How to enable Windows Crash Dumps

Modified on Wed, 1 May at 1:36 PM

By default, crash dumps are not enabled in Windows. Some issues may require us to look at these crash dumps to understand the issue more clearly. You will need administrative permissions to enable the following feature.

If you don't have much experience with the Registry Editor, we have created a file attached to the bottom of this article which will do the Advanced work for you with few simple steps.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Backup first!
Simple
Advanced
Restore the Registry

Backup first!

Before you download and run the registry file, you should back up your current registry. This will allow you to restore your registry back to how it was before.

Open the Start Menu and type regedit
Open the Registry Editor and select File > Export
At the bottom of the new Window named Export Range, select the Selected branch option and copy/paste this line: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting
Select your save destination (Desktop Recommended), give your backup a name and then select Save Please note: Saving can take from a couple of seconds up to a couple of minutes to save.

Simple:

Download the .zip file at the bottom of this article
Extract the .reg file onto your Desktop
Double click on the .reg file. If Windows shows up with a warning, click run to Continue
Registry Editor will now show another warning. Click Yes to continue Remember: You will be able to restore your registry with the backup you made!
The Registry Editor will confirm that the registry keys have been added and Crash Dumps have been enabled
Once you have followed all the steps mentioned above, reproduce the crash you were experiencing and send us the .dmp file in a ticket. You can find the files in %LOCALAPPDATA%\CrashDumps You may need to upload the file to a Storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox to share the file

Advanced:

Here are the steps to enable crash dumps:

This information was created from the Windows Dev Center. If any issues pop up following these steps, please contact Microsoft Support

Please note: Editing Registry Keys can cause issues with your system if not followed correctly. We do not recommend making any other changes other than those listed in this guide.

1. Open the Registry Editor

Press the start menu and type regedit
Press enter to open the Registry Editor

2. Create the LocalDumps key

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting
Select the Windows Error Reporting key and create a new key named LocalDumps. If it is not there already:
- Right-click Windows Error Reporting.
- Select New and then Key
- Name the key as LocalDumps

3. Create registry values in the LocalDumps key

Select the LocalDump key and create these three registry values:

DumpFolder Registry Value

Right click in the blank area on the right side and select New > Expandable String Value
Name it as DumpFolder
Double click it and enter %LOCALAPPDATA%\CrashDumps in the Value data field

DumpCount Registry Value

Right click in the blank area on the right side and select New > DWORD (32-bit) value
Name it as DumpCount
Double click it and enter 10 in the Value data field

DumpType Registry Value

Right click in the blank area on the right side and select New > DWORD (32-bit) value
Name it as DumpType
Double click it and enter 2 in the Value data field

Once you have followed all the steps mentioned above, reproduce the crash you were experiencing and send us the .dmp file in a ticket. You can find the files in %LOCALAPPDATA%\CrashDumps

You may need to upload the file to a Storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox to share the file

Restore the Registry

To disable the crash dumps, go to your desktop and find the backup .reg file you created earlier. Double click the file and select Yes

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