How to Create Live Kernel Dump File in Windows 11

This post describes steps one can take to create live kernel dump file in Windows 11.

Windows kernel live dump allows you to gather data to trouble shoot an abnormal situation while the computer continue operate. It captures consistent snapshot of kernel memory and saves it to a dump file for further research.

Kernel live dump reduces downtime when compared to a bug check for “non-fatal” but high-impact failures and hangs. It is also used when it is possible to recover the OS to a known good state.

For example, a hardware reset of a subsystem, such as video/display, USB3 or Wi-Fi can allow those systems to return to a known good state, with minimal user impact.

Starting with Windows 11 build 25197, one can now create live kernel dumps from the Task Manager with few clicks.

How to create live kernel dump in Windows 11

As described above, Windows kernel live dump allows you to gather data to trouble shoot an abnormal situation while the computer continue operate.

Below is how to create live kernel dump in Windows 11 with Task Manager.

Open Task Manager or press the keyboard shortcut: CTRL + SHIFT + Esc

Once Task Manager is opened, Click on the Details tab.

Then right click on an empty area in Details pane and select Create live kernel dump file.

Choose Full live kernel dump or Kernel stacks dump for the file dump you want to create

When you do that, you should see a Dumping kernel dialog showing you the location of the dump file.

Click OK to close window. Click on Open file location to open File Explorer to the dump file’s location. 

That should do it!

Conclusion:

This post showed you how to create live kernel dump in Windows 11. If you find any error above or have something to add, please use the comment form below.