Just the Browser: This is how it wants to give control back to your browser

In recent years, the Major web browsers have been accumulating AI, telemetry, and promotional content features. that many users neither asked for nor want. Between generative model integrations, sponsored news in the new tab, constant reminders to change the default browser, and integrated shopping tools, the browsing experience has become filled with layers that have little to do with simply opening web pages.

In that context it appears Just the Browser, an open-source project that proposes something quite simple: Keep Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, but without all the extra load.Instead of creating a new browser from scratch or resorting to poorly maintained forks, this initiative leverages existing ones. business management policies browsers to automatically turn off many of these invasive functions without touching the code or breaking updates.

What is Just the Browser?

The central idea of ​​Just the Browser is to provide a set of configurations and scripts that clean up most major browsers of all that many consider digital noise. Instead of installing extensions or modified versions of browsers, the project relies on systems of group policies and configuration files that companies already use to control how browsers behave on their networks.

This means that Chrome, Edge, and Firefox remain exactly the same programs. These apps are downloaded from their official websites, with their usual update cycles and security patches, but they come with a set of pre-configured options that disable generative AI, advanced tracking, sponsored content, and a number of "smart" assistants that appear by default. The policies are stored in clearly readable files, so any curious user can open them and see what's being disabled line by line.

The project's approach is designed both to for individual advanced users as well as for technical teams and startups who want to standardize their working environment. Instead of going browser by browser changing hidden options in experimental flags, A script is executed or some configuration files are copied And, in seconds, the browser is adjusted with a much more austere profile in terms of data and distractions.

Features disabled: AI, telemetry, and sponsored content

One of the most striking points is that Just the Browser explicitly focuses on cutting back on generative AI and tracking featuresalong with a long list of commercial "extras" that have been added to desktop browsers. The list of affected areas is extensive and touches on both privacy and usability.

In the section of generative AIThe project blocks elements such as Copilot in Microsoft EdgeExamples include model-driven tab grouping suggestions in Firefox and AI features built into Chrome, such as address bar assistants and local model experiments. The most significant exception is the native translation of pages in Firefoxwhich the project keeps active as it considers it a useful tool that does not depend on the same logic as generative text assistants.

In parallel, policies are responsible for significantly reduce telemetryThis means the automatic transmission of usage data to browser developers. Many options that collect browsing or behavioral statistics are disabled, retaining, where the browser allows, only more limited sections such as crash reports. For those who take privacy seriously, this configuration layer avoids having to uncheck boxes scattered across different menus.

Another important block is the one on sponsored content and integrated commercial featuresJust the Browser disables promoted articles on the new tab page, sponsored site recommendations, shopping modules (price tracking, automatic coupons, financial integrations) and other elements that turn the main interface into a kind of service portal. It also blocks constant reminders to change the default browser and first-home screens that insist on importing data from other browsers or activating additional features.

Even functions like the The browser runs automatically with the operating system.When these features are enabled or suggested without the user's request, they can be blocked by these policies. In practice, the goal is for the browser to start only when the user opens it, with minimal distractions and no surprises in the form of sponsored or AI-powered pop-up ads.

Comparison: How Chrome, Edge, and Firefox are changing

To understand the extent to which these policies alter the user experience, it's helpful to see the contrast between typical browser behavior and what remains after applying Just the Browser's settings. The project doesn't aim to transform them into radically different browsers, but rather trim away many of the added layers in recent years.

In the case of ChromeThe before and after can be seen in several areas: Gemini AI integration In parts of the interface, there are model-driven search suggestions, active telemetry, and synchronization set to always be on. After policy implementation, AI features are disabled, telemetry is reduced, and synchronization is no longer so aggressively enabled by default, resulting in cleaner navigation from the first launch.

En Microsoft EdgeThe visual change is especially noticeable. By default, the browser tends to display Integrated copilot, MSN content and a good number of news and shopping widgets on the new tab page. With Just the Browser, this front end can be much cleaner: Copilot is deactivated, the page is cleaned of sponsored content, and modules like price tracking and shopping tools that appear tied to the browser are removed.

For their part, Firefox It typically includes AI-related suggestions for managing tabs, article recommendations through services like Pocket, and Mozilla's own telemetry. The policies included in this project turn off AI suggestions, disable external content recommendations, and reduce data transmission, maintaining only a few very specific functions considered less intrusive, such as... page translation.

