How to Make a Fake Error Message in Windows

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Do you want to create a custom Windows error message? Whether you're an application developer or someone who wants to prank their coworker, knowing how to create a custom error message is an essential ability. To learn how to create a custom Windows error message, follow this guide.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Single Error Dialog

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  1. Open the Notepad app . [1]
    • Press the ⊞ Win + R keys simultaneously.
    • Type notepad into the Run dialog.
    • Hit ↵ Enter or click OK .
    • x=msgbox("Your Message Here", Button+Icon, "Your Title Here")
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  3. Replace Button in the code you pasted into Notepad with one of the following:
    • 0 - OK
    • 1 - OK and Cancel
    • 2 - Abort , Retry and Ignore
    • 3 - Yes , No and Cancel
    • 4 - Yes and No
    • 5 - Retry and Cancel
  4. Replace Icon in the code that you pasted into Notepad with one of the following:
    • 0 = No Icon
    • 16 = Critical Icon (a.k.a. "X" icon)
    • 32 = Question Icon (a.k.a. "?" icon)
    • 48 = Warning Icon (a.k.a. "!" icon)
    • 64 = Info Icon (a.k.a. "i" icon)
  5. Replace Your Title Here in the code you pasted into Notepad with what you want the title of the error message to be.
  6. Replace Your Message Here in the code you pasted into Notepad with what you want the error message to say. [2]
  7. Press Ctrl + S on your keyboard.
  9. [3]
  11. Click Save .
  12. Double-click the file that was created.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Sequence of Error Dialogs

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Create a sequence of error messages. Messages will display one at a time, and closing a message will display the following one.

  1. Open the Notepad app . [4]
    • Press the ⊞ Win + R keys simultaneously.
    • Type notepad into the Run dialog.
    • Hit ↵ Enter or click OK .
    • x=msgbox("Your Message Here", Button+Icon, "Your Title Here")
  3. Replace Button in the code you pasted into Notepad with one of the following: [5]
    • 0 - OK
    • 1 - OK and Cancel
    • 2 - Abort , Retry and Ignore
    • 3 - Yes , No and Cancel
    • 4 - Yes and No
    • 5 - Retry and Cancel
  4. Replace Icon in the code that you pasted into Notepad with one of the following:
    • 0 - No Icon
    • 16 - Critical Icon (a.k.a. "❌" icon)
    • 32 - Question Icon (a.k.a. "❓" icon)
    • 48 - Warning Icon (a.k.a. "❗" icon)
    • 64 - Info Icon (a.k.a. "ℹ️" icon)
  5. Replace Your Title Here in the code you pasted into Notepad with what you want the title of the error message to be.
  6. Replace Your Message Here in the code you pasted into Notepad with what you want the error message to say.
  8. Repeat these steps, starting from Step 3.
    • This error message will display after the previously created one has been closed.
  9. Press Ctrl + S on your keyboard.
  11. [6]
  13. Click Save .
  14. Double-click the file that was created.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Is there a way to make a custom icon for the error?
    Community Answer
    No, you can try using different numbers, but most likely a real error will pop up.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 30 Helpful 138
  • Question
    How do I make it do actions to my computer?
    Community Answer
    You can't do that. It's a fake error, meaning it won't do anything to your computer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 82 Helpful 100
  • Question
    How do I create an input text box in the message?
    Community Answer
    Do this: InputVariableName=InputBox("Prompt","Title","Value which is optional")
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 31 Helpful 106
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help-in-notepad-4d68c388-2ff2-0e7f-b706-35fb2ab88a8c
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tunlgnEcGqk&t=39s
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/cuD_aprDz9M?t=79
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help-in-notepad-4d68c388-2ff2-0e7f-b706-35fb2ab88a8c
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/tunlgnEcGqk?t=52
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/tunlgnEcGqk?t=80

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