How to Open and Analyze Dump Files on Windows

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Types of Dump Files on Windows

How to Change Memory Dump File Settings Using Windows Settings

Step 1: Press theWindowskey, typeSettings, and click onOpen.

Step 2: In the right pane, scroll down toAboutand click on it.

Step 3: In the Device specifications, under the Related link, selectAdvanced system settings.

Note: If you are on Windows 10, you will find Related settings instead of Related link, under which, select Advanced system settings.

The System Properties window will appear.

Step 4: SelectSettingsunder Startup and Recovery.

Step 5: Now, under the System failure option, click on the drop-down menu ofWrite debugging information> selectAutomatic memory dump. Finally, click onOK.

This setting changes the details collected frommemory dump fileswhen a BSOD occurs. So, that you can view and understand the cause of the error. You may need to restart your PC to implement the changes effectively.

How to Analyze Windows Memory Dump Files

1. Using WinDbg Preview

Step 1: Press theWindowskey, typeMicrosoft Store, and pressEnter.

Step 2: In the search bar, typeWinDbg Preview, and pressEnter.

Step 3: Click onGetto install WinDbg Preview.

Step 4: Once installed, press theWindowskey, typeWinDbg Preview, and click onRun as administrator.

Step 5: In the WinDbg Preview Window, go toFilefrom the top menu.

Step 6: SelectStart debugging>Open dump filein the right pane.

Step 7:Browseand locate the dump file > click onOpen.

Note: You can find the latest dump file in the root C:\ folder, C:\minidump, or C:\Windows\minidump folder.

Once you open the dump file, WinDbg loads it and runs. Depending on the file size, It may take time to process.

Step 8: Now, type the below command in the command tab and pressEnter.

This command will start analyzing the dump file. This can take a few minutes to complete. Once it is complete, you should see the results in the top Window. With the result, you can troubleshoot the error that caused the crash.

2. Using BlueScreenView

This program scans and analyzes BSOD errors. It automatically picks up the Minidump directory dump file and processes it. Here’s how to install and run it.

Step 1:DownloadBlueScreenView>installandrunit.

BlueScreenView auto-fetches the dump files from your system. If it didn’t, go toOptions> click onAdvanced Options> under the Load from the following MiniDump folder box, click onBrowse>OK.

Step 2: Click on thedump fileslisted in the application.

The memory dump file selected will have a list of active files and drivers. The file highlighted in red will have a direct link to the cause of the BSOD error. You can click on it to troubleshoot the issue.

BlueScreenView is only useful to find the error causing the BSOD, unlike WinDbg, which also lets you debug the issue.

FAQs

Yes, you can. The quickest and safest way to delete dump files is to open Disk Cleanup, using the Windows Search tool > select Clean up system files > under files to delete, select System error memory dump files > click on OK.

It is simple to locate dump files on Windows 11. Open the Windows File explorer > go to C:\Windows\Minidump.

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Last updated on 20 August, 2024

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