Windows Memory Dump Settings on Windows 11/10

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In Windows 11/10/eight, Microsoft includes a Retentiveness dump pick chosen Automatic Retentiveness Dump. This is the default option gear up in the operating system. Windows eleven/x introduced a new dump file blazon called Active Retentivity Dump.

For those, y'all don't know, on Windows 7 we have Minidump, Kernel Dump, and Consummate Memory Dump. You might be wondering why Microsoft chose to create this new Memory dump setting?

Well, according to Robert Simpkins, Senior Support Escalation Engineer, Automatic Retention Dump is to create support for "System Managed" page file configuration. The System Managed folio file configuration is responsible for managing the page file size – therefore it avoids over-sizing or under-sizing your page file. This choice is introduced mainly for PC'south that run SSD'due south, which tend to have a smaller size, but a huge amount of RAM.

Windows Memory Dump Settings

The main advantage of "Automatic Memory Dump" is that it will allow the Session Manager sub-system process to automatically allow it to reduce the Page file to a size smaller than the size of RAM. For those who don't know, Session Manager Subsystem is responsible for initializing the system environment and starting upwardly services and processes needed for users to log in. It basically sets upward the page files for virtual memory and starts up the winlogon.exe procedure.

If you lot want to change Automatic Retention Dump Settings here is how yous can do information technology. Press Win + Ten and click on Organisation. Next click on "Advanced Arrangement Settings".

Under First upward and Recovery, click on Settings.

There you can see a drop-down menu where information technology says "Write debugging information".

Here you tin select the pick you want. The options offered are:

No memory dumps
Small memory dump
Kernel memory dump
Complete memory dump
Automated memory dump. Added in Windows 8.
Active Retentiveness Dump. Added in Windows 10.

The location of the Memory Dump file is at %SystemRoot%\Retentivity.DMP.

If y'all are using SSD then it's best to leave it at "Automatic Memory Dump"; but if you are in need of a crash dump file then it'due south best to set it to "Small memory dump" as this way you tin can, if you wish, send it to someone to take a look at.

TIP: You tin can analyze Windows Memory Dump .dmp files with WhoCrashed.

Increase Page file size to create a complete retentivity dump

In some cases we may need to increment the page file size to more than that of the RAM, to fit a complete memory dump. In such cases, we can create a registry key under

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Organization\CurrentControlSet\Command\CrashControl

called "LastCrashTime".

This will automatically increase the size of the page file. To reduce information technology, subsequently, you can just delete the key.

Windows 10 introduced a new dump file type called Active Memory Dump. Information technology contains only the essentials and is, therefore, smaller in size.

Read: How to manually create a Crash Dump file in Windows 10.

Disable automatic deletion of retentivity dumps on low disk infinite

Windows volition automatically delete dump files on depression disk space. But if you wish to disable automated deletion of retentivity dumps on low disk space then exercise this,

Open System Properties > Advanced tab > Startup and Recovery settings.

Nether Organization failure, select Disable automatic deletion of retentiveness dumps when deejay infinite is low option, click OK and get out.

Related reads:

Physical Retention Limits in Crash Dump files
Configure Windows to create Crash Dump Files on Blueish Screen
Command the number of Memory Dump Files, Windows creates and saves.

Shyam aka "Captain Jack" is a Microsoft MVP alumnus and a Windows Enthusiast with an involvement in Advanced Windows troubleshooting. Suggestions made and opinions expressed by him here are his personal one'south and non of his electric current employers. He blogs at captaindbg.com.