If you’re running on Microsoft Windows, it’s pretty much guaranteed that at some time or another, you’ve encountered a runtime error. These can appear for a variety of reasons, we’re going to look at the most common, but it’s important to remember that runtime errors are not restricted to any one application or program. Not all of them are critical, but they’re certainly unwanted.

That is, of course, unless you’re an application developer who can use the debugging information to fix a problem! Run time errors, as you’ve probably seen, appear in the form of a pop up dialogue box. You will have the chance to run a debug script and most run time errors come with the option to report them to Microsoft or elsewhere.

So what causes them? Arguably the most common reason for a runtime error is a clash of system resources. If Program A wants access to a library of files that are being used by Program B, and the two programs can’t work out their differences in the usual manner, a runtime error can be expected along with a downturn in performance for whichever program is being denied the resources.

You’ve probably noticed that the standard Windows system very rarely gets errors when it’s just been setup after bringing it home for the first time. This is because the system components are nicely organized and the Windows registry is in its default state. The moment you take it upon yourself to start installing new third party applications and hardware devices, you open the door to the possibility of runtime errors and files being misused. It’s pretty unavoidable, but there are things we can do to prevent runtime errors becoming too much of an issue.

If a program is uninstalled, make sure that you remove all of the components related to the program. Having spare parts floating on your computer is like issuing an open invitation to the runtime error prompt.

Another key reason for runtime errors is the presence of viruses on a system. We’ve all heard why viruses are terrible things, and yes, they are, but we don’t always have much of a visual representation of what they’re up to. Well, if you see runtime errors popping up left, right and centre, it may just be a sign that you have a virus at work on your computer.

Viruses are rough cut scripts and generally nasty pieces of work. They will cause programs to operate in ways that perhaps were not intended. This, of course, can lead to collisions on your Windows operating system and files becoming corrupt.

If you think that your computer is safe from malicious third party threats and you’re still getting runtime errors, take a good look at the program you’re trying to work with at the time of the error. Is it newly installed?

Not every application is developed to faultless standards and sometimes, a runtime error can simply be the result of bad programming code.

If all else fails, it may be a question of your computer being a little too old and a little too weak to handle the demands that you’re asking of it. Do you have enough memory? Is there plenty of RAM? A lack of memory will lead to poor performance and yes, you guessed it, runtime errors.