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3 Best Ways to Disable Error Reporting in Windows 11

Windows 11’s diagnostic-data settings and Windows Error Reporting are separate controls. Choose the appropriate method, and avoid disabling the WerSvc service.
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You can reduce optional diagnostic data in Windows 11 Settings, or turn off Windows Error Reporting (WER) with Group Policy. These are different controls: reducing optional data does not disable WER or stop Windows from sending required diagnostic data. Use the method that matches what you want to change.

Choose the right control before you disable reporting

Windows 11 has two related but distinct systems. Diagnostic data settings determine whether optional diagnostic data is sent. Windows Error Reporting (WER) handles information about detectable problems, including application faults, kernel faults and unresponsive apps, and may provide available solutions. Microsoft notes that administrators can set policies that override user choices. Windows Client WER policy guidance

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Required diagnostic data is a separate category and can include basic error information. Optional diagnostic data may include enhanced error reporting and crash memory-state information. Turning off optional data therefore does not mean all diagnostic data or WER is off. Microsoft Support: Diagnostics, feedback, and privacy in Windows 11

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Method 1: Reduce optional diagnostic data in Settings

Choose this method if your goal is to limit optional diagnostics on a personal PC, rather than switch off WER itself.

  1. Open Settings > Privacy & security > Diagnostics & feedback.
  2. Find the diagnostic-data option and select the available setting that limits optional diagnostic data.
  3. Review the other controls on the page if you also want to change related feedback or diagnostic features.

The options available can vary, and a setting may be unavailable when an organization manages the device. This changes diagnostic-data sharing; it is not a complete WER off switch. Required diagnostic data remains a separate category. Microsoft Support: Diagnostics, feedback, and privacy in Windows 11

Method 2: Turn off Windows Error Reporting with Group Policy

Use Group Policy when you need to configure WER itself and have access to Local Group Policy Editor or device-management policies. Microsoft’s Windows Client instructions explain how to enable WER; the two policy names below are inverse to the outcome you want. For disabling WER, set both policies to Enabled, then verify the effective policy on the device. Microsoft Windows Client WER policy guidance

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  1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor, if available.
  2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Internet Communication Management > Internet Communication Settings. Open Turn off Windows Error Reporting and set it to Enabled.
  3. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Error Reporting. Open Disable Windows Error Reporting and set it to Enabled.
  4. Check the effective policy or ask your administrator to confirm it. An organization’s policy may override local user choices.

Policy availability depends on the Windows edition and how the device is managed. If a policy is missing or locked, do not assume the setting took effect; check with the administrator responsible for the PC.

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Method 3: Set the legacy registry policy value

The registry route is an advanced fallback, not the preferred current Windows 11 procedure. A legacy Microsoft-hosted operations guide documents a DWORD named Disabled at HKLMSoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindows Error Reporting, with a value of 1 to disable error reporting. The guide is old and does not establish that the procedure has been verified on current Windows 11 builds. Microsoft-hosted legacy System Center operations guide

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  1. Before making a change, export the relevant registry key or otherwise record the existing policy state so you can restore it.
  2. In Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindows Error Reporting.
  3. Create or edit the DWORD value Disabled and set it to 1.
  4. Restart Windows, then verify the effective policy and reporting behavior. If the key or value is absent, or the behavior is unclear, prefer Group Policy or administrator guidance rather than assuming the change worked.

Why you should not disable the WerSvc service

WerSvc is the Windows Error Reporting service. Microsoft’s Windows Server service guidance says it supports error reporting when programs stop working or responding, delivery of existing solutions, and log generation for diagnostic and repair services; it recommends Do not disable. That guidance is for Windows Server, not a Windows 11-specific test, but it is a strong reason not to treat service shutdown as a routine Windows 11 method. Microsoft: Security guidelines for disabling system services in Windows Server

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When leaving WER on is the better choice

If one app is crashing, WER may preserve information useful for diagnosing the fault and may offer an available solution. Suppressing reports can remove that avenue for troubleshooting. Microsoft describes WER as covering application faults, kernel faults, unresponsive applications and other application-specific problems. Microsoft Learn: Windows Error Reporting

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