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Simply The Browser strips your browser of undesirable options.
Simply The Browser can be utilized with Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
This device is free to make use of and open-source.
I are not looking for AI in my net browser. I simply do not. I additionally don’t need firms gathering details about me, or sponsored content material and product integrations. All these bits make me wish to pull my hair out.
I like my privateness and wish to browse, you understand, the old style manner.
I do use AI (now and again), however solely locally-installed AI and just for particular functions (similar to studying Python or researching a subject once I do not wish to use a normal search engine).
I simply need my instruments to do what they’re alleged to do and nothing extra. Bells and whistles are all nice and good, however after they begin getting in the best way of effectivity and effectiveness, they grow to be an issue.
That is why, once I heard about Simply The Browser, I hoped I might jettison the cruft and get again to a extra centered and environment friendly expertise in my browser.
What’s Simply The Browser?
Simply the browser strips your net browser of the issues you do not need, similar to AI and telemetry. It is free, straightforward to make use of, and works with the three hottest browsers (Chrome, Edge, and Firefox).
I used to be skeptical at first, however after wanting via the mission’s GitHub repository, I used to be satisfied that Simply The Browser was price a strive.
Basically, what Simply The Browser does is apply configuration recordsdata to the browsers talked about above, stripping them of undesirable options.
OK, so the truth is which you could manually disable these options within the browser configuration. For instance, you may open Microsoft Edge, navigate to edge://flags, and comb via the large record of choices to disable what you do not need.
Or, you may merely obtain a script, run it, stroll via the prompts, and also you’re finished. It is quick, it is easy, and it is efficient.
I kicked the tires of Simply The Browser and got here away impressed. This is the way it went for me.
First, I wish to speak about Edge, as a result of I ran that from a clear set up, so I hadn’t made any modifications to the OS.
Residing on the stripped-down Edge
I do not usually use Edge, so first I needed to set up it. Throughout set up, I enabled Copilot Mode to see how efficient Simply The Browser could be. After Edge was arrange, I checked to verify Copilot was there after which closed it.
Then I downloaded the mandatory script, which could be discovered utilizing one among these hyperlinks — Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox. With the script downloaded to my Downloads listing, I double-clicked it and adopted the instructions (that are quite simple). Relying on whether or not you are utilizing MacOS or Home windows (there isn’t any Linux possibility), the directions will likely be totally different.
On MacOS, after you’ve got double-clicked the script, you open System Settings and go to Normal > Machine Administration, the place you will see an inventory for the browser in query. Double-click that itemizing, and you will see all of the options Simply The Browser disables (it is greater than you assume).
You may’t change any of those settings, so simply click on OK.
With that taken care of, I opened Edge and located it to be remarkably stripped of Copilot.
That is thrilling.
Nonetheless, not all was excellent. Though Edge was stripped of Copilot mode, I might open a brand new tab and see the AI field proper there. After wanting via the Simply The Browser website, I discovered a particular record of what it removes, which is:
Options that use generative AI fashions
Edge or tab group solutions in Firefox
Value monitoring, coupon codes, mortgage integrations, and so forth.
Instructed articles on the New Tab Web page, sponsored website solutions, and so forth.
Pop-ups or different prompts that ask you to vary the default net browser
Browser welcome screens and associated prompts to mechanically import knowledge from different net browsers
Information assortment by net browsers
Options that enable net browsers to start out with the working system with out express permission
OK, that is a nice record, however what I skilled did not match the record. With Edge on MacOS, I discovered the Copilot question field and solutions had been nonetheless on the New Tab Web page.
That is disappointing.
Nonetheless, combing via the sting://coverage/ web page makes it clear that Simply The Browser stripped Fringe of loads of options, and the Copilot mode is not any extra, so I name {that a} massive win.
Stripping off the chrome
Subsequent, got here Chrome. I might already had Chrome put in, so I opted to see what this device would do. This time round, I ran the take a look at on Linux. The steps for this are a bit totally different. This is what I needed to do:
Obtain the config file.
Create a brand new listing with the command – sudo mkdir /and so forth/decide/chrome/insurance policies/managed.
Transfer the config file into the brand new listing with – sudo cp ./managed_policies.json /and so forth/decide/chrome/insurance policies/managed.
Open Chrome.
Previous to working the steps above, Chrome included the AI Mode within the URL bar.
The very first thing I seen was that the AI Mode had certainly been eliminated.
I dug a bit deeper and located there was zero indication that AI was discovered anyplace on the browser.
Good job.
What about telemetry?
However what in regards to the declare that Simply The Browser removes telemetry? That is a a lot trickier bit.
After working Simply The Browser, I opened Chrome’s settings and seen that there have been a number of sync choices nonetheless enabled, similar to “Make searches and shopping higher” and “Enhance search solutions.” These two bits alone ship knowledge to Google, so it appears to me that Simply The Browser is not nearly as good at stopping telemetry with Chrome, nevertheless it’s excellent at disabling AI performance. Given which you could manually disable a few of these telemetry choices, I nonetheless assume Simply The Browser is a worthy device.
Ultimately, should you do not wish to eliminate your default browser however do wish to jettison options that would invade your privateness or use your knowledge for third-party functions, I’d suggest giving Simply The Browser a strive.