In all cases, browsers continue to receive its security updates and engine improvementsThis isn't always the case with community forks or alternative browsers. This compatibility with the mainstream ecosystem is one of the most frequently cited arguments by those who find this intermediate approach useful.

Installation and use on Windows, macOS and Linux

One of the project's strengths is that, although it deals with administrative policies normally associated with corporate environments, It tries to simplify its deployment as much as possible.The user can choose between two paths: using the automated scripts or manually apply the policy files following the paths indicated in the documentation.

En WindowsThe automated method involves Close all browsers, open PowerShell with administrator privileges, and run a command This downloads and runs the main script hosted in the project's repository. The script guides the user through the process, installs the corresponding policies for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, and once finished, simply reopening the browsers will confirm that the new restrictions are in place. Typically, a notification will appear indicating that the browser is being managed.

In systems macOS and LinuxThe scheme is similar but it is carried out from the Terminal using a command that downloads and executes the script in the shell. In some cases, you will need to enter your administrator password to write to system paths. After the process, you can check the active policies by visiting special addresses such as about:policies in Firefox or chrome://policy in Chrome and Edge, where the detailed list of each applied setting is displayed.

For those who prefer to have total control or are wary of scripts, the documentation offers the option of download the configuration files directly and manually place them in the corresponding policy paths. In Linux, for example, you can create a directory like /etc/opt/chrome/policies/managed and copy the policy JSON file there; on Windows and macOS the paths vary, but the principle is the same: the browser detects these files and applies the restrictions without needing to touch binaries or extensions.

It is worth noting that, for the time being, The tool focuses on desktop versions for Windows, macOS, and Linux. There is no official support for mobile browsers, and some installation formats—such as versions of Chrome on Linux distributed via Flatpak or certain variants of Edge—are still awaiting full support or require finer manual adjustments by the user.

How to revert the changes and recover the original browser

One aspect that reassures many users is knowing that The modifications introduced by Just the Browser are completely reversibleSince it relies on group policies and external files, simply removing or disabling these settings will restore browsers to their normal behavior, without leaving a deep trace on the system.

En WindowsThe quick way is to run the same script which was used to install the policies. The script itself detects that they are already applied and offers the option to uninstall them, removing the files initially created. Alternatively, you can manually delete the policy folders and files located in system directories or in each browser's distribution paths, such as Firefox's JSON files in its distribution folders.

En macOS and LinuxThe philosophy is similar: you can either return to the main script to activate uninstall mode or search for the policy files in the paths indicated in the documentation—usually under /etc or within the application's resource folders—and delete them with administrator privileges. Afterward, a complete browser restart is usually enough to stop the program from displaying any administrative messages.

For those seeking an even more radical change, there is always the option of resorting to the native reset functions of each browserThis creates new profiles and deletes extensions, settings, and customizations. It's a more drastic approach, intended for cases where you want to start from scratch, but it's not essential for undoing the policies applied by this project.

In any case, the existence of a clear and documented reversal method fits with the project's approach: Test, adjust, and if it doesn't convince, go back to the starting point. without needing to reinstall the browser or mess with the operating system too much.

That message saying “your browser is being managed”

One visible effect of using Just the Browser is that, in many cases, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox display a warning indicating that the browser is managed by an organization.For those who associate these messages with corporate environments, it may be a little unsettling at first, but here there is no IT department monitoring anything: the “organization” is, in fact, the user who has applied the policies.

The reason for that message is simple: Browsers are designed to warn you when group policies are active. that affect internal functions. It's the same signal an employee would see when using a company laptop. In this case, the use of these policies is aimed at strengthening privacy and eliminating intrusive features, not at arbitrarily restricting browsing.

Anyone who wants to be sure what has been applied can go to about:policies (Firefox) or chrome://policy (Chrome and Edge), where each active rule, its values, and whether it has been loaded correctly are detailed. The project itself encourages users to review this information, both for transparency and so that more knowledgeable users can adapt or extend the policies as needed.

In environments where the browser is already managed by a company or public organization, the situation becomes more complicated: Corporate policies take priority And it may not be possible to introduce additional configurations without the involvement of the responsible team. In these types of contexts, the tool makes more sense for home use or on devices that are not subject to external centralized management.

