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Megan Ellis \/ Android Authority<\/p>\n
TL;DR<\/p>\n
By default, Chrome downloads a multi-gigabyte file called weights.bin on desktop computers.
\nThis file is the Gemini Nano model that powers on-device AI features.
\nGoogle says it\u2019s rolling out an option to easily delete weights.bin from Chrome settings.<\/p>\n
Earlier today, we wrote about Chrome automatically downloading a large, poorly explained file called weights.bin<\/a> to desktop computers. Gossip is floating around online that the file is some type of virus or spyware, but it\u2019s actually the Gemini Nano model used for on-device AI features in Chrome \u2014 still annoying, maybe, but not nefarious. Now, Google\u2019s provided Android Authority with a statement about the file.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve offered Gemini Nano for Chrome since 2024 as a lightweight, on-device model. It powers important security capabilities like scam detection and developer APIs without sending your data to the cloud,\u201d a Google spokesperson told Android Authority in an email. \u201cWhile this requires some local space on the desktop to run, the model will automatically uninstall if the device is low on resources. In February, we began rolling out the ability for users to easily turn off and remove the model directly in Chrome settings. Once disabled the model will no longer download or update.\u201d<\/p>\n Don\u2019t want to miss the best from Android Authority?<\/p>\n Google\u2019s statement mentions that it\u2019s been rolling out the option to disable Gemini Nano in Chrome since February, and goes on to point to a Chrome Help Center page<\/a> about managing on-device AI models. Per that page\u2019s instructions, you can switch off on-device AI under the System heading in Chrome\u2019s settings.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t currently see that option in Chrome on MacOS. If you\u2019re also missing the easy option to delete Gemini Nano\u2019s model from your desktop computer, we\u2019ve got instructions on how to do it manually on both Mac and PC here<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png\"\/ "\\"google"){kind=icon}
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