The Google Chrome Software Reporter Tool is an executable (.exe) file that runs once a week to detect unauthorized applications that might interrupt your Chrome browser. This is another process that protects your privacy and keeps your sensitive information safe.
Perhaps you accidentally saw this process in the task manager and didn’t think about it. This article has everything you need to know about this tool.
What is the software reporter tool?
Google Chrome Software Reporter Tool is a Google Chrome process that monitors Chrome installations and notifies the user if there is a conflict between the browser and the plug-in, if any.
This tool is used to detect any issues that create clutter on the internet and remove rogue software from the system. You can find this executable in Windows Task Manager as software_reporter_tool.exe.
This reporting tool provides reports to the user if the browser encounters an unexpected ad or website crash. Just like COM Surrogate and Runtime Broker, this can also cause your CPU usage to skyrocket. The executable is located in the Google Chrome user data folder as Software reporter tool.exe.
The Chrome app data folder contains information about users, device settings, passwords, and bookmarks. This is in
C:\Users\ <username>\ AppData\ Local\ Google\ Chrome\ User Data\ SwReporter\ <version number>.
Why is the Chrome Software Reporter tool using high CPU usage?
Many reports and small studies have brought to light the fact that many Windows users are reporting that Software Reporter Tool.exe causes high CPU usage on their computers. There are reports complaining that this executable uses about 60% of system memory. It’s quite normal for a tool to use 15-20% of the CPU, but you should be worried about something more.
When the Software Reporter tool starts, it searches for files and prepares reports for the Chrome browser. This task runs once a week for more than 20 minutes. Since this is a lengthy process, it may require a significant amount of memory to run.
Is Chrome Software Reporter Tool a virus?
No, Software Reporter is anything but a virus. There have been no known reports of this tool or executable misbehaving or being used as a front for malware. This executable looks more like antivirus software than a virus.
Is the Chrome Software Reporter Tool required?
The Software Reporter Tool is an integral part of the Chrome browser and operating system. This is an absolute must for people who work with many other third party applications who can run into issues at any time.
Also, if you are worried about accessing this tool from the web, stop worrying. There is no reason for the Software Reporter Tool to be accessed or accessed via the Internet. This is very necessary as it can identify fraudulent sites or any problems that occur on the Internet and provide you with reports about it.
These issues can be fixed with the Google Cleanup Tool or Software Removal Tool. This process only takes a few minutes to scan your computer and remove malicious files. The following figure shows the uninstall tool developed by Microsoft. This should not be confused with the Google Chrome Cleanup Tool.
Are Chrome Cleanup Tool and Software Reporter Tool the Same Thing?
When you launch the Software Reporter tool, you may notice that it looks similar to the Chrome cleanup tool. This is because they go hand in hand. The Chrome Cleanup Tool was formerly known as the Google Chrome Software Removal Tool.
Both serve the same purpose of detecting malware and removing it. The Reporter tool finds the harm and the Chrome Cleanup Tool removes it from your computer. The Chrome Cleanup tool is just as effective, too. The Chrome browser also reminds the user to run a cleanup regularly for security reasons.
Can I disable Software_reporter_tool.exe?
Yes, users can disable the Software Reporter tools on their computers despite Chrome providing the tool. It should be disabled without fail under certain circumstances.
There are also many reasons why the Reporter software needs to be removed from computers. The next paragraph explains why you need to disable the Software Reporter Tool.
Why should you disable Google Chrome Software Reporter Tool?
The Software Reporter Tool is a valuable executable that appears when you download Google Chrome. You may get a pop-up saying “Reporter tool has stopped working”if it runs into problems.
But you may need to take a look at the following reasons why software_reporter_tool.exe will need to be stopped and disabled before serious consequences occur.
- The software uninstaller uses a lot of RAM.
This may increase the power consumption of your computer. High CPU usage is not safe for your processor as it can heat it up and damage it.
- User privacy concerns may arise
Once the software scan is complete, the tool sends the report details to Google for further reference or solutions. This may cause some users to worry that their privacy may be compromised by the connection between Google and the Software Reporter Tool. You can disable this feature if you don’t want to send reports to Google. This is available in the Chrome settings.
- A computer can run multiple program reports.
There is a possibility that you have more than one reporting software executable running on your computer. If one of them can cause high CPU usage, imagine how much stress your computer’s memory would be if four or more of them could.
- There is a better antivirus software
If you already have an antivirus installed on your computer, there is no need for the Software Reporter tool. The antivirus will perform the same function as the tool, and even more. Users will have to run regular scans of their systems to prevent threats and quarantine existing threats.
How to disable Software_Reporter_Tool.exe?
There are 5 different ways to disable the Software Reporter Tool on a Windows computer. You may see an error message pop up that says “Google Chrome Software Reporting Tool has stopped working”. Please try again if you encounter this. Here are the methods by which you can disable this tool.
Fix 1: SwReporter folder method
- Open the following location in File Explorer.
