Save a Click: Disable Sending Reports to Microsoft

On paper it’s a great idea: when you have problems in Microsoft CRM that throw an error, you can decide to send a summary of the problem to Microsoft.  Ideally, Microsoft would aggregate the various errors that appear as users stretch the system in creative ways, then make changes to improve life for the whole community.  Great, right?

Almost.  While turning on CRM for a first time, it’s not uncommon to add customizations and data rapidly and iterate quickly on any problems.  This works fine, but while the paint is drying on your masterpiece the possibility CRM can throw an error can climb.  Most of these errors are trivial, but Microsoft had a difficult decision on what the default behavior should be to handle these errors.

Microsoft could have decided to not even try to pull errors, which would have meant they wouldn’t have information to improve to product overall.  Or Microsoft could have decided to automatically capture every error, which could lead to privacy questions if done too aggressively.  Or, lastly, they could ask the user whether or not to report to send the error to Microsoft on each occurrence.  It’s this last option Microsoft chose.

If you’re a user perhaps going through an implementation, for example, and you find yourself asked too often about whether to send reports to Microsoft while you’re sorting things out you do have an option.  Unfortunately, it’s not very obvious, but here’s a way to disable the message and choose a different default.

The setting can be found here: Settings > Administration > Privacy Preferences > Check the box and select “Never Send” (or always send if you’re feeling generous).

It’s a small setting, but knowing how to control the behavior of that prompt can save a few clicks.  When new users are getting acclimated to a new system, saving a few clicks can make a big difference in CRM adoption.