FIX: Software Reporter Tool causes high CPU usage in Windows 10. (Solved)
If you are experiencing high CPU usage problem with the Chrome Software Reporter Tool in Windows 10, then in this guide you will find some effective methods that can help you solve the problem.
Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers, thanks to the wide array of features it offers. Chrome's Software Reporting Tool is a legitimate service that helps the browser identify conflicting applications/processes.
However, the Chrome Software Reporter tool can sometimes use excessive system resources (resulting in high CPU usage) and bog down the computer instead. This causes the computer to work slowly, even when you are not actively using Google Chrome. Lucky for you, we have compiled a list of solutions that other users found effective in this guide.
How to FIX High CPU Usage issue caused by Chrome Software Reporter Tool.
Method 1. Update Google Chrome and Clear Cache.
1. Launch Chrome and click on the three dots menu  button on the top-right corner of the window. Then select Settings from the context menu.
2. In the next window, click on About Chrome and make sure that Chrome is updated to its latest build.
3. Let Chrome to update and once the update is installed, relaunch Chrome and check if the issue is resolved. If not…
4. …Click on the More button again and this time, select More Tools > Clear browsing data.
5. Now select All time in "Time range" and then check all the categories displayed on your screen. When done, hit Clear data.
6. Once the deletion is done, restart Chrome and check if the problem is resolved.
Method 2. Disable Software Reporter Tool in Chrome Settings.
1. From Chrome three dots menu select Settings.
2a. Now expand the Advanced option in the left pane and select System.
2b. Disable the Continue Running Background Apps When Google Chrome is Closed in the right pane.
3. Next, select Reset and clean up from the left pane and click on Clean up computer.
5. Uncheck the option "Report details to google about harmful software, system settings, and processes during the cleanup"
6. Finally, relaunch Chrome and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 3. Delete or Rename the Software Reporter Tool .EXE File
1. Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC to open Task Manager.
2. Right-click on Google Chrome and select End task to close all the tasks related to Chrome.
3a. Now press the Windows + R keys together to open the Run dialogue box.
3b. In the text field of the dialogue box, type the following and hit Enter.
- %localappdata%\Google\Chrome\User Data\SwReporter
4. Now open the folder named with the Chrome version and delete or rename the software_reporter_tool file to something else like "OldSoftwareReporterTool.exe".
5. Finally, reboot your PC and check if the error is resolved.
Method 4. Chrome Software Reporter Tool causes high CPU usage Change Permissions of the Software Reporter Tool Folder.
You may need to edit the permissions of the Software Reporter Tool folder if deleting or renaming the EXE file of Software Reporter Tool did not solve your problem.
1. Open Task Manager and terminate Google Chrome task as instructed above.
2a. Now press Windows + R keys together to open the Run dialogue box.
2b. Type the following in the text field and hit Enter:
- %localappdata%\Google\Chrome\User Data\
3. Next, right-click on the SwReporter folder and select Properties from the context menu.
4. Go to the Security tab and click on the Advanced button.
5. Hit the Disabled inheritance button and then select ‘Remove All Inherited Permissions from This Object’.
6. Finally, click Apply and restart your PC.
Method 5. FIX Chrome Software Reporter Tool high CPU usage issue by Modifying Registry.
If none of the methods mentioned above works for you, then try to block the execution of the Software Reporter Tool in Windows Registry. This can be done, by using one of the following ways:
Way 1: Use the Policies Key to Disable the Execution of Software Reporter Tool.
1. Open Task Manager and terminate Google Chrome task as instructed above.
2a. Press Windows + R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open a Run dialogue box.
2b. Type regedit and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. In Registry Editor, navigate to the location mentioned below.
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies
4a. Right-click on Policies and select the New > Key option.
4b. Rename the new key as "Google"
5a. Now right-click on the Google key and select the New > Key option again.
5b. Rename this key as Chrome.
6a. Next, select the Chrome key on the left and right-click anywhere in the right pane. 6b. Then select the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option.
6c. Rename this newly created value as ChromeCleanupEnabled.
6d. Double-click on ChromeCleanupEnabled and type 0 under Value data. Hit Enter to save the changes.
7a. Once done, right-click in the right pane again and select the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option.
7b. Rename this value as ChromeCleanupReportingEnabled
7c. Open the newly created value, set the Value Data to 0 and click OK
8. Close the Registry Editor, reboot your PC check if the issue is resolved.
Way 2. Use the DisallowRun Key to Block the Execution of Software Reporter Tool
1. Open the Registry Editor as described above and navigate to the following location:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
2a. Right-click on Explorer key and select New > Key *
* Note: If the "Explorer" key does not exist, right-click on the Policies key, select New > Key and name the key as "Explorer" (without quotes).
2b. Name this key as DisallowRun.
3a. Next, right-click on DisallowRun and select the New > String Value option.
3b. Rename the new string value as 1
3c. Open the newly created string value, type Software_Reporter_Tool.exe in value data and hit Enter.
4. Close Registry Editor and reboot your PC.
That's it! Which method worked for you?
Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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