How to Disable Windows Error Reporting and Problem Steps Recorder

What Causes This?

Windows Error Reporting and Problem Steps Recorder are built-in troubleshooting features. Error Reporting collects crash and app failure data and may send it to Microsoft, while Problem Steps Recorder can capture screenshots and actions during a troubleshooting session. If you do not use these tools, they can create unnecessary logs, saved recordings, or background activity that you may want to disable for privacy, cleanup, or system tidiness.

Common Symptoms

• Windows keeps generating crash or problem report files
• You see prompts asking to send error information to Microsoft
• Problem Steps Recorder saves ZIP files with screenshots you no longer need
• Extra diagnostic files are taking up space on your PC
• You want to reduce background data collection or troubleshooting logs

How to Fix It Manually

1. Turn off Windows Error Reporting in Services

   1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, then press Enter.
   2. In the Services window, scroll down to Windows Error Reporting Service.
   3. Double-click it.
   4. Set Startup type to Disabled.
   5. If the service is currently running, click Stop.
   6. Click Apply, then OK.

2. Disable Windows Error Reporting through Group Policy
   If you have Windows Pro, Enterprise, or Education:

   1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
   2. Go to:
      Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Error Reporting
   3. Double-click Disable Windows Error Reporting.
   4. Select Enabled.
   5. Click Apply, then OK.

3. Disable Windows Error Reporting through Registry Editor
   Use this if Group Policy is not available:

   1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
   2. Go to:
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting
   3. If the Windows Error Reporting key does not exist, create it.
   4. In the right pane, right-click and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
   5. Name it Disabled.
   6. Double-click it and set the value to 1.
   7. Click OK, then restart your PC.

4. Disable or stop using Problem Steps Recorder

   1. Press Windows + S, type Steps Recorder, and open it.
   2. If it is currently recording, click Stop Record.
   3. Click the drop-down arrow next to the help icon or open Settings if available.
   4. Reduce or disable recent screen captures if you do not need them.
   5. Close the app.
      Problem Steps Recorder does not usually run all the time, but disabling access and deleting old recordings helps prevent unnecessary stored data.

5. Delete old Problem Steps Recorder files

   1. Open File Explorer with Windows + E.
   2. Check folders like Downloads, Documents, and Desktop for saved .zip recordings.
   3. Delete any old Steps Recorder files you no longer need.
   4. Empty the Recycle Bin.

6. Remove old error report files

   1. Press Windows + R, type %ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\WER, and press Enter.
   2. Open folders such as ReportArchive and ReportQueue.
   3. Delete old report files if they are no longer needed.
   4. You can also run Disk Cleanup by searching for it in Start, then selecting temporary error reporting files if listed.

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