How to use ProcDump to create crash dump files on Windows 10
Microsoft ProcDump tool lets you generate crash dump files to troubleshoot problems with apps, and here’s how to use the command-line tool on Windows 10.
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On Windows 10,ProcDumpis a command-line tool specifically designed to create crash dump files manually. A “dump” is a special file that contains (all or parts) of the data loaded in memory at the time dump was triggered. Usually, you would use this file for analysis to determine the root of a problem with an app or the OS.
AlthoughWindows 10can create crash dumps files automatically when it encounters an error that it cannot handle, sometimes you may still need to generate these files manually. For example, if you are a developer and you are testing a new application. Or when an app is not responding or constantly crashing, and you need to send the details to the software vendor support to investigate the issue.
Whatever the reason might be, the Microsoft ProcDump tool is a nifty tool you can use in Command Prompt to create a crash dump file in many different ways, including generating a minidump file using the app or process name or process ID. You can also use the tool to create multiple dumps at different intervals automatically. Or you can specify other criteria, such as when the process reaches a specific processor usage, the app is unresponsive, and more.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to use the Microsoft ProcDump tool to generate dump files manually on your device.
How to install ProcDump on Windows 10
To install the ProcDump command-line tool on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you can use ProcDump with Command Prompt to create dumps files on Windows 10.
How to use ProcDump on Windows 10
The ProcDump tool includes many options to record and create dump files. In the steps below, we will show you a bunch of examples to create a dump file for a specific application and different scenarios, including when a process is unresponsive, crashes, uses a significant amount of processor resources, and more.
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To get started with the ProcDump tool, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the dump file will be generated in the ProcDump folder.
Create multiple minidumps manually
To use ProcDump to create multiple minidump files on Windows 10, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the tool will create (in this case) five dump files 15 seconds apart from one another.
Create minidumps based on processor usage
To write a dump file after the app system usage reaches a specific threshold, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the command will monitor the application, and when it exceeds the processor usage for the time you specified, then a dump file will be generated.
Create minidumps for unresponsive process
To create a minidump as soon as a process is unresponsive, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, a dump file will be written to the ProcDump folder when the application becomes unresponsive.
Create minidump during launch of a process
To launch an app, keep monitoring it, and write a dump file when an exception occurs, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the tool will launch and monitor the app, and when it crashes, it will create a dump file in the folder location you specified.
Activate Postmortem Debugger to create full dump automatically
You can also register the tool as a Postmortem Debugger to allow ProcDump to monitor and automatically write a full dump when one or more processes crash. Here’s how:
Once you complete the steps, the ProcDump tool will monitor the system, and it will create dump files whenever an application crashes.
We are focusing only on some basic examples. You can always run the
command to review all the available options.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
