How to Read Minidump Files in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever faced the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) on your Windows 11 PC and wondered what caused it? Every time Windows crashes, it generates a small diagnostic file called a Minidump file (.dmp). These files contain valuable information that can help you identify the cause of the crash — from faulty drivers to corrupted system files.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain how to read Minidump files in Windows 11 step-by-step, what tools you need, and how to interpret the data to fix system errors effectively.

Table of Contents

💡 What Is a Minidump File in Windows 11?

A Minidump file is a lightweight crash report automatically created when Windows encounters a critical system error (like a BSOD). It captures essential debugging details such as:

The stop code and error message
The driver or process that caused the crash
System and kernel information
A stack trace of what was running during the crash

These files are stored in a specific folder, usually:

C:\Windows\Minidump

Understanding these files can help pinpoint exactly why your system crashed — whether it’s due to faulty RAM, incompatible drivers, or software conflicts.

🧠 Why Should You Read Minidump Files?

Here’s why analyzing Minidump files is useful:

🧩 Identify faulty drivers or software causing crashes
⚙️ Diagnose hardware issues like bad memory or overheating
🔍 Troubleshoot recurring BSOD errors quickly
💡 Prevent future crashes by addressing root causes

Even if you’re not a developer, Windows tools make reading Minidumps relatively straightforward.

📂 Step 1: Locate Your Minidump Files

Before analyzing, you need to find where Windows stores these crash reports.

How to Find Minidump Files:

Open File Explorer (Windows + E).
Navigate to:
```
C:\Windows\Minidump
```
You’ll see files like:
```
Mini010125-01.dmp
Mini102524-02.dmp
```
Right-click any file → Properties → check the date/time to match the latest crash.

If the folder is empty, you may need to enable crash dumps.

⚙️ Step 2: Enable Minidump File Creation (If Not Already)

Sometimes Windows doesn’t create dumps by default. Let’s fix that.

Enable via System Settings:

Press Windows + R, type sysdm.cpl, and hit Enter.
Go to the Advanced tab → under Startup and Recovery, click Settings.
Under Write debugging information, select:
```
Small memory dump (256 KB)
```
Ensure the Small dump directory path is:
```
%SystemRoot%\Minidump
```
Click OK and restart your PC.

Now Windows will automatically save Minidump files after each crash.

🧰 Step 3: Install a Tool to Read Minidump Files

To open .dmp files, you need a debugging tool. You have two main options:

Option 1: BlueScreenView (Beginner-Friendly)

BlueScreenView by NirSoft is a lightweight, no-install tool that reads dump files instantly.

Steps:

Download BlueScreenView from the official NirSoft website.
Extract and run the executable (BlueScreenView.exe).
The program will automatically scan your C:\Windows\Minidump folder.
You’ll see a list of crash dump files with details like:
- Bug Check String (error name)
- Bug Check Code
- Caused by Driver

✅ Pros: Simple interface, no installation needed
⚠️ Cons: Limited deep analysis

Option 2: WinDbg Preview (Advanced Users)

If you want in-depth technical analysis, use WinDbg Preview, Microsoft’s official debugger.

Steps to Install:

Open Microsoft Store.
Search for WinDbg Preview.
Click Install.

Once installed, you’re ready to open and analyze dump files.

🧩 Step 4: Open and Read a Minidump File Using WinDbg

Step-by-Step:

Launch WinDbg Preview (as Administrator).
Click File → Open dump file.
Browse to:
```
C:\Windows\Minidump
```
Select the latest .dmp file and click Open.
Wait for symbols to load (this may take a minute).

Once loaded, you’ll see a lot of text — don’t panic! The key is to find specific sections.

🧾 Step 5: Use Commands to Analyze the Crash

To interpret the crash report, type the following command into the WinDbg command window:

!analyze -v

Press Enter.

