Introduction to Chrome's Storage Consumption
Google Chrome offers a wide range of advanced AI features, but some of these features may quietly consume your device's storage space. According to privacy expert known as The Privacy Guy, the browser automatically downloads a 4GB AI model to support on-device AI features, and this file may remain on your computer unless you manually disable these features.
What is Gemini Nano?
The AI model in question is Gemini Nano, a lighter version of Google's Gemini model designed to run directly on your computer to support various features such as writing assistance, web page summarization, fraud detection, and tab organization.
How the Automatic Download Works
If you agree to enable these features, Chrome downloads a file named "weights.bin" inside a folder called OptGuideOnDeviceModel without notifying you. According to The Privacy Guy's report, this file is downloaded when running Chrome version 147. Although results vary in finding the file across different operating systems, 9to5Google confirmed its presence on Windows devices.
How to Delete the File and Free Up Storage
You can delete the file manually, but note that it will reappear if you leave local AI features enabled in Chrome. To disable them and free up internal storage, follow these steps:
- Open Chrome Settings.
- Select System from the left sidebar menu.
- Turn off the On-device AI option.
Google's Statement on Resource Management
Google first announced integrating Gemini Nano into Chrome during 2024, but only added an option to disable the local features supported by the model a few months ago. In an official statement to 9to5Google, the company indicated that Chrome may automatically delete the "weights.bin" file if it detects low storage space on your device.
Google stated: "While running this model requires local space on the desktop, it will be automatically uninstalled if device resources are low. In February, we began rolling out the ability for users to easily turn off and remove the model directly from Chrome settings. Once disabled, the model will not download or update again."
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