Microsoft Promises More Useful Error Messages in Windows 10
Unless you work on the Windows team at Microsoft, the error messages in Windows 10 are probably incomprehensible gibberish. If you’re lucky, the operating system might cite a knowledge base article, but it’s more likely error messages just throw up strings of numbers that don’t help explain the issue. Microsoft says it’s going to start making error messages less confusing, at least sometimes.
The company is focusing on some of the most aggravating and common errors — the ones that pop up in Windows 10 setup. Your PC might not be in a state to help you troubleshoot in the midst of setup, so an unhelpful error message will probably send you to another computer or your phone to search for a solution.
These errors are often related to the user as hexadecimal numbers like 0x800F0923 or 0xC1900101-0x20004. The first one points to a driver or software compatibility issue and the second is a driver error. So, that doesn’t really tell you anything useful while trying to install an operating system. On the Windows Insider webcast, members of the Windows Fundamentals Team say the upcoming “19H1” update will address these updates. Not only will you get more information, but Windows may also provide quick fixes for simple errors.
The revamped error messages will pinpoint potential issues with installed apps on a system upgrade, offering options to uninstall them right from the error dialog. In the event of system problems during upgrades, the errors will include links to knowledge base articles. The improved error messages will be part of all updates going forward. Third-party developers will also be able to plug into the system to provide information about upgrades and updates related to compatibility issues.
Microsoft hasn’t provided a timeline for the 19H1 update. As the name implies, it will launch in the first half of this year, probably later in the spring.
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