edge.

We all install extensions (add-ons) in our favorite web browser to add extra functionality, new features or disable unnecessary stuff. Extensions are used to customize web browsers according to our requirements. If we like a feature in some other web browser, we can bring the feature to our favorite browser by installing extensions. Similarly if we don’t like a feature in our browser, we can disable or remove it with the help of extensions. So extensions or add-ons are an essential part of all web browsers.

You might have noticed that when you launch a private or incognito window in your browser, all extensions stop working or running in private browsing mode. Private browsing is a very useful feature of all web browsers which allows users to browse websites without leaving any traces in the computer they are using. When you open your web browser in private browsing mode, it doesn’t store the websites you visit, files you download, forms you fill, your searches, etc. Its very useful when you are using a public computer.

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Private browsing is also known as Incognito mode and InPrivate browsing mode.

Related: [Tip] How to Always Start Your Web Browser in Private Browsing Mode

All web browsers by default don’t allow extensions to run in private or incognito windows to prevent saving your browsing history and recording your online activities.

Sometimes you may want to allow one or more extensions to run in private browsing mode. Fortunately all web browsers provide options to enable extensions in private windows.

If you also want to allow extensions to run in private browsing windows in your web browser, this tutorial will help you:

Allow Extensions to Run in Private Windows in Mozilla Firefox:

If you are using Mozilla Firefox web browser and you want to allow an extension to run in private windows, following steps will help you:

1. Open Mozilla Firefox, click on main Firefox menu (Hamburger menu) and select “Add-ons” option. It’ll open Add-ons Manager page. Alternatively, you can directly open it using Ctrl+Shift+A hotkey or using about:addons URL in address bar.

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2. Now under Extensions tab, click on the extension which you want to allow in private windows. It’ll open extension’s options or details page.

3. Now set the option “Run in Private Windows” to Allow.

Allow_Extension_Private_Windows_Mozilla_Firefox.png

That’s it. Now the extension will run in private windows.

You can follow the same method to allow more extensions to run in private windows.

In future, if you want to disallow or restrict the extension to run in private windows, set the option “Run in Private Windows” to Don’t Allow in extension’s details/options page.

Allow Extensions to Run in Incognito Windows in Google Chrome:

If you are using Google Chrome web browser and you want to allow an extension to run in Incognito windows, following steps will help you:

1. Open Google Chrome, click on 3-dots menu and select “More tools -> Extensions” option. It’ll open Extensions page. Alternatively, you can directly open it using chrome://extensions URL in address bar.

2. Now click on Details button of the extension which you want to allow to run in Incognito windows. It’ll open extension’s options or details page.

3. Now set “Allow in incognito” toggle option to ON i.e. enabled.

Allow_Extension_Incognito_Windows_Google_Chrome.png

That’s it. Now the extension will run in Incognito windows.

You can follow the same method to allow more extensions to run in Incognito windows.

In future, if you want to disallow or prevent the extension to run in Incognito windows, set the option “Allow in incognito” to OFF in extension’s details/options page.

Allow Extensions to Run in Incognito Windows in Opera:

If you are using Opera web browser and you want to allow an extension to run in Incognito windows, following steps will help you:

1. Open Opera, click on Menu button and select “Extensions -> Extensions” option. It’ll open Extensions page. Alternatively, you can directly open it using Ctrl+Shift+E hotkey or using opera://extensions URL in address bar.

2. Now enable “Allow in incognito” checkbox for the extension which you want to allow in Incognito windows.

Allow_Extension_Incognito_Windows_Opera.png

If you can’t find the checkbox, click on Details button of the extension which you want to allow to run in Incognito windows. It’ll open extension’s options or details page.

3. Now set “Allow in incognito” toggle option to ON i.e. enabled.

Allow_Extension_Private_Windows_Opera.png

That’s it. Now the extension will run in Incognito windows.

You can follow the same method to allow more extensions to run in Incognito windows.

In future, if you want to disallow or block the extension to run in Incognito windows, set the option “Allow in incognito” to OFF in extension’s details/options page.

Allow Extensions to Run in InPrivate Windows in Microsoft Edge:

If you are using Microsoft Edge web browser and you want to allow an extension to run in InPrivate windows, following steps will help you:

1. Open Microsoft Edge, click on 3-dots menu and select “Extensions” option. It’ll open Extensions page. Alternatively, you can directly open it using edge://extensions URL in address bar.

2. Now click on Details button of the extension which you want to allow to run in InPrivate windows. It’ll open extension’s options or details page.

3. Now enable “Allow in InPrivate” option.

Allow_Extension_InPrivate_Windows_Microsoft_Edge.png

That’s it. Now the extension will run in InPrivate windows.

You can follow the same method to allow more extensions to run in InPrivate windows.

In future, if you want to disallow or restrict the extension to run in InPrivate windows, disable the option “Allow in InPrivate” in extension’s details/options page.

Published in: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Opera

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

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