There is a small feature that was introduced by Microsoft into the base OS of Win7, and is present in all modern versions (8, 8.1, 10+).  It is called the Problem Steps Recorder, or PSR.  Attached is an example config output that shows me clicking around inside a new server build, making changes. As a result, the PSR can be used to build detailed application install, configuration, or change documents in a fraction of the time. You can use the comment tool to call out specific areas of the screen and add your own details, but you can see how the PSR captures detailed instructions without having to do anything!  This could be a huge timesaver for the application team for install documents and change requests.   

 

To use the PSR just do the following (no install steps required).

 

Go to Start -> Run -> type “psr”.  The following window will pop up (this is from 2012R2/8.1, the Win7 version looks a little bit different).

 

 

Click the pulldown arrow go to Settings, and select where you want to save your output and set the number of steps to record to 100 (which is the max). Keep this in mind, if you have more than 100 steps, you will need to split files.

 

 

Click OK.  When you are ready to start your windows install of whatever app or patch you are attempting to capture, click Start Record.

 

 

Then Minimize the PSR tool (otherwise it will show up in every capture).   Once you are finished with the install the app or patch including the configurations, click Stop Record.  You can also Pause Recording during a capture if you want to perform other tasks outside of the install capture.  The PSR tool will add a mouse cursor change to your clicks (showing a red dot next to your mouse cursor) to represent when it is capturing a step. As I stated above, you can add screen comments and outline specific areas during the capture.  The result is very self-explanatory.  Hopefully it helps all of you at some point.