How to Block AI in Chrome and Firefox with One Script
▼ Summary
– Just The Browser is a free, open-source tool that strips unwanted features like AI and telemetry from Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
– It works by applying configuration files to these browsers, offering a simpler alternative to manually disabling features in settings.
– The author’s testing found it effectively removed core AI functionality, such as Copilot mode in Edge and AI Mode in Chrome.
– However, the tool’s effectiveness varied, as some AI-related elements like the query box on Edge’s New Tab Page remained.
– While excellent at disabling AI, the tool was less thorough at stopping all data collection, as some telemetry options in Chrome remained enabled.
For many users, the modern web browser has become bloated with features they never asked for, from integrated AI assistants to pervasive data collection. Just The Browser is a free, open-source tool designed to strip away these unwanted elements from Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, offering a more streamlined and private browsing experience. It works by applying configuration files that disable specific features, providing a quicker alternative to manually combing through complex browser settings.
My personal preference is for tools that perform their core function without extra clutter. While I occasionally use locally-installed AI for specific tasks, I have no desire for it to be embedded in my web browser, nor do I want companies tracking my activity or pushing sponsored content. Just The Browser promised to remove AI and telemetry, which sounded like an ideal solution to reclaim a focused browsing session.
The tool is straightforward to use. You download a script for your specific browser, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, run it, and follow a few simple prompts. On macOS, you then verify the changes in System Settings under Device Management, where you can see a list of all the features that have been disabled. The process is notably faster than manually hunting for each setting in the browser’s flags or configuration pages.
I tested it first on a clean installation of Microsoft Edge, intentionally enabling Copilot mode beforehand. After running the script, Copilot was successfully removed from the browser’s core functionality. However, I did notice that the new tab page still displayed a Copilot query box and some suggestions, which was a bit disappointing. A check of the `edge://policy/` page confirmed that Just The Browser had indeed disabled a significant number of features, including the AI mode, so I considered the primary goal achieved.
Moving to Chrome on Linux, the process involved different steps, requiring me to create a directory and move a configuration file. The result was more definitive. The AI mode that had previously appeared in the URL bar was completely gone, and I found no trace of AI features anywhere in the browser. This was a clear success for the tool’s primary purpose.
Regarding the claim of stopping telemetry, the results were mixed. In Chrome, options like “Make searches and browsing better” and “Improve search suggestions” remained enabled by default, which do send data to Google. This suggests that while excellent at disabling AI, the tool may not comprehensively block all data collection pathways. Users may still need to manually adjust some privacy settings for complete coverage.
Ultimately, if your main goal is to eliminate built-in AI features and reduce a browser’s footprint, Just The Browser is a highly effective and convenient option. It delivers a noticeably cleaner interface by removing promotional content, suggestions, and AI integrations. For those concerned about privacy, it provides a strong foundation, though pairing it with manual settings adjustments will offer the most robust protection against data collection.
(Source: ZDNET)
