One of the arbitrary limits Microsoft has deemed necessary to include in their operating systems has been disabling normal window behaviors in error, properties, and similar dialogs.  For instance you are not able to resize or highlight information in these dialogs (with few exceptions).

Fortunately there are ways to get around this.  Let’s talk about resizing them first.

I use a utility called ResizeEnable which, well, enables resizing.  I can’t think of a single instance where it hasn’t worked to resize a dialog or pop-up within Windows.  They may exist but they will remain rare.  I install this on all of the servers I work with because it makes it so much easier to read information in those tiny dialogs on low-resolution screens.

Basically it consists of two files: a dll and an executable.  I put them both into a folder I call ResizeEnable under Program Files (I am using Windows 7 in this case).  You can add it where you like, but I prefer keeping it with all the other programs.  After I get it put in place I then create a shortcut to the executable in my Startup folder (the one listed in your Programs under the Start/Windows menu).  This way ResizeEnable starts when the machine starts.  You can open your Startup folder in Explorer by right-clicking on it under Programs and choosing Explore from the context menu.

Now the copy and paste thing.  When an error dialog shows up it will not allow you to highlight the error text.  This is annoying if you are trying to put that message into a search engine and find a solution.

Oddly enough if you bring the dialog into focus (by clicking its title bar for instance) and use Ctrl-C it really does copy the error text—this in spite of the fact that your machine will chime its dissent at you.  Just move to a text file or your search field and paste it in.  It will copy the entire dialog so you may want to paste it into a text file and then just copy out the part you need for searching.  Nifty, eh?  Go figure.

That ought to help you out when the error dialogs step on your nerves.  And they will.  It’s Windows.

(Thanks to this article for some information.)