How to Open Incognito Tab in Opera GX
Quick Answer
To learn how to open incognito tab in Opera GX (referred to as a Private Window), click the red Opera logo in the top-left corner and select **New private window**. You can also use the keyboard shortcut **Ctrl+Shift+N** (on Windows) or **Cmd+Shift+N** (on macOS) to open a private session.
What Is Private Browsing in Opera GX?
Private Browsing (often called incognito mode) in the Opera GX browser creates a temporary sandboxed session. While active, the browser isolates your session from existing database profiles.
Once you close all open private windows, Opera GX deletes all history, search queries, cookies, and form entries. This prevents other users of your PC from seeing your browsing history.
Steps to Launch a New Private Window
There are three ways to launch **how to go incognito on opera gx** commands:
- Menu Route: Click the red 'O' icon in the top-left corner, and select **New private window** from the dropdown list.
- Keyboard Shortcut: Press **Ctrl+Shift+N** (Windows) or **Cmd+Shift+N** (macOS) to open a private tab instantly.
- Desktop Shortcut: Right-click the Opera GX icon pinned to your Windows taskbar, and select **New private window** from the context menu.
Privacy Analysis: What Incognito Mode Does Not Hide
While incognito tabs are great for local privacy, they do not make you invisible online. Your internet service provider (ISP), network administrators at school or work, and websites you visit (like Google or Facebook) can still track your IP address and online activity.
To add network privacy while in incognito mode, click the **VPN** icon at the left of the private address bar to activate Opera's built-in encryption. This masks your IP address.
Data Matrix & Comparison
| Data Record Category | Normal Session Mode | Private Session Mode (Incognito) |
|---|---|---|
| Local Browsing History | Stored permanently in system files | Deleted immediately upon closing window |
| Search Bar Queries | Logged for autocompletion suggestions | Deleted immediately |
| Website Cookies & Cache | Stored locally to speed up future visits | Cleared automatically when session ends |
| File Downloads History | Saved in browser downloads list | History cleared, but files remain on hard drive |
| Auto-fill Form Data | Saves passwords and search inputs | Never logged or auto-filled |
| Network IP Address | Visible to ISP and websites (unless VPN active) | Visible to ISP (activate built-in VPN to hide) |