Advantages over changing browsers

The idea of ​​“cleaning” existing browsers directly competes with another common trend among privacy-conscious users: migrate to alternative browsers or forks like LibreWolf, ungoogled Chromium, Tor Browser, Mullvad Browser and other derivatives that promise less tracking by default.

These projects have gained traction precisely because they offer very restrictive profiles in terms of data and monitoringHowever, its widespread adoption remains limited for several reasons. In many organizations and across much of the European business landscape, internal web tools and certain official services are designed and tested primarily for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, and any deviation can lead to problems. compatibility or support issues.

In addition, dominant browsers tend to receive security patches and engine updates more quicklyIn addition to a greater availability of verified extensions, for a user who relies on specific plugins or corporate integrations, switching to an unfamiliar fork can pose an operational risk they may not always be willing to take.

In that context, Just the Browser presents itself as a pragmatic middle groundThe official browser and its entire ecosystem remain, but with a much stricter policy regarding integrated AI, telemetry, and sponsored content. Compatibility with complex websites, banking services, fully web-based tools, and enterprise platforms is maintained, while limiting the proliferation of features that contribute little to the browsing experience.

Even if there are commercial options like Vivaldi that have slowed, at least for now, the mass integration of AI, the fact that Chrome, Edge, and Firefox remain the go-to in many workflows makes a solution to "clean up" these browsers attractive to those who don't want to give them up entirely.

Customization, common problems and limitations

Although the tool is presented as a quick way to put browsers "on a diet", It does not force you to use a closed set of settings.The policies are documented in the repository and can be modified before being applied, removing elements that the user wishes to keep or adding additional restrictions if desired.

The project itself acknowledges that no installation ad blocker defaultIf someone wants to go a step further and filter ads on the websites they visit, they'll have to use separate extensions like uBlock Origin or its lighter versions, or complementary tools like Privacy Badger or Decentraleyes. Just the Browser simply disables built-in browser features; it doesn't alter the content served by websites.

As to posible problemsSeveral typical scenarios are considered. It's possible that, after installing the policies, the browser may continue to behave as before; in such cases, simply closing the program completely, verifying that the script was run with administrator privileges, or ensuring that the configuration files are in the correct location and have the appropriate permissions is usually sufficient. It's also recommended to use relatively recent browser versions, as some policies are not available in very old versions.

Nor is it impossible that some AI function temporarily escapes controlBrowsers frequently add new features, and an update might introduce a module not yet covered by current policies. In these cases, we recommend updating Just the Browser to the latest available version and, if the problem persists, reporting it through the repository so the configuration can be adjusted in future updates.

In rare situations, combining strict policies with certain extensions or custom settings can lead to a unstable browser behaviorIn the event of such failures, the suggested procedure is to temporarily uninstall the policies to see if the problem disappears, try safe modes such as Firefox's which disable extensions, or manually adjust the configuration files to relax specific rules.

Finally, it should be noted that current support is limited to desktop environments on Windows, macOS, and LinuxBrowsers on Android or iOS are excluded for now, both due to technical limitations and the restrictions of the mobile systems themselves, and some specific variants, such as Edge for Linux or installations in highly packaged formats, require additional work that the project still has on its roadmap.

Even with these limitations, the proposal fits into a climate in which Increasingly, European users are seeking to regain control over their digital tools., amidst an ongoing debate about privacy, regulations and the responsible use of AI integrated into everyday services.

Beyond marketing campaigns or grandiose promises about "the browser of the future," this initiative relies on a simple approach: Use official administration mechanisms to reduce the browser to its bare minimum functionality.With less noise, less tracking, and without sacrificing compatibility or updates, it's an option worth considering for those who want to stick with their usual Chrome, Edge, or Firefox, but without all the bells and whistles, without needing to radically change their habits.

Related article:

How to uninstall Copilot on Windows 11: Here's how Microsoft's new policy works

Alberto Navarro

I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.

If you have any questions, my knowledge ranges from everything related to the Windows operating system as well as Android for mobile phones. And my commitment is to you, I am always willing to spend a few minutes and help you resolve any questions you may have in this internet world.