Copy Windows Error Messages to the Clipboard

Instead of re-typing long, painful error messages whenever you are trying to Google for a solution, did you know you can simply use Ctrl+C to copy the text of the message to the clipboard?

If you want to test this out for yourself, just open Windows Explorer and type an incorrect drive letter into the address bar, and you’ll get an error message immediately. 

Just hit Ctrl+C whenever you get an error message prompt, and then you can paste it into notepad (or anywhere you’d like)

Personally I prefer to paste the error messages into a blank notepad window so I can select just a portion of it for pasting into Google. This is also a perfect way to copy your error messages when you are asking for help on our forum.

This tip should work in Windows Vista or XP or 2003.

The Geek is the founder of How-To Geek and a geek enthusiast. This article was written on 08/26/07 and tagged with: Vista Tips & Tweaks, Windows Vista

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Comments (10)

1. August 26, 2007 2:38 pm
   jumper

   an effin’ useful tip! i’ve always used the web to check out what the windows error messages mean! this saves me the trouble of typing the error message. thanks!

2. August 26, 2007 3:41 pm
   Scott

   Will wonders ever cease? First we have the Snipping Tool, and now this. Excellent tip !

3. August 26, 2007 5:46 pm
   Lisaweb

   Geek, you are literally saving years off my life, with these tips of yours! Thanks again.

4. August 26, 2007 5:48 pm
   Zbyszek

   YEP – Good tip – especially when I got MessageBoxes from C# when a bug occurs while developing the code

5. August 26, 2007 5:49 pm
   The Geek

   I’m very interested to see if there are any cases where this doesn’t work… for instance if a Java application has an error, does it still work? I haven’t tested every scenario yet.

6. August 28, 2007 5:33 pm
   Kenny

   This is revolutionary! Well maybe not, but it really makes you think “damn, I’ve been taking screenshots of those things for how long???”

7. October 2, 2007 3:24 am
   LeJean

   I am trying to copy .jpg to a CD or DVD and I receive the following error message, what can I do?

   Windows encountered a problem when trying to copy this file. What do you want to do?

   Thank you.

8. February 1, 2008 12:41 pm
   Melva Johnston

   —————————
   Microsoft Visual Basic
   —————————
   Compile error in hidden module: AutoExec
   —————————
   OK Help
   —————————

9. June 22, 2008 10:18 am
   tim

   Iwas looking for help on a code 10, but have great tips & helpful stuff I need to learn. thanks

10. August 13, 2008 1:09 pm
    pkGeeks

    simply great!!!