<![CDATA[An article has been published[1] explaining how to prevent #Chrome from downloading the #Gemini Nano model on #Windows via a Registry change.]]>An article has been published[1] explaining how to prevent from downloading the Nano model on via a Registry change. But it seems to me that such a method is only effective for as long as Google respects that policy in the Registry, doesn't change its name/path, etc.

Instead, has anybody tried creating an empty weights.bin file in the relevant location[2], and then removing all permissions from that file so that Chrome can't read, write, replace, or do anything else with it?

[1] https://pureinfotech.com/stop-chrome-gemini-nano-download-windows-11/

[2] %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\OptGuideOnDeviceModel

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/topic/be3ff108-dabb-45c1-a127-1fac4cf32dc9/an-article-has-been-published-1-explaining-how-to-prevent-chrome-from-downloading-the-gemini-nano-model-on-windows-via-a-registry-change.RSS for NodeThu, 14 May 2026 21:39:03 GMTThu, 07 May 2026 15:49:57 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to An article has been published[1] explaining how to prevent #Chrome from downloading the #Gemini Nano model on #Windows via a Registry change. on Thu, 07 May 2026 15:55:56 GMT]]>So, probably do the Registry thing as well.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://dragonscave.space/users/jscholes/statuses/116534106933022199https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://dragonscave.space/users/jscholes/statuses/116534106933022199Thu, 07 May 2026 15:55:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to An article has been published[1] explaining how to prevent #Chrome from downloading the #Gemini Nano model on #Windows via a Registry change. on Thu, 07 May 2026 15:55:37 GMT]]>I just did this on my own machine which hadn't received the unwanted download yet. I also revoked all permissions on the "OptGuideOnDeviceModel" folder, preventing its contents from even being enumerated.

That said: as Chrome hadn't downloaded the file in the first place, it's impossible to tell whether this is a sound solution or not. The continued absence of the model file isn't really evidence.

And, Google could just change where they store it anyway.

]]>https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://dragonscave.space/users/jscholes/statuses/116534105714997766https://board.circlewithadot.net/post/https://dragonscave.space/users/jscholes/statuses/116534105714997766Thu, 07 May 2026 15:55:37 GMT