What is a dump file?

A dump file, also known as a memory dump or crash dump, is a file that contains a snapshot of the memory of a computer system at a particular point in time. This file is typically created when a system experiences a critical error, such as a blue screen of death on Windows, and is used by developers and system administrators to diagnose and troubleshoot issues.

Dump files can be analyzed using debugging tools to identify the root cause of the crash or error. They may contain information such as the state of the system's memory, registers, and stack at the time of the crash, as well as details about the process or driver that triggered the error.

There are different types of dump files, including minidump files (smaller and more concise) and full memory dump files (larger and more comprehensive). The type of dump file generated can be configured in the system settings.

Overall, dump files are valuable for diagnosing software and hardware issues, helping to ensure the stability and reliability of computer systems.