Most of us have had the frustrating experience of trying to explain some kind of problem with our computer to someone over the phone. It’s often hard to relate what the problem really is in words unless you know a whole lot about computers. There’s a simple solution that’s already available on your Windows 7 and 8 computer. It’s called Problem Steps Recorder and it could be the best-kept secret of Windows. Here’s how to use it:
In Windows 7, type psr in the search box in your start menu. Then click the icon for Problems Steps Recorder.
In Windows 8, type Steps Recorder in the search charm and click the icon.
The problem steps recorder will open. It’s just a little bar that at the top of your screen. Click or tap the record button and then go through the process that’s causing you an issue on your computer. The recorder will capture all of it.
When you’re finished, press Stop record.
A window will open giving you the option to name the file and save the recording as a ZIP file.
Once you save the file, you can click on it to open in your browser.
What you’ll see is a detailed report featuring screenshots of every action you took and the results.
Plus a full log of what was going on while this happened.
You can easily e-mail this report to tech support (or the editor of your favorite newsletter) to show step-by-step what the problem is. Just attach the file to an e-mail.
This feature can make it much easier for you to explain an issue and for tech support to understand what’s really going on.
~ Cynthia
Thank you very much. I am not aware of any problems at this time. This item will at some point be very helpful.
I’ve know worldstart.com back late 90’s though being top-notch I never return much & never commented until right now, so here it goes >
It looks like “psr” must records anything done on PC.
So if problems can be ID – then why not rec your own Pc tips OR anything & everything you want, if that’s right! Also whenever I get to solve a problematic mind bending PC problem I type out my own step by step notes & save them in a MS-word doc. It sure does save you next time rounds.
Nice tip Cnthia. I have seen this before but never needed it, so far. I wonder do you know that it does if the problem causes a crash and reboot? Does it keep recording or autmatically save the recording? I suspect not usually on most systems when a crash happens it is too late to save diagnostic information like this, though many systems do create dumps that can be sent to support.
The ‘Best, Best-kept secret of Windows’, is that it can be downloaded for ‘Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows XP’. see: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=22292
Who would of thought Microsoft would bring out a great tool and keep it a secret, Vista users needed this since SP1. What’s up with that?
Sorry all, the previous download comment is only a ‘Video’ of how to use PSR and not the actual app., Awwww!
Excellent. Can this also be used to log problems between IE, Comcast and in particular Comcast email?