Chrome Is Silently d/l AI onto your PC

[Dude111]

www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2026/05/google-chromes-silent-4gb-ai-download-problem?utm_source=iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_c ampaign=b2c_pro_oth_20260511_mayweeklynewsletter_u s_v2_1_177827061769&utm_content=Chrome_logo

Google Chrome has been quietly downloading a 4GB AI model onto users devices without asking first.

(It) has been silently installing Gemini Nano, Googles on-device AI model, as a file called weights.bin stored in the OptGuideOnDeviceModel directory within users Chrome profiles. This 4GB download happens automatically when Chrome determines your device meets the hardware requirements. It does not ask for consent, and sends no notification,not even one of those annoying cookie banners you've learned to dismiss without reading.

Note 4GB

For many they may not notice,but those with limits,it will cost you money.

Also no notice about forcing this on people who dont want it,and if you get that mess off of your PC,during the next "windows update" will reinstall it again.

How to get rid of it:

1) Dont use the Chrome browser/Chromium browser.

2) Stop using Windows.

3) You dont want to stop using the Chrome/Chromium browser,click the link above and it will give you instructions. (The best instructions are in the comments.)

I am getting really tired of these companies forcing things on to our PCs or peoples phones.

[Jaymoss]

Saw this a week or so back but most IT guys who know use Brave now anyway

you do not need to worry your systems will never run AI

---------- Post added at 06:50 ---------- Previous post was at 06:42 ----------

Just run a search and madly enough that folder has been on my PC unnoticed since 17th August 2025 so they took their time finding that haha

---------- Post added at 06:59 ---------- Previous post was at 06:50 ----------

also on top of all that I actually really like AI to a point. I do not like all the fake news content and deep fake videos so now you do not know what it true and not so just anything I do not see now I do not believe which is bad but for creativity and as a knowledge base it is a hell of a lot better than Wiki haha

[Carth]

How many 'Chrome' folders are there?

I only found one . . not changed/altered/accessed since 2022

The existance of a Chrome folder doesnt mean you have Chrome installed.

Its a name used by other browsers, for example, Firefox profiles normally have a chrome folder.

[Dude111]

Originally Posted by Jaymoss

you do not need to worry...

Thank you Jay I know..I just care about others and trying to help everyone avoid this if possible...

[Carth]

Originally Posted by Paul

The existance of a Chrome folder doesnt mean you have Chrome installed.

Its a name used by other browsers, for example, Firefox profiles normally have a chrome folder.

aah that probably explains it then, cheers Paul