How to Turn Off Recent Searches

Many web browsers keep a record of your search terms.

Your web browser will likely keep a record of all your previous web searches as part of its form-data-collection function. Unless this option is disabled, when you start to type in a search engine your browser will make suggestions based on recent searches. Most major web-browser software will have a private browsing facility which temporarily suspends your browser's form-data collection. Turning on private browsing is a simple task that should only take a few seconds.

Instructions

Activating Private Browsing in Firefox

1. Start Firefox and wait for the homepage to load.

2. Click the "Tools" menu from the toolbar.

3. Select "Clear Recent History" then click "Firefox" again.

4. Click "Start Private Browsing." Click "OK" to the warning. Firefox will not keep any history or search records until you deactivate private browsing by repeating steps 1, 2 and 3.

Activating Private Browsing in Safari

1. Start Safari and wait for the homepage to load.

2. Click "Safari" from the toolbar.

3. Select "Empty Cache," then click "Safari" again.

4. Select "Private Browsing.." and "OK" to the warning. Safari will no longer keep a record of searches or web history when private browsing is active. Repeat steps 1, 2 and 4 to return to normal browsing.

Activating Private Browsing in Internet Explorer

1. Start Internet Explorer and wait for the homepage to load.

2. Click "Tools" from the toolbar.

3. Select "InPrivate Browsing" from the menu. Internet Explorer will not collect form data or search history while InPrivate browsing is active. Deactivate by following steps 1 and 2 again.

References

• Firefox: Private Browsing
• Safari: Turn On Private Browsing
• Butterscotch: Private browsing in Internet Explorer 8