I use the Beta version. How do I discern the private window from the normal window. They are identical.
I still operate with Windows XP and I'm using the Beta version 29.0 of Firefox. I typically use the normal browsing window, but occasionally will open a private window. In the past, before I switched to the Beta Version of Firefox, a little mask icon would appear on the new window indicating it is in private mode. Now when I open a window in private mode nothing appears to indicate that fact. The window is identical to the normal browsing window. 1)Could it be that my browser is glitching and just opening a regular window and not a private window? 2)If it is a glitch how do I fix it and if it's not how do I ensure the browser I'm using IS in private mode if their is no indicator?
Chosen solution
I'm on Linux and see the purple Private Browsing mode icon on the Tab bar in a new private window, so I assume that it should still be there on Windows as well.
Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.
- Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
- Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Safe+Mode
- https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Troubleshooting+extensions+and+themes
All Replies (6)
Firefox 29 has gone to final release, so you may want to switch now to get the full set of bug fixes.
https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/
Private windows should have a little purple tab with a mask on the title bar, in the upper right next to the minimize/maximize/close buttons.
You can use an extension to get Private Browsing mode support per tab.
- You can toggle Private Browsing mode off/on via the right-click context menu of a tab
- Private Browsing mode tabs get a dashed underlining
Thanks for the reply Jscher2000, My browser updated itself to the 30.0 Beta version and I still don't get the purple mask in the right hand corner when I attempt to open a private window. As I mentioned, I used the regular Firefox browser prior to updating it to the Beta version. The regular Firefox browser showed the purple mask when a private window was open. It wasn't until I updated it to the Beta version that the trouble started. If the glitch can't be fixed without having to download the extension that cor-el mentioned, I may just delete the Beta version and go back to the regular version of Firefox.
To switch from the beta to the release, you do not need to uninstall or delete. Please be aware that they share the same personal data folder, i.e., bookmarks, saved passwords, etc., so if you do choose to uninstall beta, you should not remove your personal data.
Chosen Solution
I'm on Linux and see the purple Private Browsing mode icon on the Tab bar in a new private window, so I assume that it should still be there on Windows as well.
Start Firefox in Safe Mode to check if one of the extensions (Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Extensions) or if hardware acceleration is causing the problem.
- Switch to the DEFAULT theme: Firefox/Tools > Add-ons > Appearance
- Do NOT click the Reset button on the Safe Mode start window
That did it cor-el! I actually didn't have to go into safe mode. I just re-set Firefox to its factory settings on the Troubleshooting page. When I clicked on the safe mode link you provided there was a note about re-setting Firefox. I haven't customized Firefox extensively so going back to factory settings wasn't much of an issue. Thanks guys!