How to Allow or Prevent Windows from Creating Dump Files

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Windows automatically generates dump files, also known as memory dump files, whenever the system crashes or encounters a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). These files contain a snapshot of the system’s memory at the time of the crash and are useful for diagnosing the root cause of system failures. However, dump files can consume significant disk space, and in some cases, you might want to prevent Windows from creating them.

This guide will walk you through the steps to allow or prevent Windows from creating dump files.


How to Allow Or Prevent Windows To Create Dump Files

1. Understanding the Types of Dump Files

Before making any changes, it's important to understand the different types of dump files that Windows can create:

  • Small Memory Dump (256 KB): Contains the least amount of information but can still be useful for identifying the cause of the crash.
  • Kernel Memory Dump: Includes only the kernel memory, which is typically much smaller than the full memory dump.
  • Complete Memory Dump: Contains all the data in physical memory, which can be as large as the amount of RAM in your system.
  • Automatic Memory Dump: Uses the same amount of space as the kernel memory dump but is managed by Windows.
  • Active Memory Dump: Introduced in Windows 10, focuses on the memory in use by active processes.

2. Allowing Windows to Create Dump Files

To ensure that Windows generates dump files after a system crash, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open System Properties

  1. Right-click on 'This PC' (or 'Computer') on the desktop or in File Explorer.
  2. Select 'Properties'.
  3. Click 'Advanced system settings' on the left side to open the System Properties window.

Step 2: Configure Startup and Recovery Settings

  1. In the System Properties window, go to the 'Advanced' tab.
  2. Under 'Startup and Recovery,' click on the 'Settings' button.
  3. In the Startup and Recovery window, you’ll find a section called 'System failure'.

Step 3: Select the Type of Dump File

  1. In the 'Write debugging information' dropdown, choose the type of dump file you want Windows to create:
    • Small memory dump (256 KB)
    • Kernel memory dump
    • Complete memory dump
    • Automatic memory dump
    • Active memory dump
  2. Check the 'Overwrite any existing file' option if you want to save disk space by ensuring only one dump file exists at any time.
  3. Choose the location where you want to save the dump files. By default, they are saved in C:\Windows\Minidump for small memory dumps or in the C:\Windows directory for other types.
  4. Click 'OK' to apply the settings.

3. Preventing Windows from Creating Dump Files

If you want to prevent Windows from creating dump files to save disk space or for any other reason, you can do so by modifying the same settings.

Step 1: Open System Properties

  1. Follow the same steps outlined above to open the System Properties window and then the Startup and Recovery settings.

Step 2: Disable Dump File Creation

  1. In the 'Write debugging information' dropdown, select '(none)'.
  2. This will prevent Windows from generating any dump files after a crash.
  3. Click 'OK' to save your changes.

4. Managing Disk Space for Dump Files

If you’re concerned about disk space but still want to allow dump files:

  • Set a Limit: You can set a limit on the size of the paging file, which Windows uses to store dump files.

    1. In the System Properties window, go to the 'Advanced' tab.
    2. Under 'Performance,' click on 'Settings'.
    3. Go to the 'Advanced' tab and click on 'Change' under Virtual memory.
    4. Here, you can adjust the size of the paging file, which can indirectly limit the size of dump files.

  • Use Disk Cleanup: Periodically run Disk Cleanup to remove old dump files and free up space.

    1. Type Disk Cleanup in the Start menu and open the utility.
    2. Check the 'System error memory dump files' option and click 'OK' to delete them.

5. Automating Dump File Management with Group Policy

For advanced users or administrators, Group Policy can be used to automate the management of dump files.

  1. Open the Group Policy Editor:

    • Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

  2. Navigate to the Dump File Settings:

    • Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Ctrl+Alt+Del Options.

  3. Configure Dump File Policies:

    • You can enable or disable specific policies related to crash dumps, such as preventing automatic restart or managing the location of dump files.

Conclusion

Dump files are valuable tools for diagnosing system crashes, but they can also consume significant disk space. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily control whether Windows creates dump files and manage them according to your needs. Whether you’re troubleshooting a system issue or simply managing disk space, these options give you the flexibility to handle dump files effectively.

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