Erratic behavior when using -private argument to start Firefox (Firefox ESR 38.2.1)
Firefox ESR 38.2.1
a. Added -private switch to the desktop shortcut. b. Opens Firefox in private browsing.
For this -private switch to work: 1. If I start the firefox -private process and if regular firefox is also running,
a. firefox -private does not work, instead opens a regular firefox window. b. Clicking on "Private Browsing" does nothing in both firefox process(es) that are running now.
2. When -private is used to launch firefox (via a desktop shortcut). This weird/erratic behavior is not seen when using the "Private Browsing" function from within Firefox.
a. The private browsing indicator (the purple/violet) icon does not show up. b. When you launch new tabs/windows from this firefox window (started with the -private switch) do NOT open as private tabs, they open as regular tabs and remember history etc...
Ultimately, I am looking for a desktop shortcut that will launch Firefox in Private Browsing and any tabs/windows launched from that window to remain as Private.
Folks - Any solutions/suggestions please?
All Replies (4)
Firefox needs to be completely closed in order for the command line switch -private to work OR you must already be running in the Private Browsing mode. Should matter if the "mask" is showing or you're in the "permanent" Private Browsing mode as set with "Always use ..." in Options > Privacy --> History. If Firefox isn't completely closed (IOW - gone from the Task Manager), it will just open another window which is not in the Private Browsing mode.
You would need a 2nd Profile to have Firefox have a window or windows in normal browsing mode AND in Private browsing mode at the same time. That would provide for 2 separate, independent Firefox processes.
You can only open one Firefox window.
You can use an extension to get Private Browsing mode support per tab.
- Private Tab: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/private-tab/
- Private Browsing mode tabs get a dashed underline
- You can toggle Private Browsing mode on/off via the right-click context menu of a tab
Modified by cor-el
the-edmeister said
Firefox needs to be completely closed in order for the command line switch -private to work OR you must already be running in the Private Browsing mode. Should matter if the "mask" is showing or you're in the "permanent" Private Browsing mode as set with "Always use ..." in Options > Privacy --> History. If Firefox isn't completely closed (IOW - gone from the Task Manager), it will just open another window which is not in the Private Browsing mode. You would need a 2nd Profile to have Firefox have a window or windows in normal browsing mode AND in Private browsing mode at the same time. That would provide for 2 separate, independent Firefox processes.
Thanks for your reply!
What I am looking for is a shortcut to launch firefox in "Private Browsing" mode.
Default Behavior: 1. When you launch Firefox, you do a Ctrl + Shift + P => You get a private browsing (PB) window. 2. Any new tab opened from within this PB window, is a private browsing tab with the purple/violet mask (next to the minimize button) 3. If you want another PB window, we can do a Ctrl + Shift + P and get another PB window. 4. You can have both Normal Firefox windows, PB windows in this way.
However this behavior is not replicated when starting Firefox with a -private switch. 1. You get only one PB tab. You cannot open any more PB tabs. 2. The Ctrl + Shift + P shortcut does not open any more PB windows. 3. You can have 1 PB tab and as many Normal tabs/windows.
Why this restriction when starting Firefox with the -private argument?
cor-el said
You can only open one Firefox window. You can use an extension to get Private Browsing mode support per tab.
- Private Tab: https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/private-tab/
- Private Browsing mode tabs get a dashed underline
- You can toggle Private Browsing mode on/off via the right-click context menu of a tab
Thanks for your reply.
That link mentions
-private Opens Firefox in permanent private browsing mode. Firefox 3.6 and later only.
Sorry, I do not see where that link mentions -private will only open one window.
My question is why the different behavior when launching Firefox with -private switch?
By different behavior, I mean when we launch Firefox normally and then switch to Private Browsing (via Ctrl + Shift + P) 1. You get to retain both Normal & Private windows. 2. Have as many tabs on either windows as you like.