When Windows suffers a fatal error, it performs a "memory dump," capturing the current state of the system, running processes, and active drivers.
If you try to open a file directly in the Minidump folder, Windows might block you. Copy the file to your Desktop first to bypass permission restrictions.
Here is the hierarchy of where they live.
%localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Crashpad\reports 2. Steam and PC Video Games minidump files location exclusive
Minidump Files Location Exclusive: Find & Analyze Your Windows Crash Dumps
| Dump Type | Location | Size | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | C:\Windows\Minidump\*.dmp | ~256 KB | | Kernel Dump | C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP | ~200 MB - 1 GB | | Complete Dump | C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP | RAM Size + 1MB |
Under , ensure it is set to Small memory dump (256 KB) . When Windows suffers a fatal error, it performs
Perhaps you want to save minidumps to a different drive (e.g., D:\CrashDumps ) to avoid filling your SSD. You cannot simply move the folder—Windows will not follow symbolic links for crash dumps easily.
Minidump files are small crash reports created by Windows when your system encounters a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). These files contain essential debugging information, such as the error code and the state of the processor at the time of the crash. Knowing exactly where to find these files is the first step in diagnosing hardware failures or software conflicts.
The quickest, easiest way for beginners. It highlights the specific driver that caused the crash in pink. Here is the hierarchy of where they live
Verify that the dump file location is listed as %SystemRoot%\Minidump . Click and restart your computer if necessary. Alternative Locations: Memory.dmp
Windows 10 and 11 introduced the Automatic Memory Dump – it behaves like a kernel dump but uses a smaller pagefile. The location remains the same.
It is important to note the difference between the minidump folder and the file named MEMORY.DMP .
A minidump is a small file created by Windows during a crash. It contains a snapshot of the computer's memory at the exact moment of failure.