Windows 11 adds Registry setting to block Chrome and Edge AI downloads
Updated
Updated · Windows Central · May 8
Windows 11 adds Registry setting to block Chrome and Edge AI downloads
8 articles · Updated · Windows Central · May 8
The GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings policy lets Windows 11 Pro users and administrators stop or remove 4GB local models in Google Chrome 147+ and Microsoft Edge 132+.
It supports dynamic refresh through Group Policy, Registry or enterprise tools, so changes can apply without restarting browsers and can curb unwanted storage and bandwidth use.
The move follows backlash after both browsers silently fetched on-device AI models; Google said Gemini Nano supports privacy-preserving scam detection and developer features without sending data to the cloud.
Is the silent 4GB AI download in Chrome a bold privacy feature or a massive breach of user trust?
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