Chrome Cleanup tool which has been first offered as a separate download and later integrated into Chrome Settings to scan for unwanted software is no longer available, it has been quietly removed by Google, we can say it has been discontinued. Official Chrome Cleanup tool link now redirects you to this Chrome help page that contains information on how to remove unwanted ads, pop-ups & malware from your computer.
Google adds Chrome Cleanup Tool to Chrome Settings
Google removes download of Chrome Cleanup tool
If you able to get hold of Chrome Cleanup tool from any mirror sites after choosing download from author site as an option, when you try to run it you’ll receive an error saying “Manually running this program is no longer supported” which informs user to visit “https://support.google.com/chrome/?p=chrome_cleanup_tool for more information”, which also redirects to above said Chrome help page.
Chrome Cleanup tool which now uses ESET engine to scan for unwanted software on Windows has been recently integrated into Chrome Settings.
Google adds ESET Scan engine to Chrome Cleanup to remove more unwanted software on Windows
If you want to scan your computer for programs that manipulate Chrome new tab page, Search engine, and browser Settings, click on Chrome menu > Settings >Advanced > Reset and Cleanup > Cleanup computer.
You may want to uncheck ‘Report details to Google’ option before running the scan as this tool does send scan information such harmful software detected, your system settings and processes running on your computer when you performed the scan, to Google.
As long as Chrome is running without any surprising behavior, you can have that option available in Settings, but what if Chrome doesn’t open due to malware?
Before reinstalling Chrome, we feel manually downloading and running Chrome Cleanup tool helps the user to a certain extent. If you have this issue, then you may have to run Anti-Malware such as Malwarebytes and adwcleaner which are primarily good at removing adware that targets browsers.
READ: How to Remove Potentially Unwanted Programs using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
You may be interested to know what Software_Reporter_ tool.exe in Chrome folder is and what it is doing on your computer? And how to disable or block it from running? You can find answers to these by visiting the below links.
What is software_reporter_tool.exe and why it’s there in Chrome Folder?
How to block or disable Google Chrome’s Software Reporter tool?
Are you missing Chrome Cleanup tool download option? Let us know in the comments below.
So, internet security software (like KIS 18) is not enough to protect systems from malware…what you think ?
No you’ve not got the point, Google should not have removed the tool after integrating into Chrome Settings. Google has developed Chrome Cleanup tool and it maintains database of adware that troubles Chrome. And you should know everybody don’t use Internet security software like you.