Ensure is set to Small memory dump (256 KB) .
Some devices using memory have an exclusive behavior. Due to aggressive power management, Windows may ignore your configured dump settings and only produce a minidump, saving it to %systemroot%\minidump despite your request for a full kernel dump. To fix this, a special registry key must be set: ForceF0State (REG_DWORD: 1) located at HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\sdbus\Parameters\ .
Sometimes the to a crash isn’t obvious – especially if the crash happened in a service, a system process, or a container. Use these methods to pinpoint the exact folder.
This leaves no stone unturned. We’ll cover every possible minidump files location, from the default Windows folders to hidden user‑mode crash directories, and even show you how to change them, troubleshoot missing dumps, and gain exclusive access when files are locked. Whether you’re a developer, IT admin, or a curious power user, you’ll leave with complete mastery over minidump locations. minidump files location exclusive
While minidumps are small and efficient, Windows also has the capability to create a full memory dump (a complete copy of the system's physical memory at the time of the crash). This file is generally much larger and is not stored in the Minidump subfolder. Instead, the full system dump file, named MEMORY.DMP , is saved directly in the root of the Windows directory:
Common default locations by platform
If your system is set to record a "Complete" or "Kernel" dump rather than a "Small" (minidump) one, the file is usually named MEMORY.DMP and located directly in C:\Windows\ . Ensure is set to Small memory dump (256 KB)
: Large kernel memory dumps are typically saved as C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP . 2. Windows User-Mode Application Dumps
In this folder, you will usually find files with the .dmp extension, typically named with the date and a sequence number (e.g., 043024-12453-01.dmp ). The "Memory.dmp" Exception
Tools like CCleaner or Windows Storage Sense often delete minidump files automatically to save space. Turn them off while troubleshooting. To fix this, a special registry key must
Files in this directory are typically named based on the date and a sequence number, such as Mini051926-01.dmp . 2. The Memory Dump Location (MEMORY.DMP)
The most direct method is to modify the Windows Registry. You can manually set the minidump location by navigating to the following key in :
: Note that a larger, singular file named MEMORY.DMP is often stored directly in C:\Windows\ . 2. Application Crash Dumps (User-Mode)
This expands to: