If you have noticed the Software Reporter Tool under the Chrome process in the Task Manager, you might be wondering what’s this software causing high CPU usage even when you don’t have any tabs open in Google Chrome.

According to Google, the Software Reporter Tool comes bundled with the Google Chrome web browser and acts as a Chrome Cleanup tool. The tool is designed to remove any software and extension that interferes with the user’s browsing experience.

In this article, we show you how to block the Software Reporter Tool associated with the Chrome browser causing high CPU usage in Windows 10.

Stop Chrome Software Reporter Tool from using CPU resources

1. Block using Software Reporter Tool properties

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location:
   C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data
2. Right-click on the SwReporter folder and select Properties.
3. In the SwReporter Properties window, open the Security folder.
4. Click the Advanced button at the bottom.
5. Click the Disable Inheritance button.
   
6. Select the Remove all inherited permissions for this object option.
7. Click Apply and click Yes when the security prompt appears.
8. Click OK to save the changes.
9. Once again, click on OK once more to apply the changes.

This will remove any access any group had to the Software Reporter Tool folder. This method is a better approach to disabling the Software Reporter Tool, due to the fact that even if Chrome installs new updates, the folder permission will not change, hence the tool remains blocked.

However, at times you may find the Enable Inheritance button instead of Disable Inheritance, which means the permissions are already revoked for the folder. In such cases, you can use the Registry Editor to disable the Software Reporter Tool.

2. Block using Registry Editor

1. Press Windows Key + R.
2. Type regedit in the Run box and click OK.
3. In Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
4. You can copy-paste the above path in Registry Editor to access the keys.
5. Right-click on the Chrome key.
6. Select New > DWord (32-bit) Value.
7. Name the new DWord as ChromeCleanupEnabled.
8. Double-click on ChromeCleanupEnabled.
   
9. Enter 0 in the Value field.
10. Right-click on the Chrome key again.
11. Select New > DWord (32-bit) Value.
12. Name the DWord value as ChromeCleanupReportingEnabled.
13. Double-click on ChromeCleanipReportingEnabled and enter 0 in the Value field.
14. Close Registry Editor.

That should disable the Chrome Software Reporter Tool in Windows. Launch Chrome and check in the Task Manage if the aforementioned tool still eating up your CPU resources.

What is a Chrome Software Reporter Tool?

The Software Reporter Tool is designed to remove any software that creates issues with Chrome including crashes, modified startups, and suspicious ads.

According to Google, the Software Reporter Tool scan the computer’s hard drive and send the report to Chrome. Chrome then decides if the user should be prompted to take action.

Should I remove the Chrome Software Reporter Tool?

While the Software Reporter Tool is a safety mechanism, it does lead to high system usage during the initial scan or when the user launches Google Chrome and can last as long as 20 minutes.

The tool may also pose privacy concerns for users due to the nature of scanning and report being sent to Google.

That said, the mean reason for blocking the tool has to be the high CPU usage caused by the tool. Unless you have installed suspicious software, you may safely block the tool using the methods above.