# Google Chrome "silently" downloads and installs a 4GB on-device AI model to PCs.

*genai · news · 2026-05-08 · Windows Central*

## Key points

- Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge now download a 4GB local AI model by default without explicit consent.
- A new Windows 11 Registry policy, GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings, allows users to block these downloads.
- Disabling the AI model using this policy will also remove any previously downloaded models from your computer.
- The Registry policy supports dynamic refresh, so administrators can apply changes without restarting browsers.
- This local AI model control feature is supported on macOS, Google Chrome 147+, and Edge 132+, but not on iOS.

**Companies:** Google, Microsoft
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Windows Central](https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/windows-11/windows-11-can-block-google-chromes-4gb-ai-model-from-reinstalling-itself-on-your-pc)

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Canonical: https://newsio.io/n/010289e9-9df0-405d-9643-e5a42d38561a/google-chrome-silently-downloads-and-installs-a-4gb-on-device-ai-model-to-pcs-go
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