Browsers are increasingly complex beasts, and they are required to perform additional tasks to optimize and protect user sessions. The problem is that sometimes they don't do a good job, and you pay for it with performance. One recurring case is the Software Reporter Tool module built into Google Chrome. Many users blame this program for devouring resources, and if you are one of them, today we'll show you how to remove Software Reporter Tool, or its more direct alternative: trying to disable it.
Why Remove Software Reporter Tool?
Software Reporter Tool is one of the main pieces of the cleanup system in Google Chrome. This entire section is located under Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up. Here you can restore the browser to its factory defaults or clean your computer to locate malicious software that could affect Chrome's operation and, why not, the rest of your system. Google's help offers several examples, including unwanted ads, mysterious toolbars, fake virus alerts, homepage hijacking, and changing the default search engine.
It's a good idea in theory, however... many users on the Web swear that Software Reporter Tool destroys the performance of their computers. It is also accused of creating multiple instances that never close, and sending telemetry to Mountain View adds a privacy drawback. It is supposed to run automatically and go unnoticed, but if you have come to the conclusion that you must remove Software Reporter Tool, maybe this helps.
How to Remove Software Reporter Tool
- The first step is to go to Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up, enter Clean up computer, and uncheck the box to send a report. This only reduces telemetry, so you need to continue.
- Another possibility is to remove its permissions. Locate the executable software_reporter_tool.exe (usually in C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\SwReporter\VersionNumber), open its properties, go to the Security tab, click on Advanced Options, and finally on Disable Inheritance. Another click on Remove All Permissions, and apply to confirm.
- Next, there is the recommendation to modify Chrome policies through the Registry. You will need to open the editor (you know, regedit.exe) and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies. There you need to create two keys: one called Google, and another inside Google with the name Chrome.
- Once in Google\Chrome, you must create two DWORD values: ChromeCleanupEnabled and ChromeCleanupReportingEnabled. Both values must be set to 0. Restart your computer.
gpedit.msc to the Rescue
- If you have a Pro edition of Windows, you can always use its software restriction policies to prevent Software Reporter Tool from running. Open gpedit.msc, then go to Computer Configuration > Security Settings > Software Restriction Policies. Right-click and choose New Software Restriction Policies. Once created, go to Additional Rules, right-click again, and choose New Path Rule.
- The key here is to create the correct rule. In general rules, the format is C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\SwReporter\*\*.exe. The most important part is the last part, the *\*.exe. As you've noticed, Software Reporter Tool is saved in subfolders numbered by version, so there could be systems with multiple copies. By using that wildcard *\*.exe, we are indicating that all executables in all subfolders within SwReporter should be blocked. Use our image as a reference, and restart your computer when you're done.
- Finally, the simplest: Try to delete the file. Close Chrome, go to the Software Reporter Tool folder, and make its executable fly into the air. Personally, I don't recommend this action for one simple reason...
In Summary: You Can't Win
Removing Software Reporter Tool may seem relatively simple at first, but we are fighting with Google here. Each new Chrome update drags with it the possibility that the tool will reinstall itself in a different path.
The combination of removing permissions and blocking the executable with gpedit.msc is the most effective, but if you don't have a Pro version of Windows, purging permissions should be sufficient. To close, a reminder: Software Reporter Tool is exclusive to Chrome, and there are many Chromium flavors out there that can replace it. Good luck!
