The Ultimate Guide to Windows Steps Recorder (PSR)

Step Recorder, also called Problem Steps Recorder (PSR), is a free tool built into Windows. It helps you capture actions, such as clicks, key presses, and screenshots. As a result, it is easier to show errors or explain steps to others. In addition, it does not require extra software.

What Step Recorder Does

Instead of recording a video, PSR creates a .zip file with a report (.mht or .html). For example, it includes:

• Text Descriptions of each action (e.g., “User left-clicked the ‘New’ button in Microsoft Word.”)
• Screenshots for each step, with the clicked area highlighted in green
• System messages that appear during the process

Strengths

• Built-in tool - No installation required
• Ease of Use - The interface is intuitive with only 3 buttons (Start, Stop, Pause)
• Accurate step-by-step logging of clicks, key presses, and errors
• Small file size compared to full video recordings

Weaknesses

• Not a video — does not capture mouse movement or animations
• May become unresponsive in rare cases during long or complex recordings

How to Open Step Recorder

You can open Step Recorder in two ways:

1. Using Run

• Press the Windows + R
• Type psr
• Click OK button.

2. Using Start Menu

• Open Start
• Search for “Steps Recorder”
• Click to launch

How to Record Steps

1. Start Record

Click Start Record on the main interface.

2. Record

Reproduce the error or go through the workflow you want to document.

3. Stop Record

Click Stop Record when finished.

You will be prompted to save the recording as a .zip file.

Conclusion

Step Recorder is a simple Windows tool. In addition, it turns your actions into a clear report with text and screenshots. As a result, it helps document workflows and share problems with support teams. Overall, it is fast, easy to use, and does not require extra software. Therefore, it is an essential tool for troubleshooting and workflow documentation.

References:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/steps-recorder-deprecation-a64888d7-8482-4965-8ce3-25fb004e975f
https://www.ninjaone.com/blog/enable-or-disable-steps-recorder-in-windows/#:~:text=Windows Steps Recorder%2C otherwise known,including screenshots and text descriptions.