Windows 10: How to enable complete memory dumps in Windows

Ever wondered why a blue screen happened, only to end up not being able to find a cause from the default memory dump? Well, that's why I wholeheartedly recommend switching your memory dump settings to "Complete Memory Dump," so that it's easier for you to debug find out the causes of Blue Screens bug checks as you'll have a complete dump of the RAM at the time of the crash. By default, Windows only dumps the kernel memory space, which is useful for some crashes, but it's not perfect, as some blue screens are caused by processes or modules outside the kernel memory space. A complete memory dump has none of these issues, because it's quite literally an entire dump of all the physical RAM in the system.


NOTE: A complete memory dump takes up a LOT more space on your computer's storage device compared to the default "Automatic" or "Kernel" memory dumps. More specifically, a complete memory dump will take up the amount of storage space equivalent to the amount of RAM installed. Example: Let's say you have 8 gigabytes of RAM. The complete memory dump will be 8 gigabytes.


Despite this, it's not as big of a deal as some may make it out to be, as the memory dumps don't stack by default every time a complete dump occurs, the previous one is overwritten and it's only 8 gigs of space you need to take up. While I know some devices are storage constrained and for those devices, like anything below 100 gigs, I would recommend sticking to an automatic memory dump, all other devices, complete the small cost is worth it for better debug ability.


Now here's what you do:

1 In the Start menu in Windows 7 or 10 or Start screen in Windows 8 or 8.1, search for Control Panel, and open it.


2 Go to System and Security -> System -> then click on Advanced system settings.


3 Click settings under Startup and Recovery.


Bonus tip: I would also highly recommend disabling automatic restart here by unticking the checkbox. This is because if the computer does crash, you can see what the error code is, and look it up to find out the problem.


4 Where it says "Write debugging information," click the drop down and change "Automatic memory dump" Kernel in windows 7, to Complete Memory Dump. Then click apply and ok.


It will ask for a reboot, so if you want to, go ahead and do so.


That's it! That's how you enable a complete memory dump in Windows.

:)

 

Windows Updated(16299.309).KB4088776 Restart is required to complete.


Hi dalchina. Good news, I followed your suggestion and reinstalled the update and now it appears as "installed correctly" *Biggrin Maybe it was not necessary to run the Windows Update Troubleshooter or maybe if necessary. But using it I do not think it could have worsened something. The installation was very fast, unlike the first time it showed step 1 and step 2 completed.

Thanks for the suggestions and for the time to respond Best regards.


And thanks for the tip of that program, I'll have it on my list.

 

Frequent Memory Dumps

Thank you for your response.

I have uninstalled cccleANER as suggested.

I have turned off real time scanning on McAfee Total Protection.

A couple of questions:

1. How can I check that I am not getting Memory dump files anymore? - they were detected by cccleANER
2. How can I check that I'm not getting interference between Malwarebytes and McAfee? - i.e. I need to know what level of RAM?
   

Thank you for your assistance

 

Surface Pro Kernel Memory Dump When It Turn On Every time!

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



As the dump file is kernel memory dump file. Please note that it records only the kernel memory. This speeds up the process of recording information in a log when your computer stops unexpectedly. You must have a pagefile large enough to accommodate
your kernel memory. The page file must be on the boot volume. Otherwise, a memory dump cannot be created. Before we provide any suggestions, I would like to confirm few things:

1. Could you please elaborate the statement: I got a very strange thing my Surface Pro Memory Dump when I turn on it everytime, but It don't happen if I just reboot after turn on?
   
2. Are you getting blue screen while booting or while using Windows?
   
3. Which version of Windows 10 are you using?
   

Meanwhile you can try the steps provided in the article: Bug
Check 0x9F: DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE (based on the dump files analyzation).



We await your reply.

Regards,