How To Always Open Google Chrome in Incognito Mode on Windows [2026 Guide]

I am going to teach you how to always open Google Chrome in incognito mode on Windows. This is incredibly useful if you prefer private browsing from the very first click. With just a few steps, you can open Chrome directly in incognito every single time.

You will use a simple change in the shortcut you already have. The process is quick, and it works every time you launch Chrome from that shortcut. Once set, Chrome will always start in Incognito from that icon.

Always Open Google Chrome in Incognito Mode on Windows [2026 Guide]

Find the Chrome shortcut

Locate your Google Chrome shortcut. You might have it on your desktop or pinned to your taskbar. Go to the one you use most.

Open properties

Right click the Chrome shortcut. Choose Properties. This opens the window that controls how the shortcut launches Chrome.

Read More: Open a private or incognito window in Chrome

Edit the Target

In the Properties window, find the Target field. This tells Windows where Chrome is and how to start it. It usually ends with chrome.exe.

Click at the very end of the Target line, after the closing quotation mark. Add a single space. Then type --incognito.

Your Target should look exactly like this:

"C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --incognito

Make sure there is one space between the closing quote and the two dashes. The two dashes are required.

Read More: Launch Chrome from Command Prompt on Windows

Apply the change

Click Apply. Click OK to close the Properties window. Your shortcut is now set.

What to expect

Every time you use this shortcut, Chrome opens a new incognito window. Your browsing will not be recorded in your history, and cookies are not saved. This is a simple way to add a layer of privacy.

Read More: Open Chrome with a Windows 11 keyboard shortcut

Final thoughts

You have set your Google Chrome shortcut to always start in incognito mode on Windows. The key is adding a space and the --incognito flag at the end of the Target field, then applying the change. This small tweak makes private browsing your default each time you click that shortcut.