Incognito doesn't hide you from everyone. Here's what it protects.

Private windows can limit what your browser saves on your device. They do not turn your internet activity anonymous.

It is easy to assume that a private window leaves no trace anywhere. Chrome describes a narrower purpose: Incognito limits information saved on the device. Websites you visit, and organizations that manage your network—such as a school, employer or internet provider—may still observe your activity.

Chrome removes the record of sites visited and session site data after all Incognito windows are closed. Firefox likewise clears browsing history and cookies when the private session ends, but says private browsing does not make you anonymous to websites, your employer or your internet provider. Microsoft says Edge InPrivate can hide activity from other people using the same device, while a school, workplace or provider may still access activity.

Think of it as less browser history on this device, not invisibility online. If you sign in to a website, that service knows which account is using it. Chrome also keeps files you download and bookmarks you save after an Incognito session. A private window does not erase history already saved in your regular window.

Incognito can help when you share a device and do not want a later user to see the browser session. To end it, close every private window; closing one does not end a session if another remains open. It is not a way to hide personal browsing from a work or school network. Managed devices and networks may have separate monitoring or security tools.

If you want to remove older searches from the device, use the browser’s clear-history controls. That cannot undo information already sent to a website or search service. Be wary of promises that a setting makes you completely anonymous: Chrome Incognito, Firefox Private Browsing and Edge InPrivate are useful local-history features, not a complete anonymity or security system.

The quick test: are you trying to hide a session from the next person using your device, or from the website and network? Private browsing mainly helps with the first.

This summarizes browser guidance. Exact data visibility depends on browser settings, sign-in state, device management and network configuration.

Sources: Google Chrome, browse in Incognito mode; Mozilla Firefox, private browsing; Microsoft Edge, browse InPrivate.