.wer

Extension: Windows Error Report

Developer: Microsoft

WER (Windows Error Report) files are created by Microsoft’s Windows operating system to record details about system crashes and errors. These files contain valuable diagnostic information, including error codes, timestamps, and a snapshot of the system’s state at the time of the failure. This data is crucial for troubleshooting and identifying the root cause of the problem, whether it’s a software bug, hardware malfunction, or driver issue. Analyzing a WER file can help pinpoint which application or system component caused the crash, aiding in the process of finding a solution or contacting support with pertinent details. The location of these files is typically within the `%SystemRoot%\Windows\WER` folder, although the exact subfolders may vary depending on the error and the version of Windows being used.

While you can’t directly open a WER file like a document, you can access its contents using built-in Windows tools. The simplest method is to double-click the .wer file; Windows will usually automatically open it in the Windows Error Reporting application, presenting the information in a user-friendly format. Alternatively, you can navigate to the file’s location in File Explorer and right-click it, choosing to open it with a compatible program. If the built-in viewer doesn’t provide sufficient detail, more advanced tools, some available online, can parse the data for a more comprehensive analysis. Understanding the information contained within a WER file empowers users to better troubleshoot and report technical problems to software developers or system administrators, ultimately improving the stability and reliability of their Windows experience.