While digging around, I found this very cool utility included with Windows 7. It is called “Problem Steps Recorder”.
The program allows you to record a set of actions, and then save it as a zip file, and allow someone else to see what you did.
This is perfect when trying to troubleshoot an issue, but you don’t have the ability to use remote control, or have access to the computer.
If you want someone to record their steps, you have them simply type the letters ‘psr’ in the start menu search:
See the psr.exe at the top, run that, and you can start recording. Make sure you right click and run it as administrator if you have any applications you want to show that also run as administrator
Once you are ready to start recording your steps, hit the record button
In my little test, I launched the Remote Desktop Client, and tried to connect to a problem server. When I had the error I even wrote a little note.
When I was finished, I stopped the recorder, and it saved the entire session as a zip file
It is pretty good at keeping that file small. The file could be emailed, and opened. Inside the zip is a ‘mht’ file that can be viewed with Internet Explorer.
You can see with my test record below, it shows screen shots for each click, and descriptions:
Even better, it provides a text description below all of the shots, with any notes that were added during the record.
Here is an excerpt of mine:
...
Problem Step 7: User Comment: "See - this is where I cannot connect!"
Program:
UI Elements:
...
In short, it is an awesome little utility built into Windows 7. It can save you tons of time when trying to diagnose something from far away, and the person using it does not even need to know how to take a screen shot.
