Software Reporter Tool is a Google Chrome standalone process that monitors your Chrome install and reports if any add-ons are interfering with the normal functioning of the browser. The tool isn’t connected to the web but mainly used by the browser to recognize programs that may conflict with it. It’s visible as a 54Kb executable named “software_reporter_tool.exe“. If you face a high CPU usage for this process or if you frequently see a message Google Chrome Software Reporter Tool has stopped working, you might want to disable or remove it. Here is how you can do it.
The user is completely unaware of the existence of this component unless and until the user deliberately searches for a software reporter tool. So the question is, what is the role of this Chrome add-on? Basically, Google Chrome’s software reporter tool is an executable file that runs once a week and reports the scanned results to Chrome. To be precise, the tool scans the system to check for unwanted software applications that may be interfering with the Chrome browsing experience. Also, the tool reports to Chrome about unexpected advertisements or during incidents like site crashes. Based on the reports, Chrome then prompts the user to run the Chrome cleanup tool as part of the scanning process.
Where is Chrome Software Reporter Tool
Primarily, the Software reporter tool is the executable file that is present in the Chrome app data folder as Software_reporter_tool.exe. The Chrome app data folder contains information about the user’s Chrome profile like browser settings, bookmarks, saved passwords, and other users’ information. Amid these many user data, the .exe file is visible under the SwReporter folder in the Chrome app data folder.
UPDATE:
Google has removed the Software Reporter Tool, also known as Chrome Cleanup Tool, from Chrome v 111.
READ:
Is Chrome Reporter Tool Safe to use
As a user, you may be apprehensive about privacy. If you are unsure about your network privacy, you can check the authenticity of the tool by simply moving the cursor on the .exe file. You may notice that the component is digitally signed by Google with the file description as the Chrome Cleanup Tool or Software Removal Tool. So this tool is completely safe. It is worth mentioning that the reporting tool doesn’t have any network communication. The only job of this tool is to report Chrome about the software that may not be working conventionally with the Chrome browser.
Chrome Software Reporter Tool vs Chrome Cleanup Tool
In other words, the Software reporter tool is associated with the Chrome cleanup tool. Yes, you got it right! Both tools are identical. Then you might be wondering what could be the need to have them as a separate tool? According to Google, the software reporter tool reports the scans to Chrome and is based on the scanned reports. The Chrome browser prompts the user to remove the unwanted software through the Chrome cleanup tool.
While the tool helps in removing obstacles that could hurdle the browser experience, many users are mainly worried about its enormous CPU consumptions on running the tool in the background. The tool could run approximately 20 minutes which may slow down your other activity in the system. It’s worth stating that, unless you run the third-party software that constitutes a problem on a regular basis, this tool may not be a source of the intrusion.
Disable Google Chrome Software Reporter Tool
You find the Software Reporter Tool under the following path in Windows 10 and older versions of Windows:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\SwReporter\<versionnumber>\software_reporter_tool.exe
While it is simple and pretty straightforward to remove, uninstall or delete the content of the entire folder or rename the executable file itself, doing so offers only temporary relief as Google starts pushing the Software Reporter Tool to the system back again whenever you update the web browser.
So, a more viable option is to remove permissions so that no user has access to the folder.
To do this, do the following,
Right-click on the folder SwReporter and select Properties from the menu.
Next, in the Properties dialog box that appears, switch to the Security tab.
Next, select Advanced and choose the “Disable inheritance” option.
Next, click on the option “Remove all inherited permissions from this object” in the Block Inheritance window. When confirmed, the action will remove all inherited permissions from this object.
Finally, select Apply and hit the OK button.
Now no other user will have access to the Software Reporter Tool, and hence no updates would be applied to it.
What are the advantages & disadvantages of the Software Reporter Tool?
Software Reporting tools are not new; they are used in all software and are also called diagnostics tools, each with its own reporting method. Chrome’s Software Reporter tool is useful because they allow one to track any problems in Chrome back to Google’s Team. It helps to fix the reasons behind bugs and crashes.
On the other side, sometimes these tools can be notorious, and result in high CPU usage and ironically result in a crash or annoyance. So if the bug reporting is too often and is not allowing you to use Chrome with its continuous prompt, you may want to disable it.
FAQ: Google Chrome Software Reporter Tool
Here is the list of FAQs around Google’s Chrome Software reporter tool.
Is Software Reporter Tool required?
Yes. It can find bugs and report back with crashes to Chrome Team. They can analyze the report and fix the problem in the next release. It can also help figure out the unwanted programs which may be unnecessary on your computer.
While the end-users may feel they don’t need it, Windows also offers such a tool that keeps collecting crash reports in the background, helps clean up the computer by finding junk, etc.
How can one make Chrome use less CPU?
Less number of tabs, a few optimizations, removing unnecessary Google Chrome add-on, and many other things you can do. So yes, it is possible to reduce the CPU load. Follow our easy guide on how to achieve this if the CPU usage increases.
Can the user delete the Software Reporter tool EXE?
You cannot officially remove it, but you can always disable it. Even if you manage to delete the exe, it will be replaced in the next update. So it is not suggested to make attempts to delete the Google Software reporting software for Chrome. If you remove it, you will not find unwanted software applications, which could help resolve problems such as CPU usage or disk usage.
How can the users upgrade Chrome?
Upgrading Chrome is easy. Click on the menu on the top-right of the browser, and then Settings. Go to the About Chrome section, and if there is an update, it will prompt you about it. Update and relaunch the browser.
Does Windows Software Reporter Tool also face high CPU usage issues?
Yes. Like any other, its a software, and if there is a bug which keeps happening or results in a lot of crash, it can spike the resource usage as seen on the task manager. There are incidents where Windows Disgantic tools have caused issues. However, Windows offers a plethora of options to reduce usage. Of course, there are other reasons why the CPU usage may increase, and antivirus software is one of the most commonly reported usages.
Is the Chrome cleanup tool available for Mac?
No, the browser doesn’t offer any cleanup tool. Unlike Windows, Mac is a restricted OS. It is not easy for any software to fix things without proper permission unless it’s a legit process or approved application.
How can I use the Chrome cleanup tool for Android?
You cannot use it on Android because the tool is not offered on the mobile platform. Google technically owns the platform and offers all optimization tools that can help to improve the Chrome experience and keep the harmful software programs at bay.
