How to decode Windows errors

First published on TECHNET on Oct 17, 2007

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.