Explain problems better with the Windows Problem Steps Recorder

The Problem Steps Recorder is an excellent tool for explaining problems to anyone offering help.

Click on the Start button, type psr and press enter. Move the Problem Steps Recorder window to where it won't get in the way.

Click on the Start Record button. Now repeat whatever actions were causing the problem. In this example we're going to enter the incorrect address for the Computeractive website and ask what the problem is.

The Problem Steps Recorder automatically takes a screen shot every time you click a mouse button. Notice the red dot that appears on the cursor. It doesn't respond to the keyboard so click the mouse button after typing to force a grab.

It is also possible to add comments to grabs. Click on the Add comment button, select the area of the screen you want to draw attention to and type in the box. Click on the OK button to save the comment and then continue with what you were doing.

Click on the Stop record button when you are finished. Find a location for the Problem Steps Recorder file, give it a name and click on Save.

The result is a compressed folder that contains a self-contained webpage. Double click on the compressed folder and then the MHTML file to see the report in your web browser.

You can see all of the screengrabs along with some extra details that can be used to help solve the problem. Notice how there is a description of what you did on each step, including your comment with the highlighted portion of the screen.

Email the compressed folder to whoever is helping you with the problem to give them as much information as possible.

By default the Problem Steps Recorder will record up to 25 screenshots. If you need to increase this, click on the small down arrow next to the help button and then click on the Settings option. Change 25 to a larger number and click on OK.