Just a FYI…I was on ZDnet this morning & saw this article: https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-may-have-downloaded-a-4gb-chrome-file-to-your-pc-heres-why/
So, as I do have Google Chrome installed (I use it every so often)—I checked and—yes, there is a large file in .config/google-chrome/OptGuideOnDeviceModel/2025.8.21.1028
So I changed the setting & deleted that file…
Another discussion about this is here:
Yer I saw something about this the other day, if I had noticed my browser was downloading an extra 4gb I would have just switched and not continued with the download.
I have been trying the new Brave Origin, a streamlined, debloated, edition of Brave with no AI, no wallet, no TOR etc. for a few days.
It works rather well I must say. It’s responsive, has built-in adblocker and randomized fingerprint.
Perhaps something to look at if you need a Chrome/Chromium alternative.
I likey. Sounds like they finally got tired of people calling them out for claiming to be privacy centric while having a ads reward program and crypto program. I will def be taking a look. Thanks.
It’s pretty close to Vanilla Chromium but without all the phoning back home to Chrome.
It does phone to some Brave’s servers but it looks those are mostly for updating the blocklists used by the adblocker and so on.
I will have a closer look later and post here which Brave’s servers it connects to upon launch.
It supports sync as well. And if one needs DRM, it can be enabled in the settings. And still supports the “legacy” uBlock and NoScript if someone wants to install them. It can be done from within Brave’s settings.
I think I watched a video on this the other day and I thought I’ll have to give it a try, most of the things it removes I don’t use in it at all
An ads rewards and crypto program that are opt-in.
Not the point. I’m not even close to the only one that doesn’t buy being so called privacy centric and having those programs even if they are opt in.
if we are going strict .config/chrome-knockoff/OptGuideOnDeviceModel/2025.8.21.1028 folder then I got nothing in Trivalent or Ungoogled folders.
a subsequent search for “optguide” in /home and /root found nothing.
Is this strictly a 4GB chrome thang?
I was watching a clip from someorinarygamers on this and I think the first PC he looked at this wasn’t present but another was. From what I understand now I’ve watched and read a little bit is it checks to see if your computer can run it or something before it downloads (I could be wrong and just getting a bit confused though as I’ve had a few rums)
Yes…If you are not running Google Chrome…you “should” not have a problem…I keep Chrome for the rare things that other browsers have a problem with…Had not used it in a couple of months & it was “interesting” to see the AI data file downloaded.
I found the knock-offs can do everything that Chrome can, at least for my employment requirements and fun requirements. I kept WIN10 around for the same reason as I have webex problems with Linux..but I figured those out. Although WIN has been on an old SSD under the bed for two years, I think it’s possible I will never use it again…
But I digress.
Thanks for your great response confirming it is likely Chrome-only. I would be livid/sad/frightened if a 4GB package just parked itself on my doorstep..
Me too especially since my data is pre-paid and just rose in price.
man these are some strange times 
I was employed by Amazon for a while & they really wanted only Chrome…so I just kept it after I left…I had not thought much about it until this “issue” made me question…I have enough storage space, but I am really not wanting AI, so now would be as good a time as any to “clean house”.
Can you show us why that’s an issue?
You could prevent this 4GB file to be downloaded in the following manner as well:
Open chrome://flags >> Optimization Guide On Device.>> Disabled.
Restart the browser.
good to know
Not even one of the thousand plus words that came to mind when I saw this by g 
ggles.