How to Remove Windows Error Reporting Files

What Causes This?

Windows Error Reporting (WER) files are created when apps, drivers, or Windows itself crash, freeze, or hit an unexpected error. These files store logs, memory dumps, and diagnostic data that help Microsoft and developers investigate problems. Over time, especially on older PCs or systems with repeated crashes, these reports can pile up and take up a noticeable amount of disk space.

Common Symptoms

• Storage space is lower than expected, especially on the C: drive
• Disk Cleanup shows a large amount of space used by "Windows Error Reporting Files"
• You notice folders related to crash reports or problem reports growing over time
• The PC has had recent app crashes, blue screens, or repeated Windows errors
• Temporary and system cleanup tools show leftover reporting data

How to Fix It Manually

1. Check how much space the files are using

   • Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   • Go to System > Storage.
   • Wait for Windows to calculate storage usage, then click Temporary files.
   • Look for entries such as Windows error reporting files, System created Windows Error Reporting, or similar labels.

2. Remove Windows Error Reporting files through Settings

   • In Temporary files, check the box for Windows error reporting files.
   • Review the list to make sure you are not selecting anything you want to keep.
   • Click Remove files.
   • Wait for the cleanup to finish, then restart your PC if prompted.

3. Use Disk Cleanup if the files still remain

   • Press Windows + S, type Disk Cleanup, and open it.
   • Select your C: drive and click OK.
   • Click Clean up system files.
   • Select C: again if asked.
   • In the list, check items like:
     • System archived Windows Error Reporting
     • System queued Windows Error Reporting
     • Windows Error Reporting Files
   • Click OK, then click Delete Files.

4. Clear the Problem Reports folder manually if needed

   • Open File Explorer with Windows + E.
   • Navigate to:
     • C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive
     • C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportQueue
   • If you do not see ProgramData, click View > Show > Hidden items.
   • Delete the contents of these folders, not the folders themselves.
   • If Windows says a file is in use, skip it and continue.

5. Delete per-user error reporting files

   • In File Explorer, go to:
     • %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\WER
   • Open the ReportArchive and ReportQueue folders if they exist.
   • Delete old report files inside them.
   • Empty the Recycle Bin afterward to actually free the space.

6. Check for the real cause if the files keep coming back

   • If new error reporting files appear every day, something is still crashing.
   • Open Reliability Monitor by pressing Windows + S, typing Reliability Monitor, and selecting View reliability history.
   • Look for repeated app failures, driver crashes, or Windows errors.
   • Update the affected app, reinstall the driver, or run Windows Update from Settings > Windows Update.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

If you do not want to hunt through hidden folders and cleanup tools, Kudu can scan your PC for leftover Windows Error Reporting files and remove them safely. It also helps identify the junk and crash leftovers that keep building up, so you can recover space faster without guessing what is safe to delete.

Download Kudu Free →