Google may expand Gemini Desktop permissions for broader computer use

Google’s Gemini Desktop app may soon get a lot more freedom on your computer. Its Tasks mode could reach into local folders and launch apps without asking permission at every step, according to TestingCatalog. What Google is building into Tasks mode The feature set falls under what Google calls “Computer Use.” It runs through the app’s Tasks mode. The idea is to let the Gemini agent work directly on the machine it’s installed on. That means reading specific local folders, controlling desktop apps, and running multi-step jobs without stopping to ask for approval at each turn. Signs of the capability first showed up in Gemini Desktop settings around August 18, 2026. Since then, developers appear to have been adding more detailed permission controls along with some safety features. One of those features is an optional backup. Before a task starts, the app can copy selected folders to Google Drive automatically. Users can also set app permissions individually, allowing or blocking Gemini’s access to particular programs. A rollout taking shape The Mac version of Gemini Desktop arrived earlier in 2026. The Windows version followed on September 11, 2026, opening the door to a much larger ...