Disabling Error Reporting In Windows XP: Article 001

Despite the increased stability of Microsoft XP, your applications are still going to crash, and when they do, Microsoft wants to know about it. XP asks you if you want to send a bug report with your crash information along to Microsoft so the company can fix it.

"Screw That!" I say.

First, the question alone is a disruptive nuisance. Second, you are sending a little more than you think you are.

Microsoft collects information about the conditions of the crash, content from open documents and running applications, as well as your product ID and IP address. There is the potential to send individual, identifiable, even sensitive content that can be matched up with your name and registered information.

You can read more about Microsoft's error reporting tool, what it collects, and how it is used here.

I don't think Microsoft is really going to sift through all those responses and prosecute individuals for their less-than-model behavior, but the idea is annoying and the pop-ups are intrusive. Fortunately, they are easy to turn off.

 

  1. Right-click on My Computer

  2. Select properties

  3. Click on Advanced

  4. Choose Error Reporting

  5. Check the box to disable error reporting.

Your done!  Now you can rest easy knowing that Microsoft isn't breathing down your neck. 

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