Your Easy-Peasy Guide to Gemini on Windows 11 - Almost identical for Windows 10

This information is also available on my YouTube Channel at: https://youtu.be/8Y4ddDJTb40    

If you prefer, you can also listen to this information on my Podcast at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/norbert-gostischa/episodes/Your-Easy-Peasy-Guide-to-Gemini-on-Windows-e33k6as

Gemini is usually something you access through a web browser or a specific app, rather than a program that "starts up" in the background like some other software. Think of it more like a website you visit, or an app you open, rather than something that runs silently.

Here's how you can easily get to (and get away from!) Gemini, including how to make sure it's totally shut down.

How to Get Gemini Up and Running (Activate / Startup)

1 - The Most Common Way - Using Your Web Browser

This is probably how most people use Gemini on a computer.

Open Your Favorite Web Browser: This could be Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or any other browser you like.

Go to the Gemini Website: In the address bar (that's the long box at the top where you type website names), type in gemini.google.com and then hit the Enter key on your keyboard.

Sign In (If Needed): If you're not already signed in to your Google account, Gemini will ask you to do so. Just follow the on-screen steps. It's usually your Gmail address and password.

And voilà! You're now chatting with Gemini!

2 - Using a Dedicated Desktop App (If You Have One)

Some people prefer having Gemini as a separate app on their computer, instead of just a browser tab.

Check for a Gemini App: Look for a Gemini icon on your Desktop, in your Start Menu (click the Windows icon in the bottom left corner), or in your Taskbar (the bar at the bottom of your screen).

Click the Icon: If you find it, just click it to open the Gemini app.

If you don't have a dedicated app, don't worry! The browser method is perfectly fine. (Sometimes, you can even "install" a website as an app directly from your browser, which makes it look like a regular program.)

3 - The Quick Shortcut: Using the Alt + G Hotkey (On Windows)

This is a fantastic and fast way to jump straight into Gemini!

Just Press the Keys: No matter what you're doing on your Windows 11 computer, simply press and hold the Alt key, and then press the G key.

Gemini App Appears - This shortcut will typically open the Gemini app directly or bring it to the forefront if it's already running in the background.

This works great if you've installed Gemini as a dedicated app (which you can often do through your web browser, making it act more like a standalone program).

How to Stop Using Gemini (Discontinue)

Since Gemini mainly lives in your web browser or a specific app, "discontinuing" it is usually just about closing the window or tab.

1 - Closing the Web Browser Tab:

This is the simplest way to "stop" using Gemini.

Look for the 'X' Button: In your web browser, find the tab where Gemini is open. On that tab, there will be a small 'X' button.

Click the 'X': Click that 'X' button.

The Gemini tab will close, and it's no longer active.

2 - Closing the Entire Web Browser Window:

If you're done with all your internet Browse, you can close the whole browser.

Look for the 'X' in the Corner: In the very top-right corner of your web browser window, you'll see a bigger 'X' button.

Click the 'X': Click this 'X' button.

This will close your entire browser, including any Gemini tabs you had open.

3 - Closing a Dedicated Gemini App:

If you opened Gemini as its own app, you'll close it like any other program.

Look for the 'X' in the App Window: In the very top-right corner of the Gemini app window, you'll see an 'X' button.

Click the 'X': Click this 'X' button.

The Gemini app will close.

How to Totally Shut Down Gemini (No Resources Used!)

If you want to be absolutely, positively sure Gemini isn't using any of your computer's brainpower (resources), here are the methods:

1 - Force-Close Through Task Manager (for Browser or App)

This is the most powerful way to shut down any program that's running.

Open Task Manager:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc all at the same time. (This is the fastest way!)

OR Right-click on an empty space on your Taskbar (the bar at the bottom of your screen), and choose "Task Manager."

Find Gemini or your Browser:

In the "Processes" tab, look for Gemini if you have a dedicated app.

If you're using it in a browser, look for your browser's name (like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, etc.). Sometimes, browsers show multiple entries – one for the main browser and then separate ones for each open tab or extension.

End the Task:

Click on the Gemini process or your browser process (be careful not to close other important programs!).

Click the "End task" button in the bottom right corner.

Confirm if it asks you to.

This will completely shut down that program and free up all its resources.

2 - Disable Background App Permissions (for Installed Apps)

If you've "installed" Gemini as an app from your browser (like Chrome or Edge allow you to do), Windows might allow it some background activity. You can stop this.

Open Settings - Click the Start button (the Windows icon) and then click the Settings gear icon.

OR Press Windows key + I on your keyboard.

Go to Apps: In the left-hand menu, click on Apps.

Go to Installed Apps - On the right side, click on Installed apps.

Find Gemini - Scroll through the list until you find "Gemini" (or whatever you named the app if you installed it from a browser).

Manage Background Activity - Click the three dots (...) next to Gemini's name.

Select Advanced options.

Set Background App Permissions:

Under the section "Background app permissions," you'll see "Let this app run in background."

From the drop-down menu, choose Never.

This tells Windows not to let Gemini do anything in the background when you're not actively using it.

3 - Uninstall the Gemini Desktop App (If You Never Want It Again)

If you never want to use Gemini on your computer again (you can always access it via the website), you can uninstall the dedicated app.

Open Settings - Click the Start button and then click the Settings gear icon.

OR Press Windows key + I.

Go to Apps: In the left-hand menu, click on Apps.

Go to Installed Apps - On the right side, click on Installed apps.

Find and Uninstall Gemini - Scroll down the list and find "Gemini."

Click the three dots (...) next to its name.

Click Uninstall.

Follow any on-screen prompts to confirm the uninstall.

This removes the app completely from your computer. You can still use Gemini through your web browser anytime by going to gemini.google.com.

4 - Signing Out of Your Google Account (Privacy Focused)

While not about stopping resources, signing out of your Google account on the Gemini page ensures that your personal conversations aren't immediately accessible to anyone else using your computer.

Look for Your Profile Picture - In the top right corner of the Gemini page, you'll see your profile picture (or a letter).

Click Your Profile Picture - A menu will pop up.

Click "Sign out" - This will sign you out of your Google account on that browser.

You'll need to sign back in the next time you want to use Gemini or other Google services.

When to Use Which Method

Quick Pause - Just close the browser tab or app window (X button).

Total Resource Shutdown for Current Session - Use Task Manager to "End task" on the browser or Gemini app process.

Prevent Background Activity (for Installed Apps) - Change Background app permissions in Windows Settings to "Never."

Permanent Removal of the App - Uninstall the Gemini app from Windows Settings.

Now you're fully equipped to control Gemini's presence on your computer, from a quick pause to a complete shutdown! 

Stay safe, stay secure and let me know if anything is unclear!

(AI was used to aid in the creation of this article.)

"I'll see you again soon. Bye-bye and thanks for reading, watching, and listening.👋"