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Windows Error Message Generator to display fake error alerts
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Windows error messages (or dialog boxes) usually tell you aboutsystem errors. However, you can alsoset up fake error messageswith and without additional software. This is how you can set up a fakeerrormessage to pull a prank in Windows.
Fake Windows 10 error message generators
1. Set up a Fake Error Dialog Box With Error Message Generator
ErrorMessage Generator is a program that generates customizederrordialog boxes. You can save the program’s ZIP file to Windows by clickingDownloadErrorMessage Generatoronthis page. Open the ZIP file in File Explorer, and press theExtract allbutton to open the window shown directly below. Then enter a path to extract the ZIP to, and press theExtractbutton.
Thereafter, click ErrorGen.exe in the software’s extracted folder to open theErrorMessage Generator window shown directly below. You can entertextfor theerror messagein the text box on the Basics tab. The Basics tab also includes numerous icons for you to choose from. Enter button text in the Button 1, 2 and 3 text boxes.
When you’ve set up theerror message, you can selectGoto display theerror messagealongside the software’s window. Alternatively, clickHide Main Window & Goto close the program’s window and display theerror messageas below. However, the Error Message Generator icon remains on the taskbar.
— RELATED:Microsoft’s SetupDiag finds and fixes Windows 10 upgrade errors
2. Set up a Fake Error Message With Notepad
As the Error Message Generator icon stays on the taskbar, its fakeerror messagemight not be especially convincing. You can set up a more convincing fakeerror messagethat opens when a user clicks a disguised program shortcut without any third-party software. This is how you can set up a fake error dialog box by entering VBS scriptin Notepad.
Now the fakeerror messageVBS file will be fully disguised as a Windows software shortcut. The fake error dialog box will still pop up when you click the shortcut. That might fool anybody who clicks the shortcut that there’s a genuine error with the program you’ve disguised theVBS fileas.
If you want to take it to the next level you can generate some BSoDs as well. Check out the guide tocreate a fake blue screen of deatherror.
So that’s how you can have a few laughs with fake error messages. All joking aside, fakeerrordialog boxes might also come in handy for anyone who needs to include error messages in screenshots.
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More about the topics:All the Windows 10 tips you need to Know
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
