Google is investigating a bug in Chrome 78 that causes four processes of Software_reporter_tool.exe aka Chrome Cleanup to run on the relaunch of the browser where it should be one process running with 3 helper processes.
Users need no introduction about infamous Software_Reporter_Tool that has been baked into Chrome browser by Google to periodically scan for potentially unwanted software that causes damage to the Chrome browser and asks users for permission to remove unwanted software if found.
The Chrome Cleanup tool which can be run manually by users at any time by going to Settings > Advanced > Reset and cleanup or chrome://settigs/reset, uses the ESET Scan engine. User needs to click on find under “clean up computer” for Chrome to find harmful software on the computer.
Privacy-conscious users want to disable the Software Reporter Tool, Google allows to set a policy for the systems that joined Microsoft’s active directory domain, where end users can follow these steps to prevent it off from running. This bug may cause even annoyance on the tool.
According to the bug report filed by Google employee, the Chrome that hasn’t been launched for 7 days or when software Reporter Tool component updated manually by visiting chrome://components page can start four additional processes for SRT where it should be one process and three helper processes.
Related articles:
What is software_reporter_tool and why its there in Chrome Folder?
How to block or disable Google Chrome’s Software Reporter tool?
Chrome Cleanup tool no longer available for download, removed by Google