Does MER (Microsoft Error Reporting) or WER (Windows Error Reporting) generate a globally unique identifier (GUID)? e.g.: Possible Registry Entry: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting\ Name: MachineID Type: REG_SZ Data: F6A32EE9-6217-4961-AA70-8A1D5E7F0C36 On the web page (http://oca.microsoft.com/en/dcp20.asp) it states that "Starting with the Windows 7 operating system, MER generates a globally unique identifier (GUID) that is stored on your computer and sent with reports to uniquely identify your computer. The GUID is a randomly generated number; it does not contain any personal information and is not used to identify you. We use the GUID to distinguish how widespread the feedback we receive is and how to prioritize it." Where exactly is this GUID stored in the registry, what is is called exactly, and how is it created to be Globally Unique if it is a Random Number? Also, can two machines from a production line of the same make and model computer have the same GUID if created from the same standard image, where the end user simply finishes the installation by following the initial startup wizard?

Hi, GUID short for Globally Unique Identifier, a unique 128-bit number that is produced by the Windows OS or by some Windows applications to identify a particular component, application, file, database entry, and/or user. GUIDs can be created in a number of ways, and will not be the same even the system is created from the same standard image. As the article said, the GUID allows Microsoft to distinguish between one customer experiencing a problem one hundred times and one hundred customers experiencing the same problem once. More information, you can refer to the following articles: GUID Guide, part one SID vs. GUID Hope this helps Vincent Wang TechNet Community Support