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Disable Chrome system cleanup scans

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script disables Chrome system cleanup scans to enhance user privacy and improve system performance.

By default, Chrome Cleanup Tool periodically scans the system for unwanted software and prompts the user for removal 1 2. This feature can also be manually triggered from the chrome://settings/cleanup page 1 2.

Running this script stops the Chrome Cleanup Tool from performing system scans and cleanups 1 2, which protects your system's information from being analyzed and shared. It also disables the manual trigger of this feature from the settings page 1 2.

Disabling this feature reduces potential privacy risks by preventing data sharing. This may also improve system performance by reducing processing workload.

Authorities like The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) 2 recommend this script for enhanced security. DISA categorizes the absence of this setting as a medium severity security vulnerability 2.

This script applies only to Windows devices within a Microsoft Active Directory domain or managed in similar way 1 2. It is effective only on computers under organizational management, such as those in workplaces or schools. It's not applicable to personal computers that are not managed by an organization.

This script configures the ChromeCleanupEnabled policy 1 2. Changes will take effect after restarting the browser 1.

Caution
  • This will display the message "Your browser is managed by your organization" on the settings page.
  • This locks settings and prevents them from being changed on the settings page.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Configure Chrome cleanup category. This category configures Windows using 2 scripts. The category includes 2 subscripts. Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable Chrome system cleanup scans.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Configure "ChromeCleanupEnabled" Chrome policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome!ChromeCleanupEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome' /v 'ChromeCleanupEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Suggest restarting Chrome for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'For the changes to fully take effect, please restart Google Chrome.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Restore "ChromeCleanupEnabled" Chrome policy
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome!ChromeCleanupEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome' /v 'ChromeCleanupEnabled' /f 2>$null"
:: Suggest restarting Chrome for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'For the changes to fully take effect, please restart Google Chrome.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"

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