# Debloat chromium browsers with policies **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/debloat-chromium-browsers-with-policies/33720 **Category:** General **Created:** 2025-12-11T17:37:22Z **Posts:** 38 ## Post 1 by @tisko4 — 2025-12-11T17:37:22Z > **[yashgorana’s gists](https://gist.github.com/yashgorana)** > > GitHub Gist: star and fork yashgorana's gists by creating an account on GitHub. for those who want full debloat in your browser found this guy , i believe a life saver for debloats --- ## Post 2 by @anon57862721 — 2025-12-11T17:48:04Z I don’t think I will trust this. Very little explanation of what’s happening and why. --- ## Post 3 by @tisko4 — 2025-12-11T17:58:49Z i see… if u have any similar debloat guide feel free to share --- ## Post 5 by @tisko4 — 2025-12-11T18:31:31Z thanks for the reply im an arkenfox guy but i like very much brave , use both , can u share what specific policies u use on brave ? suggestions are welcome --- ## Post 6 by @anon57862721 — 2025-12-11T18:34:24Z I request you to make a guide on how one can do this. I could not figure it out but I reckon it will help many people if you make and share an easy to follow guide on this such that even the average person can do it as you suggest. --- ## Post 7 by @anon12918199 — 2025-12-11T19:38:12Z I outlined exactly the type of config that I use here: [AI browsing in Brave now available for early testing - #5 by anon12918199](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/ai-browsing-in-brave-now-available-for-early-testing/33693/5) Note that this is specifically for Linux as that’s my daily driver. I also generated that config with AI, so it probably has some old, outdated config items and would need to be cleaned up; however, it works really well for me. > [@anon57862721](#): > > I request you to make a guide on how one can do this. I could not figure it out but I reckon it will help many people if you make and share an easy to follow guide on this such that even the average person can do it as you suggest. I don’t think this is the kind of thing I want to get into now as configuring Brave group policies is platform-specific based on the linked support doc. I’m a 99% Linux user now and I’m too lazy to jump on Windows and MacOS to write a more detailed cross-platform guide that is required here. --- ## Post 8 by @xe3 — 2025-12-12T00:05:02Z > I request you to make a guide on how one can do this. I think there isn’t really a good substitute for reading the docs. There are lots of guides out there on how to use group policies and equivalent techniques with Chromium or Firefox which maycanbe helpful, but it’s a method of configuration that is really intended for _administrators_ not your average end-user, so there is some learning curve, particularly because it requires making informed personal choices about what you’d like to enable or not, which typically requires a bit of research and thought. Like Arkenfox, the system itself is actually pretty straightforward (at least on Linux) essentially just: 1. create a file to store your preferred settings 2. put that file in the correct location 3. have your browser apply those settings In my case, that meant creating a file named `brave.json` in the directory `/etc/brave/policies/managed/` A simple example of what that file could contain that (I think) is relevant to _your_ personal preferences would be: ``` { "BraveAIChatEnabled": false, } ``` If that is all you wanted to change, it could be as simple as that. If you wanted to disable (or enable) more things, you’d just add more lines between the { } (but be mindful of the spacing/formatting, it matters) For example: ``` { "BraveRewardsDisabled": true, "BraveWalletDisabled": true, "BraveVPNDisabled": true, "TorDisabled": true, "BraveP3AEnabled": false, "BraveStatsPingEnabled": false, "BraveNewsDisabled": true, "BraveTalkDisabled": true, } ``` --- ## Post 9 by @anon12918199 — 2025-12-12T01:01:46Z Unfortunately it’s a more involved process for MacOS users. It looks like they need to run in terminal: ”sudo mkdir -p “/Library/Managed Preferences” sudo chown root:wheel “/Library/Managed Preferences” sudo chmod 755 “/Library/Managed Preferences” then set configs individually also through the command line like: ”sudo /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c “Add :BraveWalletDisabled bool true” /Library/Managed\ Preferences/com.brave.Browser.plist” or for your example: ”sudo /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c “Add :BraveAIChatEnabled bool false” /Library/Managed\ Preferences/com.brave.Browser.plist” ^ I think this is all you need to do @anon57862721 --- ## Post 10 by @ikelatomig — 2025-12-12T03:38:04Z I tried in Linux, it works fantastically just like a traditional browser without bloat just like the good old days. You need to use true/false in linux and 1/0 in windows. Not sure about mac as it uses `plist` format. --- ## Post 11 by @any1 — 2025-12-12T11:27:14Z This might be a good addition for the Community Wiki --- ## Post 12 by @anon63378630 — 2025-12-12T11:48:40Z yuck, it installs a bunch of extensions, I’d remove that section at the very minimum if anyone considers using this. --- ## Post 13 by @anon39279085 — 2025-12-12T12:55:58Z What? When is changing a policy makes it install a bunch of extensions, what are you talking about --- ## Post 14 by @anon57862721 — 2025-12-12T12:57:35Z Because the policy ensures of it, if I am reading OPs post correctly (on Github). --- ## Post 15 by @anon39279085 — 2025-12-12T13:00:40Z I have a policy to allow installing an extension (libredirect) but it does not install anything additional so I’m very very confused. It will not install any extension just setting a policy, ever --- ## Post 16 by @any1 — 2025-12-12T13:01:20Z If you look at the github gists from the OP link, you will see this: > [HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\BraveSoftware\Brave\ExtensionInstallForcelist] > “1”=“cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm” > “2”=“fhcgjolkccmbidfldomjliifgaodjagh” > “3”=“nkgllhigpcljnhoakjkgaieabnkmgdkb” > “4”=“edibdbjcniadpccecjdfdjjppcpchdlm” > “5”=“mnjggcdmjocbbbhaepdhchncahnbgone” > “6”=“bbeaicapbccfllodepmimpkgecanonai” > “7”=“jaadjnlkjnhohljficgoddcjmndjfdmi” > “8”=“ldpochfccmkkmhdbclfhpagapcfdljkj” --- ## Post 17 by @anon39279085 — 2025-12-12T13:02:41Z Oh yeah yikes it does not show until you expand the code or click the file name. Then I 100% agree, remove it, just not noticing things on my part so it is good you brought it to the attention --- ## Post 18 by @anon63378630 — 2025-12-12T13:12:00Z > [@any1](#): > > you will see this: the map with the names is here: > --- ## Post 19 by @anon39279085 — 2025-12-12T13:17:04Z I get sponsorblock and Ublock origin but that’s a bit much otherwise I will have to agree --- ## Post 20 by @any1 — 2025-12-12T14:58:58Z When you are already using Brave, you might as well use the Brave Shields. I don’t understand why they install uBlock Origin. --- ## Post 21 by @anon57862721 — 2025-12-12T15:01:31Z > [@any1](#): > > I don’t understand why they install uBlock Origin. Because Brave Shields are not a full replacement for uBO. Also, uBO has other features not inherently available in Brave. --- ## Post 22 by @any1 — 2025-12-12T15:04:59Z What for example? I would say for the target audiences that these policies are meant for are best suited using Shields. --- ## Post 23 by @anon57862721 — 2025-12-12T15:07:18Z > [@any1](#): > > What for example? Features like element picker and element zapper for example. --- ## Post 24 by @anon39279085 — 2025-12-12T15:22:09Z Untrue those are implemented into brave, you do have a built in element picker and zapper Pick anything else --- ## Post 25 by @anon57862721 — 2025-12-12T15:26:18Z Where exactly? I don’t use Brave so I may be misremembering. I can give it try to see how it works. --- ## Post 26 by @yes — 2025-12-12T15:37:55Z On Desktop: Right click anywhere and you should see the “Block elements” option above “Inspect” On Mobile: Click Shields icon → Advanced controls → Block element --- ## Post 27 by @xe3 — 2025-12-12T17:21:32Z I’m happy that Brave have documented how to disable via policy a _few_ more of it’s features/anti-features. But there are a lot of settings that still aren’t documented. I think I’ve got `HttpsOnlyMode` working through trial and error and Chromium’s documentation. There are a handful of other things I’d like to enable/disable via policy. Does anyone know whether it’s possible to use policies to: 1. Disable New Tab Page ads 2. Disable Search Ads 3. Enable ‘Aggressively block trackers and ads’ in shields 4. Enable Forgetful Browsing - preset some cookie exceptions for forgetful browsing 5. Disable Brave’s entire advertising & ad analytics subsystem 6. Disable other crypto/web3 stuff beyond just Brave Wallet @anon63378630 I recall that you maintained a policy for Chromium, but that was a few years ago. Is that something you still mantain? --- ## Post 28 by @anon12918199 — 2025-12-12T17:33:32Z From my experience it doesn’t give as fine of a control to select the HTML elements on a page as uBO does. Sometimes it’s tricky and I have to cycle through several options to block precisely what I want. I see that both options allow me to write custom