Community Newsletter: Q&A forum: 3/29/04 I don't want to send Microsoft a report, thanks

Question:
In Windows XP, every time a program crashes, a message
appears asking me if I want to send a report to Microsoft. I
don't. Is there any way for me to keep that friendly message
from appearing?

Submitted by: Brad D. of Columbia, TN



Answer:
Yes there is:

1. Right-click My Computer on the desktop if using the
classic Windows start menu (otherwise, right-click My
Computer on the start menu).
2. Click Properties.
3. In System Properties, go to the Advanced tab.
4. Click Error Reporting.
5. Click Disable error reporting.
6. It's optional whether you want to be informed of critical
Windows errors.
7. Click Ok > "Ok out of system properties," and this should
disable the error reporting.

Hope this helps

Submitted by: Lyn G. of Victoria, Australia

Thank you Lyn for a great submission!

Here are this weeks honorable mentions, thanks everyone!:

Answer:

Hi Brad:

It is easy to disable all or part of Error Reporting in Windows XP:
- On the Windows desktop, right-click My Computer.
- In the pop-up menu, select Properties.
- In System Properties, select the Advanced tab.
- Below the setting for Startup and Recovery, click the
Error Reporting button (bottom right).

Totally disable Error Reporting:
- Select Disable error reporting (you probably don't want
to disable "But notify me when critical errors occur").
- Click the OK button to close the Error Reporting dialog.

Selectively enable Error Reporting for Windows and/or
Programs (like Word):
- Report Windows only, select Enable error reporting and select
the Windows operation system option and click the OK button.
- Report Programs only, select Enable error reporting and select
the Programs option and click the OK button.
- Report Windows and programs, select Enable error reporting
and select both options.
- Click the OK button to close the Error Reporting dialog.

Finally, click the OK button to close the System Properties dialog.

Regards,

Mike G. British Columbia, Canada

Submitted by: Mike G. of British Columbia, Canada

*************************

Answer:

Enable/Disable Error Reporting in Windows XP
In an effort to make Windows XP a better and more stable operating system, Microsoft has included Error Reporting in the latest release. Whenever an application has to close because of an error, it asks that a report be sent to Microsoft for study and evaluation. Sending the report is optional, but users can benefit from the error log that is generated if they wish to study it or print a hard copy. If you find error reporting objectionable and want it disabled:


Open Control Panel.
Click on Performance and Maintenance.
Click on System.
Then click on the Advanced tab.
Click on the error-reporting button on the bottom of the windows.
Select Disable error reporting.
Click [OK] [OK]

Or

[Start] [Run] [Regedit]
Registry Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PCHealth\ErrorReporting
Modify/Create the Value Name according to the Value Data listed below.
Data Type: REG_DWORD [Dword Value] // Value Name: DoReport
Value Data: [0 = Dont Send Reports / 1 = Do Send Reports]
Exit Registry and Reboot

Submitted by: Ron L.

*************************

Answer:

The error reporting feature of Microsoft Windows XP has been found by many users to be annoying. Fortunately, it's quite easy to disable.

First, open the "Control Panel", which should be on your "Start Menu".

Your Control Panel could be set up to view in one of two ways: Classic or Category
If yours is set up with the "classic" view: simply open the "System" component.
If it is set up in "category" view: first click on "Performance and Maintenance" then click "See basic information about your computer."

Next, click on the "Advanced" tab of the System Properties dialog. (first row, all the way to the right)

Near the bottom of the Advanced dialog, just above the "Cancel" button, you'll find the "Error Reporting" button. Click it.

The first item in the Error Reporting dialog is a radio button labeled "Disable error reporting"
Click it.

Now just click "OK" on this dialog, then "OK" on the System Properties dialog, and you're all done! No more pesky boxes popping up asking if you want to report every little error to Microsoft! There are several options for error reporting if you would like to adjust your reporting to your liking without disabling it. You can also set it to notify *you* if there is a critical error without prompting you to also notify Microsoft. Use the handy context help (either by clicking the ? on the title bar, or by pressing the F1 key) to get more detail about the various options available to you in the Error Reporting Dialog.

I hope this was helpful and easy to follow. Don't be afraid to browse through your Control Panel settings. You may be surprised at all the things that can be modified to suit your personal computing style that are all accessible through the Control Panel. Good Luck!

Submitted by: Ginny P. of Indianapolis, IN