Despite the increased stability of Windows XP, your applications are still going to crash, and when they do, Microsoft wants to know about it. XP asks you if you want to send a bug report with your crash information along to Microsoft so the company can fix it.

"Bah!" I say.

First, the question is a disruptive nuisance. Second, you are sending a little more data than you think you are.

Microsoft collects information about the conditions of the crash, content from open documents and running applications, and your product ID and IP address. There is the potential to send individual, identifiable, even sensitive content that can be matched up with your name and registered information.

You can read more about Microsoft's error-reporting tool, what it collects, and how it is used here.

I don't think Microsoft is really going to sift through all those responses and prosecute or lambaste individuals for their less-than-model behavior, but the idea is annoying and the pop-ups are intrusive. Fortunately, they are easy to turn off.

1. Right-click on My Computer
2. Select Properties
3. Click on Advanced
4. Choose Error Reporting
5. Check the box to disable error reporting.

Ahh, I feel better now. Let's move on to No. 2.