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PowerShell — read CrashControl settings

Read the main Windows crash-dump configuration values without changing them, useful when a real bugcheck is not producing the expected dump file.

Risk: LowReviewed: 2026-09-17
Get-ItemProperty 'HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CrashControl' | Select-Object CrashDumpEnabled,DumpFile,MinidumpDir,Overwrite

When to use it

Use after confirming that a blue-screen/bugcheck occurred and the expected Minidump or MEMORY.DMP is missing.

When not to use it

This is a read-only inspection. Do not copy registry-edit recipes from unrelated systems; dump type, page-file requirements and support context matter.

Primary reference

Reviewed source

Related authority records

Continue with the same failing system

These links share the same component or repair context; they are not generic keyword suggestions.

GuideNo memory dump after a Windows blue screen: verify capture settings before blaming the crash

A missing MEMORY.DMP or Minidump can reflect dump configuration, paging-file requirements, disk space or an incomplete write—not proof that no bugcheck occurred.

GuideFind Windows crash dump files: Minidump vs MEMORY.DMP and what each tells you

Locate the dump that matches a Windows stop error and verify dump configuration before assuming Windows failed to capture the crash.

ErrorEvent ID 41 — Kernel-Power: Windows restarted without a clean shutdown

Event ID 41 confirms an unexpected shutdown/restart occurred; it does not by itself name the failed component.

GuideUnexpected restart in Windows 11: use Event ID 41 as a timeline clue, not the diagnosis

Kernel-Power Event ID 41 confirms Windows detected an unclean restart; correlate its fields with bugcheck, power and recent-change evidence before deciding why.

GuideApplication keeps crashing in Windows 11: correlate Event ID 1000 with WER and the faulting module

Use repeated Application Error/WER records to identify the failing process, module and exception before reinstalling Windows or unrelated drivers.

GuideApplication not responding in Windows 11: inspect the wait chain before forcing repairs

A hung app may be waiting on another process, service or resource. Preserve the process and dependency evidence before reinstalling Windows or killing unrelated tasks.