Open a private browser window, then go to the website you want to test and sign in again. Different browsers use different names for private browsing: Incognito in Chrome, Private Browsing in Safari, Private Window in Firefox, and InPrivate in Edge.
Quick Paths
| 🖥️ Computer | Browser | Click path | Keyboard shortcut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac | Google Chrome | Chrome menu ⋮ → New Incognito window | Command + Shift + N |
| Mac | Safari | File → New Private Window | Command + Shift + N |
| Mac | Mozilla Firefox | Firefox menu ☰ → New private window | Command + Shift + P |
| PC / Windows | Microsoft Edge | Settings and more ⋯ → New InPrivate window | Ctrl + Shift + N |
| PC / Windows | Google Chrome | Chrome menu ⋮ → New Incognito window | Ctrl + Shift + N |
| PC / Windows | Mozilla Firefox | Firefox menu ☰ → New private window | Ctrl + Shift + P |
Mac
Google Chrome — Incognito
- Open Google Chrome.
- Select the three-dot menu (⋮).
- Select New Incognito window.
- Use the new Incognito window to open the website you need to test.
Shortcut: Command + Shift + N
Chrome displays the Incognito symbol in the private window.
Safari — Private Browsing
- Open Safari.
- From the menu bar at the top of the screen, select File.
- Select New Private Window.
- Use the new Private Browsing window to open the website you need to test.
Shortcut: Command + Shift + N
Apple identifies a Private Browsing window with a dark Smart Search field and light text.
Mozilla Firefox — Private Window
- Open Firefox.
- Select the menu button (☰).
- Select New private window.
- Use the new Private Window to open the website you need to test.
Shortcut: Command + Shift + P
Firefox normally shows a purple private-browsing indicator. If Firefox is configured to always use Private Browsing, the indicator may look different.
PC / Windows
Microsoft Edge — InPrivate
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Select Settings and more (⋯).
- Select New InPrivate window.
- Use the new InPrivate window to open the website you need to test.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + N
Google Chrome — Incognito
- Open Google Chrome.
- Select the three-dot menu (⋮).
- Select New Incognito window.
- Use the new Incognito window to open the website you need to test.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + N
Chrome displays the Incognito symbol in the private window.
Mozilla Firefox — Private Window
- Open Firefox.
- Select the menu button (☰).
- Select New private window.
- Use the new Private Window to open the website you need to test.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + P
Firefox normally shows a purple private-browsing indicator. If Firefox is configured to always use Private Browsing, the indicator may look different.
If You Are Testing SIRAS
- Open the private browser window using the instructions above.
- Go to your normal SIRAS base website. Do not copy a session-specific SIRAS address from another open browser tab.
- Sign in to SIRAS again.
- Repeat the specific action or problem you were asked to test.
- Report whether the problem happens in the private window, the regular browser window, or both.
If the issue does not occur in the private window, tell the person helping you. That difference can help narrow the problem to browser-session data, cookies, saved sign-in state, extensions, or another browser-specific setting. It does not by itself identify the exact cause.
For SIRAS website addresses and login guidance, see Logging In to SIRAS: Production, Training, and First-Time Setup.
When You Are Finished
Close all private, Incognito, or InPrivate windows when the test is complete. Files you intentionally downloaded may remain on the computer even after the private window is closed.
It mainly limits what the browser keeps on the device after the private session ends. Your school or workplace, internet provider, and websites may still be able to see activity. On a district-managed device, private browsing may also be restricted by organization policy.
