How to Enable Memory Dump Creation in Windows 10

To troubleshoot and diagnose issues on a Windows 10 computer, setting up memory dump creation can be very helpful. A memory dump captures essential data that helps identify the causes of system failures and errors. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to enable memory dump creation on Windows 10.

Step 1: Open System Settings

  1. Press Win + Pause/Break on your keyboard for quick access to system settings. If your keyboard lacks a Pause/Break key, go to the Start menu, select Settings (gear icon), and then choose System.
  2. In the left pane, select About, and then click on Advanced system settings.

Step 2: Configure Startup and Recovery Settings

  1. In the System Properties window, navigate to the Advanced tab, then under the Startup and Recovery section, click Settings....
  2. In the pop-up window, find the Write debugging information section. Choose one of the following dump types from the dropdown menu:
    • Small memory dump (256 KB) — creates a small file with minimal data for basic analysis.
    • Kernel memory dump — this dump contains memory information used by the Windows kernel.
    • Complete memory dump — saves a full copy of the computer’s physical memory (requires substantial disk space).

Step 3: Specify the Save Location for the Dump

By default, memory dumps are saved in the C:\Windows\Minidump folder for small dumps and C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP for larger ones. If needed, you can change the location by specifying a different path in the Dump file field.

Step 4: Save Settings

Once you’ve selected the desired options, click OK to save your changes, and restart your computer for them to take effect. Now, when a system crash occurs, Windows 10 will automatically create a memory dump, making it easier to diagnose and resolve issues.

Additional Tips

To analyze dump files effectively, you can use debugging tools like Microsoft's WinDbg. This tool helps decode memory dumps and pinpoint the causes of problems.

Now you know how to enable memory dump creation in Windows 10. Setting up these options can be an important step toward maintaining your system’s stability and security.