diff --git a/src/pcsc.hxx b/src/pcsc.hxx
index 2803d30..3cc0e68 100644
--- a/src/pcsc.hxx
+++ b/src/pcsc.hxx
@@ -381,7 +381,48 @@ namespace pcsc {
       std::string error() const {
         #ifdef WIN32
         std::stringstream ss;
-        ss<<"PCSC state: "<<_state;
+        switch (_state) {
+          case SCARD_S_SUCCESS:
+            ss<<"Success";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_UNRESPONSIVE_CARD:
+            ss<<"The smart card is not responding to a reset.";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_UNPOWERED_CARD:
+            ss<<"Power has been removed from the smart card, so that further"
+              " communication is not possible.";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_RESET_CARD:
+            ss<<"The smart card has been reset, so any shared state"
+              " information is invalid.";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_REMOVED_CARD:
+            ss<<"The smart card has been removed, so that further"
+              " communication is not possible.";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_SECURITY_VIOLATION:
+            ss<<"Access was denied because of a security violation.";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_WRONG_CHV:
+            ss<<"The card cannot be accessed because the wrong PIN was"
+              " presented.";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_CHV_BLOCKED:
+            ss<<"The card cannot be accessed because the maximum number"
+              " of PIN entry attempts has been reached.";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_EOF:
+            ss<<"The end of the smart card file has been reached.";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_CANCELLED_BY_USER:
+            ss<<"The action was cancelled by the user.";
+            break;
+          case SCARD_W_CARD_NOT_AUTHENTICATED:
+            ss<<"No PIN was presented to the smart card.";
+            break;
+          default:
+            ss<<"Unknown PCSC state: "<<_state;
+        }
         return ss.str();
         #else
         return pcsc_stringify_error(_state);