How to Remove Weights.bin and Disable Gemini Nano in Chrome (Windows 11)

Google Chrome automatically downloads the Gemini Nano model without clear user consent. This download adds approximately 4GB of data to your system and is stored as a file called weights.bin. For users with limited storage space, this can be a significant concern.

The weights.bin file enables various AI-powered features within Chrome, including writing assistance, intelligent tab organization, scam detection, and summary generation. While these capabilities offer genuine utility, many users want greater control over their storage allocation and system resources.

However, simply deleting the weights.bin file won't solve the problem—Chrome will re-download it automatically. To disable the Gemini Nano model completely, you need to disable two Chrome features that depend on it. 

If you prefer to disable Gemini Nano or remove the weights.bin file, the following guide walks you through the safe removal process step-by-step.

How to Permanently Remove Weights.bin File From Windows 11

1. First, launch Chrome and navigate to chrome://flags in the address bar.

2. In the experimental search box, type "guide" and locate "Enables optimization guide on-device." Click the dropdown and select "Disabled".

3. Next, search for "Prompt API" and disable both "Prompt API for Gemini Nano" and "Prompt API for Gemini Nano with Multimodal Input."

4. Relaunch Chrome and close it completely.

5. Navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\OptGuideOnDeviceModel and locate the weights.bin file. Delete it.

6. Restart Chrome to confirm Gemini Nano is disabled.

This will delete weights.bin file from your Windows PC and disables Gemini Nano features from your Chrome browser.

FAQ

Q: Will disabling Gemini Nano break Chrome or cause errors?

A: No. Disabling Gemini Nano only removes AI-powered features like writing assistance and tab organization. Core Chrome functionality remains completely intact. Your browser will work exactly as it did before these features were added.

Q: Can I re-enable Gemini Nano after disabling it?

A: Yes, absolutely. Return to chrome://flags, search for "guide" and "Prompt API," and select "Enabled" instead of "Disabled." Chrome will re-download the weights.bin file automatically.

Q: Will this work on Mac or Linux?

A: The steps are similar but file paths differ. On Mac, navigate to ~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/OptGuideOnDeviceModel. On Linux, check ~/.config/google-chrome/OptGuideOnDeviceModel. The Chrome flags process is identical across all platforms.

Q: What if I can't find the weights.bin file?

A: Check these possibilities: Ensure you've disabled both Chrome features first. The file may not exist yet if Chrome hasn't downloaded it. Also, verify you're looking in the correct AppData folder and that hidden files are visible (enable "Show hidden files" in Windows).