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Turn off the Google Lens "Homework Help" tool

Updated
This article is for IT Support. 

Google Lens allows students to take screenshots of questions using their device’s camera and search for answers online. Since Google Lens integrates with other Google products, you must add multiple policies in Google Admin or Microsoft Intune to block it.

For Google Admin users

  1. Go to Google Admin Console > Devices > Chrome > Settings.
  2. (Optional) To turn off Google Lens for a specific sub OU, go to that sub OU.
  3. Go to the Users and browsers tab > URL blocking.
  4. For Blocked URLs > Configuration > add lens.google.com
  5. Go to the Users and browsers tab, search for Google Lens to find associated policies.
    1. Select Google Lens Overlay and change the Configuration dropdown to Disable.
    2. Select New Tab page Google Lens button and change the Configuration dropdown to Disable.

For Microsoft Intune users

Download the Google and Chrome ADMX and ADML files

  1. Go to Google Enterprise, scroll down and download the Google ADM/ADMX templates.
  2. When the download window appears, select the Management tab.
    1. For Channel, select Stable.
    2. For File type, select Bundle.
    3. For Architecture, select 64 bit (x86).
    4. Select Accept and download.

You can find the Google and Chrome ADMX files in:

  • GoogleChromeEnterpriseBundle64 > Configuration > ADMX
  • GoogleChromeEnterpriseBundle64 > Configuration > ADMX > en-US

Import the Google and Chrome ADMX and ADML files into Microsoft Intune

  Important

Deploy the Windows ADMX and ADML files first, followed by the Google ADMX and ADML files, and then the Chrome ADMX and ADML files.

You can find Windows ADMX and ADML in:

  1. Windows ADMX files: C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions
  2. Windows ADML files: C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US

Repeat the steps below for each:

  1. Go to Microsoft Endpoint Manager Admin Center > Devices > Configuration.
  2. Select Import ADMX, then select Import.
  3. Select and upload the ADMX and ADML files.
  4. Follow the prompts to review and create the upload.

Create a Configuration Profile and assign it to users or devices

  1. Once the ADMX and ADML files are successfully imported, go to Devices > Configuration Profiles and select Create Profile.
  2. For Platform, select Windows 10 or later.
  3. For Profile type, select Templates, then select Imported Administrative templates (Preview) from the list.
  4. Select Create.
  5. Enter a profile name and description.
  6. Go to the Configuration Settings tab, select Computer Configuration > Google > Google Chrome, and search for Lens to find associated policies listed below:
    1. For Allow Google lens button to be shown in the search box on new tab page if supported, select disabled.
    2. For Settings for the lens overlay feature, select enabled and Do not allow.
  7. Assign the Configuration Profile to the users or devices you require.