Can’t the browser be just the browser? A new tool will adjust Chrome, Firefox, and Edge configurations, removing AI features, telemetry data reporting, sponsored content, product integrations, and other annoyances.
Corbin Davenport, a tech writer, software developer, and podcaster, released a tool to help users escape browser AI harassment.
Called “Just the Browser,” the script eliminates most AI features, shopping integrations, sponsored and third-party content, unwanted pop-ups and prompts, data collection, and more.
“Chrome gives you coupon codes while shopping. Microsoft Edge fills the New Tab page with clickbait garbage articles from MSN, and previously tried to sell you loans. The generative AI era has made this even worse. Google’s Gemini AI is now everywhere in Chrome,” Corbin explained in his blog post.
“The goal is to give you ‘just the browser’ and nothing else, using hidden settings in web browsers intended for companies and other organizations.”
The installation requires a terminal, and the guides for each browser are available on the justthebrowser.com website or GitHub.
The tool uses a clever approach to clean up the browsing experience without adding any plug-ins, modifying the web browser, applications, or executable files. It edits group policy configurations, generally used by IT admins to lock down certain features on work or school computers.
This way, the tool allows users to keep using mainstream, well-supported web browsers rather than niche forks.
Firefox itself promised to add an AI “kill switch” after a public outcry over its announcement that Firefox “will evolve into a modern AI browser,” adding a range of new built-in tools.
Davenport explains that this setting is already present and can be enabled, but hidden from the user’s view.
Just the Browser can be used to prune browsers on Windows, Linux, and macOS. According to the author, the browser guides explain each setting, and the configurations can be added, modified, or removed. The tool, however, won’t yet help users of mobile devices.
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The developer also notes that Edge and Firefox users might see messages displayed like “Your browser is being managed by your organization” to explain why some settings are disabled.
AI feature creep in software has previously prompted software developers to create a PowerShell script to remove unpopular AI features from Windows.
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