The Windows Dump File Location is a folder on your computer where you can find all the dump files created by the system. The location of this directory varies depending on which version of Windows you are using and whether or not it is 32-bit or 64-bit.
This article will tell you how to find this directory and what some other important information about these files is.
Where is Windows Dump File Location?
The dump file’s default location is %SystemRoot%memory.dmp i.e C:\Windows\memory.dmp, i.e., C: is the system disk. Windows may also record small memory dumps that take up less space. These dumps are generated in %SystemRoot%Minidump.dmp (C:\Window\Minidump.dump if C: is the system drive).
Furthermore, you can open windows dump file location by using WinDbg, but first
Install WinDbg
Follow these instructions to install the WinDbg program on Windows 10.
- Open your favorite web browser.
- Navigate to the WinDbg download page.
- Click the “Get” (or “Install/Open”) button.
- Click the “Open” option.
- Click the “Install” option.
- Windows Central is the source.
When you finish the instructions, the application will be installed and accessible from the Start menu.
Examine the dump file
To open and examine a dump file produced by a Windows 10 crash, follow these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for WinDbg, right-click the first result, and select the Run as administrator option.
- Click the File menu.
- Click Start debugging
- Select the option “open dump file”
- Select the dump file from the folder location – for instance, %SystemRoot%\Minidump.Minidump.
- Click the “Open” option.
- Keep an eye on the progress meter until the dump file is loaded (this may take a while).
- In the run command, type the following command and press Enter:
- Keep an eye on the progress meter until the analysis is finished (this may take a long time depending on the data size).
After you complete the procedures, the application will provide the dump file analysis, which you can then study to understand the cause of the problem and help you address it.
Also Read: How To Fix Start Button Not Working Windows 10 For Free
Change the Windows Dump File Location
- Navigate to the desktop and right-click on the This PC icon. Select “Properties” from the list of available choices.
- Click the Advanced system settings link in the upper left corner of the ensuing window.
- Under the Startup and Recovery section, click Settings.
- Locate the Dump File text box and insert the file’s location.
How To Configure the Memory Dump File Type
As previously stated, Windows creates automatic memory dump files, but users may configure the parameters to meet their own needs. Fortunately, there are certain methods by which a user may change the type of memory dump file that Windows generates.
1. Changing Windows dump settings with registry keys
The registry entry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl stores values relating to Windows crash dump settings.
We may also configure the crash dump by altering the registry variables (listed below).
- CrashDumpEnabled
- Overwrite
- AutoReboot
- DumpFile
- LogEvent
- SendAlert
- MinidumpDir
How to disable crash dump?
- In the registry editor, navigate to the location HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl. CrashDumpEnabled should be set to 0 in the registry. Alternatively, you may run the following command, which does the same thing.
- Reg add “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl” /v CrashDumpEnabled /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Turn off crash dump overwriting
- Set the registry key ‘Overwrite’ to a value of 0. This key may be located in the above-mentioned registry location. Set its value to 1 if you wish to replace an existing crash dump file. The following command disables crash dump overwrite.
- Reg add “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl” /v Overwrite /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
2. Use the Elevated Command Prompt.
1. Launch the taskbar search by using the Win+S key combination. Enter cmd.exe, then run it as admin
2. To access the elevated command prompt, click Yes on the UAC prompt.
3. Once in the black window, enter the appropriate command from the list below to change the dump file type and press Enter.
Memory TypeCommand LineNo memorywmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 0Small memory dumpwmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 3Kernel memory dumpwmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 2Complete memory dumpwmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 1Automatic memory dumpwmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 7Active memory dumpwmic RECOVEROS set DebugInfoType = 1
4. Finally, exit the prompt window and restart your Windows 10 PC to apply the modifications.
3. Making Use of Startup and Recovery
- To open the Run dialog box, press the “Window+R” hotkey. The System Properties wizard will appear; select the Advanced option.
- Just below the Startup and Recovery sections, click Settings.
- Under Write debugging information, select the drop-down box. Choose the type of dump file you want Windows to create when it crashes from the list.
- Click OK to save the changes.
Note: If the system frequently crashes, uncheck the checkbox next to the option to overwrite any existing files. This will ultimately result in incremental dump files, including a memory dump file for each crash that happens.
Finally,
You now understand what a dump file is and where to view Windows dump file location. They are basically crash report files that the computer generates in the event of a crash. In most situations, it occurs after the dreaded blue screen of death (BSOD). These dump files are typically intended for developers.
You may, however, open these files even if you are not a developer. Microsoft provides a fantastic small piece of software called WinDbd Review that may be used for this purpose. If you wish to remove the files, you may utilize Windows’ built-in Disk Clean-up application.
