Windows 7: Problem Steps Recorder overview

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So far, in our Windows 7 Overview series, we have published the following:

Over the next few weeks we will be adding many more focus items on Windows 7 including Touch, Windows 7 networking and media enhancements. Stay tuned for the ultimate Windows 7 focus from Neowin.net. Here is an overview of Problem Steps Recorder.

Microsoft recently published a demonstration of Problem Steps Recorder (PSR) in action. PSR allows users to record their issues and provide help desk support agents or friends/family with the result. The result is a ZIP file with a MHTML report of the actions a user has taken. The report is basically an automated set of screenshots with documentation of the steps the user took. I made a quick demonstration of the feature earlier, you can find the ZIP here.

You can launch this new feature under the troubleshooting section in control panel or by searching for psr.exe in the start menu. Check out the video below for a full overview.

#1 Chokes on 11 Jan 2009 - 20:27

This is awesome! That was about time!

#2 Glendi on 11 Jan 2009 - 20:39

That's cool o.o

I can't find it where though 0.0

#3 wdowell on 11 Jan 2009 - 20:43

Looks super useful. How many times have i had to scream down the telephone at my useless brother when he can't even find what I'm explaining to him?!

#4 Hidr0 on 11 Jan 2009 - 20:44

neat feature!

#5 PROGAME on 11 Jan 2009 - 20:45

imagine having something like this built in say... windows ME...

#6 DomZ on 11 Jan 2009 - 21:08

Another feature I didn't know about.

#7 Kevin. on 11 Jan 2009 - 21:39

What a very useful feature! Kudos to Microsoft for putting this one in!

#8 Kevinul on 11 Jan 2009 - 21:53

Holy... This could come in handy for future use. Although I can find it in the control panel, but "psr" is enough in the search tool to find it.

#9 _tux_ on 11 Jan 2009 - 22:20

an easier way to find it is to search for record in the start menu and select record steps to reproduce a problem

#10 redeemed on 11 Jan 2009 - 23:03

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snipped blog spam

Last edited by creamhackered on 12 Jan 2009 - 00:06

(1 reply) #11 Ledward on 11 Jan 2009 - 23:34

I just wonder how this will work on non-standard button controls, and buttons with images on them instead of a label?

#11.1 Nagi on 12 Jan 2009 - 01:01

It seems to take a screen shot on click, so just look for the mouse?

#12 +vlsi0n on 12 Jan 2009 - 01:50

Very useful, reduces the stress of helping friends and family over here. =]

#13 blake on 12 Jan 2009 - 02:09

How do I get to the Problem Steps Recorder? I had to search for it

(2 replies) #14 Primexx on 12 Jan 2009 - 10:29

how do we send this to MS?

#14.1 morphen on 12 Jan 2009 - 11:27

Primexx said,

I would guess you send the file in an email/IM/on a usb disk to your helpdesk/service personnel/support, not ms. this is not limited to MS software.

That is a ingenious feature

#14.2 GP007 on 12 Jan 2009 - 14:19

Innovation! There, I said it!

#15 Quillz on 18 Jan 2009 - 03:59

One of the best new features in Windows 7, I think. I like using it when I "Send feedback" to Microsoft.

#16 PsykX on 24 Jan 2009 - 17:47

Indeed, seems like an awesome feature. Even for a Mac user, I must admit that I am jealous, it's pretty well done. I thought it created a huge video file, but no it's simply taking a few screenshots and detailing them.

Now, just to see if I understood well : say I did something awesome in Photoshop and I want to make a tutorial to do the same thing. I could use this feature and just put the page on my website, right?
It won't happen because I don't have any website for now and I'm no longer good with PS, but just to know how far this option can go.

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Windows 7: Problem Steps Recorder overview

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