Many technical issues can be caused by a number of browser-related settings, add-ons, and configurations. Because OIT's support staff cannot access users' personal devices, it can be difficult for our technicians to diagnose browser-related problems on non-UHCL computers. In the past, one of OIT's "default" recommendations was to have the user "clear their cache." However, because that procedure can also remove important saved user data, we now prefer to have users try using the private browsing feature on their preferred browser to see whether doing so resolves the problem.
What Is Private Browsing?
As discussed in an online article from NortonLifeLock (2020), "Private browsing is a feature that major web browsers offer to help keep your temporary browsing data private. When using a private browser, such as incognito mode, your browsing history, search records, and cookies aren’t retained." Private browsing appears under a variety of names, depending upon your preferred browser:
- Chrome - Incognito Mode/Window
- Edge - InPrivate
- Firefox - Private Browsing
- Safari - Private Window
How you activate a private browsing window depends on which browser you are using. Insider magazine's online article, How to turn on incognito mode on your computer and phone to browse the web privately, explains how to use private browsing in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. If you encounter a technical issue in Blackboard, Zoom, or another cloud-based application, you may want to try using private browsing to see whether it resolves your problem. If it doesn't, please contact the Support Center and let us know that you tried private browsing to no avail. A member of our staff will be happy to assist you with further troubleshooting.
