Your browser is full of AI bloat, here's how to reclaim it

One of the most frustrating aspects of modern software is the lack of choice. Yes, there are more apps than ever, but if you want everything to work and sync up as it should, you'll run into problems.

If you use Android, you know it's tough to avoid Google's apps, since the benefits are massive.

Stick with them, and you'll have no problem accessing your files, passwords, search history, and emails from any device. However, enshittification has turned using many of these apps into a hostage situation.

I would love to ditch all my Google apps, but the disruption it would cause to my daily life is so immense that I've been reluctant to switch.

Browsers are the classic example of how enshittification is affecting our digital lives.

As part of Google and Microsoft's push to get us to adopt their AI tools, they integrate them into as many products as they can.

You may have noticed more Gemini and Copilot features popping up in Chrome and Edge, respectively, as a result of this strategy.

However, what you may not know is that it's not only easy to disable most of these features, but the tools to do so are built into the browser.

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By  Irene Okpanachi

How Just the Browser works to remove AI features and other annoyances from your browser

It's a script that adjusts your browser's policies

At first glance, Just the Browser looks like an advanced program designed to tear open your browser and pull out all the junk that you hate.

It removes AI features, telemetry data reporting, sponsored content, and product integrations, giving you "just the browser" as you want it.

However, the reality is far more straightforward.

Built into your browser are hidden settings called policies. You can check them by heading to chrome://policy/ for Chrome, edge://policy/ for Edge, and about:policies for Firefox.

These policies are intended for use by IT departments that need tighter control over what features their company's employees can access.

After all, if you don't want your employees using AI, then sticking a big "AI Mode" button at the top of your browser isn't the way to go.

These policies also cover sponsored site links, data reporting, and other notifications.

They're not universal across all browsers; Microsoft Edge has significantly more junk than Google Chrome, for example. However, disabling them results in a cleaner, faster, and less bloated browser.

Just the Browser toggles some of these policies off. That's it. You don't need to worry about keeping it updated or future Chrome updates disabling the tool.

Unless a Chrome update removes or renames the policies Just the Browser affects, it will continue to work across updates.

Installing Just the Browser takes seconds

All you need to do is run a program and restart your browser

You can toggle off the policies manually, but this tool makes it easy by doing all the work for you. Simply download the script, run it, and you're done!

There's a guide to running the script manually and a list of all the policies it affects.

It will apply the settings after you restart your browser. It's fairly straightforward, but you may find, like I do, that you need to run it as an administrator to take effect.

I tested Just the Browser with Chrome, as it's the browser I use 99% of the time. However, I also tried it with Microsoft Edge, and it's genuinely got me thinking about switching to Edge.

I hate how Microsoft crams its browser with bloat like rewards points and a Copilot assistant that's somehow even more annoying than Gemini.

Just the Browser stripped most of the junk away, leaving me with a browser that was enjoyable to use.

Most of the minor problems I had with Chrome were resolved. The AI Mode button in the address bar is gone, as are the Help Me Write feature and Tab Compare.

However, Just the Browser can't do everything.

Just the Browser can't fix the internet by itself

It can't remove Gemini from Google's apps

If you head to Google Search, Drive, or Gmail after installing Just the Browser, you'll notice that all the Gemini features are still there. That's because these are built into the websites, not the Chrome browser.

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I also noticed that it didn't disable Chrome's telemetry features, but I chalk this up to them being stored in Chrome's settings, not in the policies.

Finally, Just the Browser does not work on mobile browsers.

Supplementing Just the Browser with an ad blocker and manual toggling of telemetry settings can turn your browser from a platform for AI features into, well, just the browser.

It's worth giving the documentation for each browser a careful look, as Just the Browser affects Chrome, Edge, and Firefox differently.

Just the Browser is a great way to keep using your browser

I've tried numerous browsers, but none have replaced Chrome as my go-to in my day-to-day life. However, Google's relentless push to add new AI features nearly pushed me over the edge. It probably would have if I hadn't discovered Just the Browser.

Unless you actively use the AI tools in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, installing Just the Browser is a no-brainer decision. All of its effects can be easily reversed if you change your mind, and you can fine-tune the policies it toggles.

In return, you get a lighter and faster browser that sends less of your data to its parent company. Take it from me, you need to give it a go.