That annoying pop-up message from Microsoft that does nothing?

Question

You know that message you get when a program will not respond, so you click "Close Anyway" or something like that, then you get the "Send Error Report" message? What does that do? I think it's worthless. Okay, let's review: By clicking that button, you send a personal error report, which someone at Microsoft Corp. reads, but never contacts you back, and does nothing at all.

I think that message does nothing, I mean I bet that's just there to trick you into thinking that Microsoft is there for you, that they will get that error report, and that they will take action. I doubt that.

Any ideas?

Okay, I am sorry, but the first answer, "enable a pop-up blocker"? That is an insult to my intelligence. And this is an insult to yours. Do you really think that a pop-up blocker will be any help against Microsoft's built in software that is not a pop-up, but a message? I respect you for trying to help, but really.

Answer 1

Enable your pop-up blocker.

Answer 2

I am not a computer whiz, but thinking logically Microsoft has never claimed their software was perfect and proves it by providing updates every now and then. I believe the problems you, me and everyone else occasionally encounters that results in an option to send an error report are one of the tools that aids Microsoft to provide updates to fix the problem. I don't think the reports that you send are read like an email but probably counted as to the type of error you had, thus they would prioritize which things to fix.

Answer 3

Just disable the darn thing. It does nothing but annoy the user and consume system resources.

To enable or disable error reporting
1. Open System in Control Panel.
2. On the Advanced tab, click Error Reporting.
3. Click Disable error reporting or Enable error reporting.

Answer 4

It actually works, and Microsoft actually uses the data for fixes and patches. You can disable it though if you don't want it to pop up anymore. Right click on My Computer and go to Properties. Click on the Advanced tab and Error Reporting at the bottom. Click on Disable Error Reporting. They do not enter your computer, EVER.

Answer 5

That's not worthless at all, if you're program is crashing, then you willl 'End Now' so it doesn't crash your computer. The message after that is so you can send the error report and if they get enough of the same program error reports, they will make a patch for it.

Answer 6

first off my view

when you send that report, yes it does goto microsoft, and they basically receive millions and millions of these error reports, they're looking to see if there was a fault with their software which caused the failure, and if it was, they will correct it, release a patch etc etc

if it wasnt their software that caused the fault, then they just bin it, as they dont want to help their competitor.

then microsofts view and help topics

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/maintain/StartWER.mspx

contrary to other posters microsoft DOES NOT enter your computer as a result of sending these reports, as it does not state anything of the sort in any of its documents, microsoft would be doing ILLEGAL actions IF they did

Answer 7

duh. Bill Gates is overconfident. I prefer the guy from macintosh, forgot his name. When you get a microsoft computer, ya gotta download this, delete that, install this, yadayadayada. Microsoft is too busy updating the hardware instead of the software. In fact, i haven't seen any new microsoft computers. Then, when you get the internet, ya gotta connect this, then a pop up, and then, when you're just on the homepage, not responding. You know what? I think Microsoft is trying waste your electric bills. Bill Gates, that nut.

Answer 8

I would laugh but this happens to me most of the time as my computer is old and th Operating System (OS) needs to be upgraded and new security features downloaded from Microsoft Support. It is there for a reason. They are trying to hep you fix your computer BEFORE it crashes and you have to buy another one. Chances are, you are running OS XP-1 and it needs to be upgraded to OS XP-2. I have ordered a CD from Microsoft. I suggest you do the same or take it to a repair man and have it done.

You can order a CD or download it yourself at:
http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

Answer 9

Microsoft actually does try to fix the program. By you sending them that message. It enables them to get into your computer and try to fix the problem.

Answer 10

I guess this is a way that microsoft gather information from different users to see which problem occur the most and they will try to fix it first and put an update on their website.

Answer 11

They use it for statistical and OS improvement purposes. It sends information about what and how something crashed. If it's a widespread problem, they will release an update or hotfix to fix it. Or just use it to improve the next OS