Where Is the Windows Full Memory Dump (MEMORY.DMP)?
Full MEMORY.DMP lands in the Windows folder for complete dumps, unlike Minidump files. Setting and size rules.
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Full memory dumps land as MEMORY.DMP directly in the Windows folder. That file appears only when the dump type calls for it: complete, kernel, automatic or active dumps. Small dumps go elsewhere entirely, into a Minidump folder with dated names.
The type selector lives in Startup and Recovery settings with a file field that relocates the output. Complete dumps demand a pagefile at least as large as RAM plus a megabyte, and the file matches memory size. Kernel dumps cap lower by architecture. Minidump posts cover the small-file sibling; this one covers the whole-machine file.
Where Windows Memory Dump stores this, by platform
C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP
Default for complete, kernel, automatic and active dump types; changeable in the Dump file field. Small dumps instead use Windows\Minidump with dated files. Complete needs pagefile sized to RAM plus 1MB; the file matches RAM size.
Frequently asked questions
How do I enable a full memory dump?
Open Startup and Recovery settings from Advanced system settings and choose Complete memory dump in Write debugging information. Confirm the dump path and reboot. Small dumps stay the default until changed.
Why is there no MEMORY.DMP after a crash?
The type is likely Small dump, which writes Minidump files instead. Undersized pagefiles also block complete dumps silently. Check the Startup and Recovery dialog for the active type and path.
Can I delete MEMORY.DMP safely?
Yes once debugging ends; it regenerates on the next matching crash. The file matches RAM size, so removal frees real gigabytes. Keep a copy when support cases reference the crash.
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