How to use the Problem Steps Recorder

Problem Steps Recorder is a FREE Microsoft tool utility (feature) included in MS Windows 7 operating system. This tool you can use to automatically capture the steps you take on a computer, including a text description of where you clicked and a picture of the screen during each click (called a screen shot). Once you capture these steps, you can save them to a file that can be used by a support professional or someone else helping you with a computer problem.

This is a fantastic tool to help you, the user to capture the steps you have taken on your computer and how the problems have occurred. You can also use the tool to record you screen while you installing software or troubleshooting any application on your computer or if you trying to create documentation how you did it 😉


NOTICE: While you are recording the steps on your computer anything you are typing will not be recorded. If the notes are imported to your recording session you should use the comment feature in the Problem Steps Recorder as it is described bellow.


How do I start this Problem Steps recorder?:

1. Open Problem Steps Recorder by clicking the Start button , and then typing psr. In the list of results, click psr.
2. Click Start Record.
3. When you want to add a comment, click Add Comment.
4. Use your mouse to highlight the part of the screen that you want to comment on, type your text in the Highlight Problem and Comment box, and then click OK.
5. Click Stop Record.
6. In the Save As dialog box, type a name for the file, and then click Save.
   The file is being saved as ZIP file. To view the record of the steps you recorded, open the .zip file you just saved, and then double-click the file. The document will open in your browser.

This tool can be found on ALL Microsoft Windows 7 editions.