C:\Users\ <Username>\ AppData\ Local\ Google\ Chrome\ User Data
- Right-click on the folder named SwReporter and select Properties from the bottom of the pop-up menu.
- On the Security tab, click the Advanced button.
- Select “Disable Inheritance”in the “Advanced Security Options for SwReporter”window.
- In the window that opens, select Remove all inherited permissions from this object.
- Click “Apply”and “OK”.
If you still have Windows 7 installed, the user interface may change slightly. Once you click the Advanced button on the Security tab, the steps and button names are slightly different from those in Windows 10.
- You will see a Change Permissions button instead of a Disable Inheritance button. Click here.
- Clear the Enable inheritable permissions from this object’s parent check box.
- In the pop-up window that appears, select Delete.
Once these updates are done, no one else will be able to access or update the Software Reporter tool.
Fix 2: Delete Entire Executable Folder
- Open the Run program on your Windows computer (Ctrl + R).
- Enter the following in the Open Text field:
%localappdata%\Google\Chrome\Данные пользователя\SwReporter
The next location in File Explorer will open. It contains only one folder. On this Windows 10 PC, the version number folder is 89.257.200. You may have a different folder name on your computer.
- Right click on it and delete the whole folder. Deleting this folder will not affect the Chrome browser. As soon as the user updates Chrome, this folder is installed again.
Fix 3: Remove the contents of the Reporter Tool software.
- Open notepad.
- Select “Open”from the “File”menu.
- In the browse window, enter this file location:
%localappdata%\Google\Chrome\Данные пользователя\SwReporter
- Select software_reporter_tool.exe and select Open.
- You will see a lot of gibberish content. Delete it all and save the file.
This is different from the “Right click and delete”step. This file will also be replaced with the next Chrome update. This is also a temporary way to disable Software Reporter on your computer.
Fix 4: Remove Google Access Permission
If you want to permanently disable the tool, you must remove Google permissions. Once this is done, neither users nor Google will be able to use this tool. Even after updates this will not change. This will help if you want to permanently disable the Software Reporter Tool.
- Open the Run program.
- Enter the following in the “Open”text box,
%localappdata%\Google\Chrome\Данные пользователя\SwReporter
- Locate the SwReporter folder, right-click it, and select Properties from the drop-down menu.
- On the Security tab, select Advanced.
- In the window that opens, select “Disable inheritance”and then “Remove all inherited permissions from this object.”
- Click the “Apply”button after removing the inherited permissions one by one.
- Then select “Yes”in the “Security”window.
- Close the windows and you’re done.
Fix 5: Disabling Scan Tool
The Software Reporter Tool can also be disabled using the Windows Registry and the Grou Policy Editor. This method is recommended if you are a system administrator. This is how users can kill this tool using the Group Policy Editor.
- Download the Google policy template and extract the compressed files to a folder.
- Once the extraction is complete, you will see two files namely Google.admx and Chrome.admx. Copy these files and paste them into C:\WIndows\PolicyDefinitions\<folder>.
- Find Google.adml and Chrome.adml. Copy these files and paste them into C;\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-us\.
- When you’re done copying and pasting, open the Group Policy Editor by opening the Run command and typing gpedit.msc. Run this command.
- The Local Group Policy Editor window opens. This is the policy editor for Windows 10. Find this:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Google > Google Chrome.
- Disable the Turn on Chrome cleanup in Windows option.
After completing these steps, users and Google will not be able to run the Software Reporter Tool.
Here’s how to disable the Software Reporter Tool on Windows computers. This program may prevent Google from removing issues on your computer and accessing the tool.
Conclusion
The Software Reporter tool is a tool that scans the computer for unauthorized applications, unwanted software from the system or files and provides the user with reports on their presence. This executable file, called software reporter tool.exe, can find any problems that occur on the Internet and develop solutions to fix them.
This very useful tool comes with the entire Google Chrome package. This anti-malware tool for Chrome is completely safe to use. This tool runs once a week. But running this tool may increase your computer’s disk space usage, and you can disable it.
There are other reasons to disable this tool. While this program has its downsides, it is quite useful and essential for Chrome users who browse a lot of new sites, add-ons, and third-party software. In short, it is quite useful for users who use Chrome browsers on their devices.
FAQ
What is the Reporter software tool?
The Software Reporter Tool (software_reporter_tool.exe) is a security enhancement software that monitors content from the Internet and notifies the user when the plug-in interferes with the web browser if it detects a threat.
Do I need a software reporter?
This is required for users who view and use web browser plug-ins while browsing the web. If you don’t need it, or if you find this tool interfering, you can disable it.
Is it possible to disable the Chrome Software Reporter tool?
Yes, the Software Reporter tool can be disabled by the user if it detects that an executable is causing high CPU usage.
How to disable the Google Software Reporter tool?
There are five ways to disable the Software Reporter tool, either permanently or for a short period of time. Disable inheritance. Deleting the folder with the executable file. Removing the content of the reporting tool. Denied access to Google. Disabling the Scan Tool. Disable it only if absolutely necessary.