What Is Just the Browser and What Does It Do?

Just the Browser is an open-source project that removes AI features, telemetry data reporting, sponsored content, product integrations, and other annoyances from desktop web browsers. It works by applying hidden settings that browser makers intend for companies and other organizations, distributed as configuration files, documentation, and install scripts hosted on GitHub. It covers Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Brave. If your goal is a browser that does only browsing, this project is built for exactly that; if you rely on a browser's built-in AI assistant or sponsored suggestions, applying it will remove those.

What it removes

The project's stated goal is to give you "just the browser" and nothing else. According to the project, the configuration targets:

• AI features built into the browser
• Telemetry data reporting
• Sponsored content
• Product integrations
• Other annoyances

The mechanism is the key detail: rather than patching the browser binary, it uses enterprise and organizational settings that already exist in each browser. Those settings are normally managed by IT departments, which is why they can switch off features that have no ordinary user-facing toggle.

Supported browsers and how you apply it

There are two paths:

1. The setup script — described as installing the configuration files "in a few clicks."
2. Manual guides — per-browser documentation for installing and modifying the configuration files yourself.

The project explicitly recommends the manual guides if you don't want to run scripts with administrator/root access, or if the script doesn't work for you.

Running the install script

The script needs administrator or root privileges, so treat this as a system-level change rather than a browser extension.

Windows

1. Search for "Windows PowerShell" in the Start Menu.
2. Right-click it and choose "Run as administrator."
3. Paste the following command into the window (Ctrl+V) and press Enter:

& ([scriptblock]::Create((irm "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/corbindavenport/just-the-browser/main/main.ps1")))

On older versions of Windows, the project notes you may need to run this first:

[Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol=[Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12

Mac and Linux

1. Open Terminal from your applications list.
2. Paste the following command (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V) and press Enter:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/corbindavenport/just-the-browser/main/main.sh)"

Expected result: the script downloads and installs the configuration files for your browser(s). The project does not describe a verification step in the supplied material, so confirm the effect by checking that the removed features (AI prompts, sponsored content, and so on) no longer appear after restarting the browser. If nothing changes, fall back to the manual guide for your browser.

A known issue to be aware of

The project's FAQ addresses CompatTelRunner.exe constantly running. It explains this is a Windows bug triggered when Just the Browser's uninstall shortcuts are present in the "Installed apps" section of Windows settings, causing a CPU loop. The current installation script and registry files do not include those shortcuts, so a current install should not hit this. If you installed an older version and see the process looping, that context is the likely cause.

Staying updated

Configuration files, documentation, and scripts change over time. The project publishes an RSS/Atom releases feed:

https://github.com/corbindavenport/just-the-browser/releases.atom

It works with Feedly, Inoreader, The Old Reader, Feedbin, or any other reader. You can also watch the GitHub repository and choose Custom > New releases to get release notifications through your GitHub account.

Is it right for you?

Choose Just the Browser if you want a desktop browser stripped of AI features, telemetry, and sponsored content, and you're comfortable applying organization-level settings — either through a script with admin rights or by following a manual guide. Choose the manual route if you don't want to run privileged scripts. Skip it if you actively use the browser features it disables, or if you manage a browser through your own organization's policies that could conflict with these configuration files. Everything is open source on GitHub, and questions can go to the project's GitHub issues or Discord.