You Can Now Block Automatic AI Model Downloads in Edge and Chrome

Google Chrome recently came under scrutiny after reports revealed that the browser can automatically download local AI models that take up around 4GB of storage. While Microsoft Edge supports similar on-device AI features, Microsoft gives users and administrators more control over how those models get handled.

As Neowin reports, both browsers now support a policy called GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings, which controls whether AI models can download and run locally for on-device inferencing.

Edge and Chrome now share the same AI model policy

The policy works across both Chromium-based browsers and allows administrators to either permit or completely block local AI model downloads.

When enabled, browsers can download and use AI models for local inferencing features. When disabled, the browser prevents future downloads and even removes previously downloaded AI models from the system.

The policy supports dynamic refresh, meaning changes apply instantly without requiring a browser restart.

How the policy works

The policy uses two simple values. A value of 0 allows the browser to download and use local AI models, while 1 blocks downloads entirely and removes existing models from the device.

For Microsoft Edge, the registry path is:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge

For Google Chrome, the registry path is:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome

The required DWORD value is:

GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings

Command Prompt commands to disable AI model downloads

Administrators can disable the feature directly from Command Prompt.

For Microsoft Edge:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge" /v "GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

For Google Chrome:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome" /v "GenAILocalFoundationalModelSettings" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Chrome handles downloads more aggressively

One major difference involves default behavior.

Chrome 147 and newer versions automatically download local AI models if the policy remains unconfigured. This behavior raised concerns recently after users discovered large hidden AI model downloads consuming several gigabytes of storage.

Edge currently does not behave the same way by default. Microsoft includes the AI model infrastructure, but the browser does not aggressively auto-download the models in the background.

Platform support details

Microsoft says the policy works on Windows 11 and macOS starting with Edge 132. Android support arrives with Edge 147 and newer versions, while iOS currently does not support the feature. Google Chrome also supports the same policy beginning with version 147.

On-device AI processing continues expanding across browsers as companies push local AI features for writing assistance, summarization, and smart search tools.

However, automatically downloading multi-gigabyte AI models without clear user consent continues raising privacy and storage concerns, especially for users with smaller SSDs or limited bandwidth connections.

Microsoft’s approach currently gives enterprise admins and advanced users more direct control through policy settings before those downloads occur.

In other Chrome news, Google recently redesigned parts of the browser’s settings page in Canary builds, while another Chrome promotional page appeared to take indirect shots at Microsoft Copilot.