How to decode Windows errors

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Many Windows error messages provide a hexadecimal error code, for example 0x8007267C. This code can provide helpful information. But how to translate it into a readable error message?

 

At least two commands can be used to decode an error code:

 

· certutil -error [Code]

· err.exe [Code]

 

For example

certutil -error 0x8007267C

 

Certutil is part of all Windows server stock keeping units (SKU) and Windows Vista. The err executable is available from the Microsoft Download center.