Windows 10 19H1: We'll fix confusing setup error messages, promises Microsoft

[The AchieVer]

Windows 10 19H1: We'll fix confusing setup error messages, promises Microsoft

Would the average Windows user know what a KB is or what to do with one?

 

               

 

Future updates to Windows 10 will reserve 7 GB of storage

As most ZDNet readers probably know, KB is Microsoft's abbreviation for Knowledge Base, its catalog of articles written by its support staff explaining how to solve problems.  

 

But Microsoft has finally realized that many average users have no idea what a KB and its numerical ID are and don't know what to do when they appear in a Windows 10 setup error notification. 

These notifications are shown when a version of an app isn't compatible with the latest version of Windows 10 and needs to be updated or uninstalled and then reinstalled.  

Currently on Windows 10 Microsoft doesn't link to the KB article in setup error notifications, while 'back' and 'refresh' buttons don't necessarily match up with the error message itself.  

Microsoft will make the new setup error notifications more helpful with links to support notes and more actions. 

Image: Microsoft

The example Microsoft uses is an antivirus app, which can't run because it causes security or performance issues on Windows. The message encourages users to check with the software provider whether there's an updated app that runs on this version of Windows.    

Microsoft's Windows Insider team revealed the upcoming changes to its setup error messages in a webcast spotted by Ghacks. Users should see new, more helpful error messages in Windows 10 version 1903, currently in testing as Windows 10 19H1.   

Microsoft's research found that users would often get a setup block and not know what to do afterwards, and that the current messaging doesn't help users understand how to unblock it.  

To fix this, Microsoft plans on providing actionable features in the dialog box, including a link to the relevant KB article in a 'Learn More' link. It will also give users the ability to uninstall or upgrade the flagged app where possible.  

Instead of the error message pictured, the Windows 10 Setup page will list apps that need addressing to proceed with setting up Windows 10.  

Microsoft also identified problems in the latest version of Windows 10 on the page that says, 'Some apps need to be uninstalled' due to compatibility problems. The page merely lists the apps by name with the single button 'Uninstall and continue'.  

The page also doesn't show users all the options they do have. In some cases, software vendors have been finding that lots of users are uninstalling an incompatible app and not reinstalling the updated app after setup.  

In the next version of Windows 10, Microsoft will present a notification that states 'What needs your attention'. It will contain a link to 'Why am I seeing this?', and then list the incompatible apps with links to either 'Learn more' or 'Learn more or update instead'.  

Microsoft says it will give software vendors a space for support notes to provide users with information about updated apps.  

The next version of Windows 10 will present give more information on incompatible apps 

 

 

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[Matrix]

Windows 10 Setup's error messages are about to get much better

 

 

 

Error messages are the norm for PC users, but that doesn't make them any less frustrating when they pop up; particularly when they don't offer much in the way of actionable information.

Poorly-explained errors filled with seemingly random letters and numbers can often force you to spend hours desperately Googling an issue that may be relatively simple to fix. Microsoft's Windows error messages are certainly no exception to this irritating trend, and can be some of the worst offenders.

Fortunately, it seems Microsoft is taking it upon themselves to remedy the situation - somewhat. As reported by Ars Technica (via WinFuture), the company is rolling out an improved version of their Windows 10 Setup error messages in the OS' upcoming April Update.

As seen in the image above, Windows 10's Setup system will soon tell you precisely what a given issue is, while giving you clear directions to solve it.

For example, if you're upgrading to Windows 10 and you have certain apps that are incompatible with the OS, Windows 10 Setup will let you know what those apps are while prompting you to get rid of them. In some cases, it seems that a direct "Uninstall" button will be included right in the Setup window, though some apps will require more manual action on the user's part.

If the issue can't be fixed with a simple program uninstall, Windows 10 Setup will also include a "Learn more" button, which will take you directly to the appropriate section of Microsoft's Knowledge Base when clicked.

Of course, simply improving the quality of Windows 10 Setup's errors only addresses one small part of a much bigger problem (the dreaded Blue Screens of Death could use some work).

However, it's still a step in the right direction for Microsoft, and hopefully an indication that other parts of the Windows 10 ecosystem will receive similar error message overhauls in the future.

 

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