🚨 Chrome Secretly Downloaded a 5GB AI Model to Yo
Delete Gemini Nano, stop Chrome & Edge from auto-downloading AI models, and reclaim your storage space today.
*Deletion Steps:*
*1. Manually delete the downloaded model files*
`C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\OptGuideOnDeviceModel\`
*2. Disable the local AI feature in Chrome*
Even if you delete the files, Chrome will automatically re-download them if the feature is not disabled.
In the Chrome address bar, enter `chrome://flags` and press Enter.
In the search box, type `Enables optimization guide on device`.
Change the corresponding setting from `Default` or `Enabled` to `Disabled`.
Click the `Relaunch` button in the bottom right corner to restart the browser.
---
*How to prevent Chrome from automatically downloading again?*
Open the Chrome address bar:
`chrome://flags`
Search for:
`Gemini Nano`
`On-device AI`
`Enables optimization guide on device`
Set all of them to **`Disabled`**.
Pay special attention to *`#Enables optimization guide on device`* — it is best to disable this one as well, otherwise the browser may re-download the models later.
---
*Windows Users: Method to completely block downloads (Recommended)*
Windows users can disable this feature directly via the Registry.
Open CMD as Administrator:
*Disable on-device AI for Chrome*
```cmd
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v "GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
```
*Disable on-device AI for Edge*
```cmd
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v "GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
```
How to delete Chrome's local AI models on Mac?
First:
Completely quit Chrome.
1. pkill Chrome
Then delete the model:
2. rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Google/Chrome/optimization_guide_model_store
It is also recommended to delete the following as well:
3. rm -rf ~/Library/Application\ Support/Google/Chrome/OnDeviceHeadSuggestModel
How to prevent Chrome from automatically downloading again?
Open the Chrome address bar:
chrome://flags
Search for:
Gemini Nano
On-device AI
Enables optimization guide on device
Set all of them to Disabled.
Pay special attention to #Enables optimization guide on device — it is best to disable this one as well, otherwise the browser may re-download the models later.
macOS:
chmod 444 weights.bin && chflags uchg weights.bin
Linux:
chmod 444 weights.bin && sudo chattr +i weights.bin