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how do i stop private browsing?

  • 3 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 12 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

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i cant watch Netflix on this laptop, an older used one my friend gave me. It tells me to go to Tools and select 'stop private browsing' but there's no option for that. I've tried different browsers, all say the same.

i cant watch Netflix on this laptop, an older used one my friend gave me. It tells me to go to Tools and select 'stop private browsing' but there's no option for that. I've tried different browsers, all say the same.

All Replies (3)

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Those instructions are out of date: in the old days, Firefox could only be either in regular or private mode, but now you can have regular and private windows at the same time.

When you first install Firefox, it starts up in a regular window and when you open a private window, it has a special icon on the title bar (white mask on a purple background) toward the right end. If you see that on your Netflix window, then you will need to open a regular window using one of these methods:

  • "3-bar" menu button > New Window
  • Ctrl+n
  • Right-click your Taskbar Firefox shortcut > Open new window

It is possible to put Firefox in permanent/automatic private mode. In that case, it is impossible to open a regular window. You can check for that possibility in the Options dialog here:

"3-bar" menu button (or Tools menu) > Options > Privacy

If it is set to "Firefox will: Never remember history" change that to "Firefox will: Use custom settings for history" and then you can uncheck automatic private browsing mode. If you have any work in progress that you can't afford to lose, complete that first before making this change because you need to exit and restart Firefox after unchecking the box.

After checking that, could you update us on whether that makes any difference?

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Thanks so much but none of that worked :(

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Clear the cache and remove cookies only from websites that cause problems.

"Clear the Cache":

  • Firefox/Tools > Options > Advanced > Network > Cached Web Content: "Clear Now"

"Remove Cookies" from sites causing problems:

  • Firefox/Tools > Options > Privacy > "Use custom settings for history" > Cookies: "Show Cookies"

You can inspect and manage permissions for the domain in the currently selected tab via these steps:

  • Click the "Site Identity Button" (globe/padlock) on the location/address bar
  • Click "More Information" to open "Tools > Page Info" with the Security tab selected
  • Go to the Permissions tab (Tools > Page Info > Permissions) to check the permissions for the domain in the currently selected tab