Capturing and documenting work steps when using software, can be a tedious process if you only rely on the Windows on-board tools. The step recorder, the Problem Steps Recorder, is a well-tried standard tool when it comes to recording and documenting work steps when using software. However, if you mainly want to create documentation for end users, i.e. instructions, manuals or training material, you will very quickly reach the limits of Windows step recording.
Are you looking for a step recording alternative to record and document work steps even easier in any software?
Then Flowshare is worth a look. As an excellent step recording alternative, FlowShare offers significant advantages over the traditional Windows Problem Steps Recorder (PSR).
Let’s take a closer look at why FlowShare should be your first choice.
What is the Step Recorder or Problem Steps Recorder (PSR)?
Windows Problem Steps Recorder is a tool integrated into Windows, which is used to record the steps performed by a user on the computer. The main use case of the tool is (as the English name suggests) documenting steps in case of problems in order to make the problem traceable for IT support or development. When such a problem occurs, step recording can be very useful to document exactly what the user has done.
It creates a step-by-step record with automatic screenshots and descriptions of the actions performed. The recordings are then saved in a ZIP file that can be easily shared with technical support or others for troubleshooting. . The PSR can be a great help in bridging communication barriers between users and technicians, providing clear visual guidance to track and resolve a problem that has occurred.
Although the PSR provides a simple and effective way to document issues, it does not offer the advanced features and ease of use that some alternative tools such as FlowShare provide
What is the step recording alternative FlowShare?
FlowShare is a documentation software for Windows that uses a screen recorder function to document every action and step you perform in any application. Instead of creating a complete video, FlowShare documents individual steps, which you can then export as a finished tutorial in a wide variety of formats.
- It automatically creates screenshots of every step you take during an operation through clicks or keyboard interactions.
- It also automatically generates short text descriptions.
- Finally, depending on the price model, different export formats are available.
This automatically creates a ready-to-use tutorial just the way you want it, which you can use not only to fix problems, but also to train your team or customers.
Even the most complex processes, e.g. within ERP systems, can be easily illustrated with FlowShare, so that end users can understand and reproduce the processes.
The limitations of the Windows Problem Steps Recorder
Compared to FlowShare, Windows Problem Steps Recorder offers only basic functionality for creating tutorials and end-user documentation.
Here are some disadvantages of the PSR:
- Export ZIP archive only:
PSR cannot create instructions in user-friendly formats or record videos, which makes it less useful for training or customer support. It offers no templates for user manuals but only rudimentary click sequences (because the focus is to document problems and not to present them in a nice form). - Limited editing possibility of texts:
The description texts are not always suitable for end users, nor is it possible to edit them within the step recording. - No possibility to edit images:
The PSR does not provide built-in functions to edit the recorded screenshots (e.g., to make personal data unrecognizable) or to add markers, which makes it difficult to create comprehensive documentation. - Multi-Monitor Limitation:
If you are using multiple monitors, the PSR will record everything on all screens, making it difficult if you only want to record a specific application on one screen. - Limited screen recording:
According to field reports, Windows’ step recording quickly reaches its limits during longer processes (over 25 steps). By default, the PSR is designed to record up to 25 steps, although this can be increased manually. If you have a problem that requires many clicks, you need to manually increase the recording limit in advance.
Advantages of FlowShare over Windows Problem Steps Recorder
All the limitation you experience with the PSR removes FlowShare, making it an ideal step recording alternative. Despite advanced features, it remains user-friendly and makes it easy for non-technical users to record their steps in any software with just a few clicks.
FlowShare offers the following advantages as a step recording alternative:
Numerous export formats:
FlowShare offers not just one, but numerous export formats (8 local, integrations or embedding via web portal), so there is something for every use case. Whether it’s a fancy PowerPoint presentation or interactive click simulation, the classic PDF, or a page that you can integrate into your wiki system like Confluence – FlowShare gives you plenty of choices.
Own templates:
Besides formats, FlowShare also emphasizes that you can integrate your company design: Logo, colors, fonts, custom templates in PowerPoint and Word.
Automatic text generation with editing possibility:
FlowShare’s description texts are designed to be understood by end users, so that you as an author do not have to describe the “what”, but can add the “why”. The automatically created texts can be supplemented, edited, structured as you know it from text editors. The document can be structured via a table of contents, which is also not possible in PSR.
Advanced image processing capabilities:
FlowShare, unlike Steps Recorder, offers versatile image editing capabilities: automatically crop, obscure areas, add markers, adjust click arrows, and even more via a direct link to image editing programs like Paint.
Multi-monitor recording:
FlowShare also works on multiple screens, it always takes a screenshot of the screen where you clicked, even if your click path spans multiple screens.
No limit on the number of steps:
You can be confident that it won’t skip a step, even if your click path is hundreds of steps and doesn’t struggle at 25 steps like the PSR. We have customers who use FlowShare to create 1000-step tutorials. Even if we would not recommend this from the user’s point of view (but prefer shorter but targeted instructions) – anything is possible,
Conclusion: This makes FlowShare the best step recording alternative
FlowShare is optimized for Windows and provides an effective and efficient step recording alternative to Windows Problem Steps Recorder for documenting processes that take place within applications – whether in the browser or on the desktop.
It makes it easy for end users to record their steps with just a few clicks and record them without much post-processing . Despite many export and editing options, it is easy to use and does not require any special knowledge.
This allows you to document not only error conditions, but also instructions and documentation for numerous use cases.
So if you are looking for an alternative at this very moment, don’t hesitate any further.
Test FlowShare free of charge and without obligation.
Create an unlimited number of guides, free for 7 days.
No restrictions, no obligations, no credit card needed. Only pay if you love it after your trial.
Frequently asked questions and answers:
1. is FlowShare easy to use, even for less technical users?
Yes, FlowShare is known for its user-friendly and intuitive interface that allows even less tech-savvy users to easily record and document their work steps.
2. Can I record steps with FlowShare on Mac or other operating systems?
No, FlowShare only works on Windows, just like the Windows Problem Steps Recorder.
3. is FlowShare free of charge?
It depends. For 7 days you can use all functions of FlowShare Professional free of charge. In a limited version you can continue to use FlowShare free of charge after the trial period – the recording is then limited to 15 steps and you can only choose PDF as export format. To use all functions and export formats as well as your own templates and designs, you need a paid version in a monthly or annually cancelable subscription model.
4. how secure is my data when using FlowShare?
As a German company, we attach great importance to data security. FlowShare can be run completely locally, so there is no recording to the cloud. All your recorded processes always remain with you, and only you decide with whom you want to share them.
5. is there a free version or a trial version of FlowShare that I can try?
Yes, FlowShare offers a free trial version that allows you to try out the features of the tool. Visit the official FlowShare website to start your free trial.
What is the difference between FlowShare and Windows Problem Steps Recorder?
FlowShare offers a richer and more intuitive experience compared to Windows Problem Steps Recorder. With features such as numerous export formats with design templates according to your corporate identity, detailed documentation through screenshots and automatic text description of actions, which you can further edit extensively, FlowShare surpasses the Windows Problem Steps Recorder in many aspects.