This generates a detailed report, including:

Bug Check Code and Name (e.g., DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL)
Probable Cause (e.g., nvlddmkm.sys → NVIDIA driver)
Process Name (e.g., chrome.exe)
Stack trace showing the crash chain

🔍 Step 6: Identify the Faulty Driver or Module

In the report, look for lines like:

MODULE_NAME: nvlddmkm
IMAGE_NAME: nvlddmkm.sys

Probably caused by: ntoskrnl.exe

If the file name points to a specific driver (like nvlddmkm.sys or rtwlane.sys), that’s your culprit.

You can Google the file name to identify which hardware or software it belongs to.

🧠 Step 7: Fix the Underlying Issue

Once you know what caused the crash, here’s how to fix it:

Cause Type	Common Fix
Outdated or corrupt driver	Update or reinstall the driver via Device Manager
Faulty RAM	Run Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
Overheating or hardware failure	Clean your PC and check cooling
Corrupted system files	Run `sfc /scannow` and `DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth`
Third-party antivirus conflict	Temporarily disable or uninstall antivirus software

🧮 Step 8: Save or Export the Analysis Report

If you’re working with IT support or forums, you can export your analysis:

In WinDbg:

Go to File → Save Workspace.
Or copy the analysis text (!analyze -v) and paste it into a text file.
Share it for troubleshooting assistance.

⚡ Alternative Tools to Read Minidump Files

If WinDbg feels too complex, here are easier alternatives:

Tool	Description	Best For
BlueScreenView	Reads and lists crash causes automatically	Beginners
WhoCrashed	Summarizes BSOD causes in plain English	Non-technical users
WinDbg Preview	Advanced Microsoft debugging tool	Power users/IT pros
DebugDiag	Diagnoses performance and crash issues	System admins

🧾 Example of a Minidump Analysis

Here’s a sample output from !analyze -v:

BugCheck 7E, {ffffffffc0000005, fffff80731b4c450, ffffc7016cc3a8a8, ffffc7016cc3a0b0}
Probably caused by : atikmdag.sys ( atikmdag+1c450 )

Interpretation:

Error Code: 0x0000007E → System Thread Exception Not Handled
Faulty Driver: atikmdag.sys → AMD Graphics Driver
Fix: Update or reinstall AMD GPU drivers.

🧩 Step 9: Check System Event Logs for More Clues

To get supporting details:

Press Windows + X → Event Viewer.
Navigate to:
```
Windows Logs → System
```
Look for Critical or Error events around the crash time.

Combine this info with your dump analysis for a complete picture.

🧰 Step 10: Prevent Future BSODs

Keep drivers and Windows updated
Avoid overclocking unless stable
Use reliable antivirus software
Regularly clean hardware (dust = overheating)
Create restore points before major changes

✅ Conclusion

Learning how to read Minidump files in Windows 11 helps you uncover the real reason behind system crashes. Whether you use BlueScreenView for quick analysis or WinDbg Preview for deeper insights, understanding these files can save hours of guesswork.

In short:

Locate .dmp files in C:\Windows\Minidump
Open with BlueScreenView or WinDbg
Run !analyze -v to find the cause
Fix faulty drivers or components accordingly

❓ FAQs About Reading Minidump Files in Windows 11

1. Where are Minidump files stored in Windows 11?

They’re located in C:\Windows\Minidump by default.

2. Can I delete Minidump files?

Yes, you can safely delete them to free space, but keep the latest ones for troubleshooting.

3. What’s the easiest tool to read dump files?

BlueScreenView is the simplest and most user-friendly option.

4. What if no Minidump files are created after a crash?

Enable dump creation under System Properties → Advanced → Startup and Recovery → Small memory dump (256 KB).

5. Do I need admin rights to read Minidump files?

Yes, especially when using WinDbg or accessing protected system folders.

🧭 Summary: Key Takeaways

Minidump files reveal what caused your Windows 11 crash.
Use BlueScreenView or WinDbg Preview to read .dmp files.
Run !analyze -v for detailed analysis.
Look for the “Caused by” line to find the problem driver or process.
Update, reinstall, or remove the faulty component to fix future issues.

By following this guide, you’ll be able to confidently analyze BSOD errors, diagnose problems faster, and keep your Windows 11 system stable and crash-free. 💻🔍