CSS selectors, but I’m way too lazy for that. That’s the only reason why I’m using Brave with uBO now, but would love to not have to. --- ## Post 29 by @yes — 2025-12-12T18:10:48Z It’s fine for me, but yes, the picker could get QoL improvements. --- ## Post 30 by @anon12918199 — 2025-12-12T20:58:59Z Well this is just horrible. A “debloat” script forcefully installed a bunch of bloated extensions that one shouldn’t really need. To summarize what I think is happening in this thread: linked ”debloat” scripts = bad browser group policy configuration = good (if you can handle the browser and platform-specific instructions) --- ## Post 31 by @Cyber-Typhoon — 2025-12-12T21:10:43Z Not sure if I’m jumping into conclusions but it seems that you are looking to transform the Brave Browser in some sort of Ungoogled Chromium + uBO via browser group policy. :sweat_smile: If you get to put it all together do you mind sharing a tutorial via PG wiki? --- ## Post 33 by @anon63378630 — 2025-12-13T03:42:48Z > [@xe3](#): > > Is that something you still mantain? Yes, but it is in need of a refresh: [Brace/brace/etc/chromium/policies/managed/brace.json at d3768eb9a757078c6c742cdfb0e908dfd7527b01 · divestedcg/Brace · GitHub](https://github.com/divestedcg/Brace/blob/d3768eb9a757078c6c742cdfb0e908dfd7527b01/brace/etc/chromium/policies/managed/brace.json) @celenity also has their own: [GitHub - celenityy/Titanium: Policies to harden the privacy & security of Chromium-based web browsers.](https://github.com/celenityy/Titanium) --- ## Post 34 by @anon63378630 — 2025-12-18T14:13:19Z I’ve overhauled my policy to support the latest version of Chromium, Chrome, Brave, and uBlock Origin Lite: [Brace/brace/etc/chromium/policies/managed/brace.json at a20eafebce5a8b85d15d2e1f05d14adbce49b54f · divestedcg/Brace · GitHub](https://github.com/divestedcg/Brace/blob/a20eafebce5a8b85d15d2e1f05d14adbce49b54f/brace/etc/chromium/policies/managed/brace.json) --- ## Post 35 by @tisko4 — 2025-12-18T16:37:54Z is there a possibility to make your brave debloat to .reg (file) for windows users, if not its ok thanks for your work --- ## Post 36 by @anon63378630 — 2025-12-18T16:44:14Z > [@tisko4](#): > > possibility here: [brace-brave-20251218.reg · GitHub](https://gist.github.com/SkewedZeppelin/32efd6bd3444aaa0ef29d188c9306d3c) I manually converted it, no idea if it works since I don’t use Windows. It also lacks the uBOL config. You can check `brave://policy` after to see if it took effect. --- ## Post 37 by @tisko4 — 2025-12-18T17:19:21Z work perfect i didnt add uboL coz shields is on i removed this \>\> “DnsOverHttpsTemplates”=“[https://dns.quad9.net/dns-query”](https://dns.quad9.net/dns-query%E2%80%9D) coz portmaster block it and this \>\> “DnsOverHttpsMode”=“secure” ![Screenshot 2025-12-18 190057](https://forum-uploads.privacyguidesusercontent.com/original/3X/8/7/87b255b797bb9b5704dbc3823162f589ec46a60f.png) some photo of brave://policy , not all list ( huge list) ![Screenshot 2025-12-18 185539](https://forum-uploads.privacyguidesusercontent.com/original/3X/8/1/81df464b020252086482ccc5a8492ab9e2359983.png) ![Screenshot 2025-12-18 185704](https://forum-uploads.privacyguidesusercontent.com/original/3X/3/c/3cdd75c35d3a5d7a9ccd8d09d36fa275c77b4bd3.png) ![Screenshot 2025-12-18 185615](https://forum-uploads.privacyguidesusercontent.com/original/3X/c/c/cca2b7bbb1117af74f97d8620aba373ad03bce1e.png) thanks again --- ## Post 38 by @anon36227541 — 2026-01-06T09:34:11Z Okay, just wow. Had no idea this existed. This just absolutely opens up a whole new world of setting up browsers for me! I have always wondered if there was a good way to transfer and even maintain the same settings between Brave profiles. If I recall, the solutions that came up in google search results was to just copy and paste files from one Brave profile to another, which I wasn’t a fan of and therefore never did. But policies seem to maintain settings between profiles in a way that I was searching for all this time! I wonder if there is a way to have a specific profile linked only with a specific policy in `/etc/brave/policies/managed/` directory? Or are all profiles linked to only the first found JSON file? Either way, so glad that this exists. I love the Arkenfox project, so I hope that a similarly definitive group policy list for Brave arises too. I seriously think we should mention this in the desktop Brave section like we do for Arkenfox in the desktop Firefox section. Edit: [suggestion thread has been made](https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/mention-group-policy-management-for-brave-in-desktop-browsers-section/34454).