Using an Incognito or Private window

This article explains how to use an Incognito or Private window.

We highly recommend using an Incognito, or Private, window to sign on to your REF account or to do any REF work. Even though this is an extra step it will keep your REF work separate from your work, or personal, account which will avoid potential account clashes.

If your institution/organisation blocks the use of incognito/private windows, then please use a separate browser for REF work, as this will help to prevent account clashes.

This article has details of how to open an Incognito or Private window in the following browsers. The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the version of the browser you are using.

• Chrome
• Safari
• Edge
• Firefox

If you use any other type of browser and can’t find how to open a private window, please contact: usersupport@ref.ac.uk.

Chrome

Open a Chrome window Click on the 3 dots, in the top right-hand corner of the window Click on New Incognito window
A new Incognito window will open. You can use this window in the same way as any normal browser window You can tell it’s an Incognito window by the logo in the top right-hand corner of the window

Safari

Open a Safari window Click on File Click on New Private Window
A new Private window will open. You can use this window in the same way as any normal browser window You can tell it’s a Private window by the logo at the top of the window

Edge

Open an Edge window Click on the 3 dots, in the top right-hand corner of the window  Click on New InPrivate window
A new InPrivate window will open. You can use this window in the same way as any normal browser window You can tell it’s an InPrivate window by the logo in the top left-hand corner of the window

Firefox

Open a Firefox window Click on the hamburger menu in the top right-hand corner of the window Click on New private window
A new Private window will open. You can use this window in the same way as any normal browser window You can tell it’s a Private window by the logo in the top right-hand corner of the window

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