Debugging Tools for Windows - Windows drivers

<!DOCTYPE html><html class="hasSidebar hasPageActions hasBreadcrumb conceptual has-default-focus theme-light" lang="en-us" dir="ltr" data-authenticated="false" data-auth-status-determined="false" data-target="docs" x-ms-format-detection="none"> <head> <meta charset="utf-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <meta property="og:title" content="Debugging Tools for Windows - Windows drivers" /> <meta property="og:type" content="website" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/debugger-download-tools" /><meta property="og:description" content="This page provides downloads for the Windows Debugging tools, such as WinDbg." /><meta property="og:image" content="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/media/open-graph-image.png" /> <meta property="og:image:alt" content="Microsoft Learn" /> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@MicrosoftLearn" /> <meta name="color-scheme" content="light dark"><meta name="adobe-target" content="true" /> <meta name="author" content="DOMARS" /> <meta name="breadcrumb_path" content="/windows-hardware/drivers/breadcrumbs/toc.json" /> <meta name="depot_name" content="Win.drivers" /> <meta name="description" content="This page provides downloads for the Windows Debugging tools, such as WinDbg." /> <meta name="document_id" content="162fe2fe-9216-f4c5-9f91-3df8776bb99e" /> <meta name="document_version_independent_id" content="013dbf6b-0790-9c11-24f4-dbf24d64401e" /> <meta name="feedback_help_link_type" content="get-help-at-qna" /> <meta name="feedback_help_link_url" content="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/tags/384/windows-hardware-performance" /> <meta name="feedback_product_url" content="https://support.microsoft.com/help/4021566/windows-10-send-feedback-to-microsoft-with-feedback-hub-app" /> <meta name="feedback_system" content="Standard" /> <meta name="git_commit_id" content="1c7a432f4b1e10a76ecab61d43d1f73ee526905b" /> <meta name="gitcommit" content="https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-driver-docs-pr/blob/1c7a432f4b1e10a76ecab61d43d1f73ee526905b/windows-driver-docs-pr/debugger/debugger-download-tools.md" /> <meta name="keywords" content="Windows Debugging Downloads" /> <meta name="keywords" content="WinDbg" /> <meta name="keywords" content="Download" /> <meta name="locale" content="en-us" /> <meta name="ms.author" content="domars" /> <meta name="ms.custom" content="UpdateFrequency3" /> <meta name="ms.date" content="12/20/2023" /> <meta name="ms.service" content="windows-hardware-driver-quality" /> <meta name="ms.subservice" content="debugger" /> <meta name="ms.topic" content="article" /> <meta name="original_content_git_url" content="https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-driver-docs-pr/blob/live/windows-driver-docs-pr/debugger/debugger-download-tools.md" /> <meta name="page_type" content="conceptual" /> <meta name="pdf_url_template" content="https://learn.microsoft.com/pdfstore/en-us/Win.drivers/{branchName}{pdfName}" /> <meta name="recommendations" content="true" /> <meta name="schema" content="Conceptual" /> <meta name="Search.Product" content="eADQiWindows 10XVcnh" /> <meta name="site_name" content="Docs" /> <meta name="toc_rel" content="toc.json" /> <meta name="uhfHeaderId" content="MSDocsHeader-Windows" /> <meta name="updated_at" content="2024-02-12 10:19 PM" /> <meta name="word_count" content="765" /> <meta name="persistent_id" content="62cef94e-e8f9-6122-f651-2a8597cd6740" /> <meta name="cmProducts" content="https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/bcbcbad5-4208-4783-8035-8481272c98b8" data-source="generated" /> <meta name="spProducts" content="https://authoring-docs-microsoft.poolparty.biz/devrel/43b2e5aa-8a6d-4de2-a252-692232e5edc8" data-source="generated" /> <meta name="scope" content="Drivers" /><meta name="github_feedback_content_git_url" content="https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-driver-docs/blob/staging/windows-driver-docs-pr/debugger/debugger-download-tools.md" /><link href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/debugger/debugger-download-tools" rel="canonical"><title>Debugging Tools for Windows - Windows drivers | Microsoft Learn</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/static/assets/0.4.028726178/styles/site-ltr.css"> <script id="msdocs-script"> var msDocs = {environment: { supportLevel: 'production', accessLevel: 'online', reviewFeatures: false, systemContent: true, azurePortalHostname: 'portal.azure.com', legacyHosting: false, siteName: 'learn', },data: { timeOrigin: Date.now(), contentLocale: 'en-us', contentDir: 'ltr', userLocale: 'en-us', userDir: 'ltr', pageTemplate: 'Conceptual', brand: '', context: {}, hasBinaryRating: true, feedbackHelpLinkType:'get-help-at-qna', feedbackHelpLinkUrl:'https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/tags/384/windows-hardware-performance', standardFeedback: true, showFeedbackReport: false, enableTutorialFeedback: false, feedbackSystem: 'Standard', feedbackGitHubRepo: '', feedbackProductUrl: 'https://support.microsoft.com/help/4021566/windows-10-send-feedback-to-microsoft-with-feedback-hub-app',extendBreadcrumb: false,isEditDisplayable: true, hideViewSource: false, hasPageActions: true, hasPrintButton: true, hasBookmark: true, hasShare: true, isPermissioned: false, isPrivateUnauthorized: false,hasRecommendations: true,contributors: [{ name: "DOMARS", url: "https://github.com/DOMARS" },{ name: "RAJU2529", url: "https://github.com/RAJU2529" },{ name: "erickfurukawa", url: "https://github.com/erickfurukawa" },{ name: "mhopkins-msft", url: "https://github.com/mhopkins-msft" },{ name: "aviviano", url: "https://github.com/aviviano" },{ name: "nitya", url: "https://github.com/nitya" },{ name: "garycentric", url: "https://github.com/garycentric" }],}, functions:{} }; </script><script src="https://wcpstatic.microsoft.com/mscc/lib/v2/wcp-consent.js"></script> <script src="https://js.monitor.azure.com/scripts/c/ms.jsll-4.min.js"></script><script src="/static/assets/0.4.028726178/global/deprecation.js"></script><link rel="preconnect" href="//mscom.demdex.net" crossorigin> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//target.microsoft.com"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//microsoftmscompoc.tt.omtrdc.net"> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="/static/third-party/adobe-target/at-js/2.9.0/at.js" integrity="sha384-1/viVM50hgc33O2gOgkWz3EjiD/Fy/ld1dKYXJRUyjNYVEjSUGcSN+iPiQF7e4cu" crossorigin="anonymous" id="adobe-target-script" type="application/javascript" /><script src="/static/assets/0.4.028726178/scripts/en-us/index-docs.js"></script></head> <body lang="en-us" dir="ltr"> <div class="header-holder has-default-focus"> <a href="#main" style="z-index: 1070" class="outline-color-text visually-hidden-until-focused position-fixed inner-focus focus-visible top-0 left-0 right-0 padding-xs text-align-center has-body-background" tabindex="1">Skip to main content</a><div hidden id="cookie-consent-holder" data-test-id="cookie-consent-container"></div> <div id="unsupported-browser" style=" background-color: white; color: black; padding: 16px; border-bottom: 1px solid grey;" hidden > <div style="max-width: 800px; margin: 0 auto;"> <p style="font-size: 24px">This browser is no longer supported.</p> <p style="font-size: 16px; margin-top: 16px;">Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.</p> <div style="margin-top: 12px;"> <a href="https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkID=2092881 " style=" background-color: #0078d4; border: 1px solid #0078d4; color: white; padding: 6px 12px; border-radius: 2px; display: inline-block; ">Download Microsoft Edge</a> <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/faq/internet-explorer-microsoft-edge" style=" background-color: white; padding: 6px 12px; border: 1px solid #505050; color: #171717; border-radius: 2px; display: inline-block; ">More info about Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge</a> </div> </div> </div>   <header id="ms--site-header" data-test-id="site-header-wrapper" role="banner" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/Organization"> <div id="ms--mobile-nav" class="site-header display-none-tablet padding-inline-none gap-none" data-bi-name="mobile-header" data-test-id="mobile-header"></div> <div id="ms--primary-nav" class="site-header display-none display-flex-tablet" data-bi-name="L1-header" data-test-id="primary-header"></div> <div id="ms--secondary-nav" class="site-header display-none display-flex-tablet" data-bi-name="L2-header" data-test-id="secondary-header"></div> </header><div id="content-header" class="content-header uhf-container has-padding has-default-focus border-bottom-none" data-bi-name="content-header"> <div class="content-header-controls margin-xxs margin-inline-sm-tablet"> <button type="button" class="contents-button button button-sm margin-right-xxs" data-bi-name="contents-expand" aria-haspopup="true" data-contents-button> <span class="icon"><span class="docon docon-menu" aria-hidden="true"></span></span> <span class="contents-expand-title">Table of contents</span> </button> <button type="button" class="ap-collapse-behavior ap-expanded button button-sm" data-bi-name="ap-collapse" aria-controls="action-panel"> <span class="icon"><span class="docon docon-exit-mode" aria-hidden="true"></span></span> <span>Exit focus mode</span> </button> </div> </div><div id="disclaimer-holder" class="has-overflow-hidden has-default-focus">  </div> </div> <div class="mainContainer uhf-container has-default-focus" data-bi-name="body"> <div class="columns has-large-gaps is-gapless-mobile "><div id="left-container" class="left-container is-hidden-mobile column is-one-third-tablet is-one-quarter-desktop"> <nav id="affixed-left-container" class="margin-top-sm-tablet position-sticky display-flex flex-direction-column" aria-label="Primary"></nav> </div> <section class="primary-holder column is-two-thirds-tablet is-three-quarters-desktop">  <div class="columns is-gapless-mobile has-large-gaps "><div id="main-column" class="column is-full is-8-desktop"> <main id="main" class="" role="main" data-bi-name="content" lang="en-us" dir="ltr"> <div id="article-header" class="background-color-body margin-top-sm-tablet margin-bottom-xs display-none-print"> <div class="display-flex align-items-center "><details id="article-header-breadcrumbs-overflow-popover" class="popover" data-for="article-header-breadcrumbs"> <summary class="button button-clear button-primary button-sm inner-focus" aria-label="All breadcrumbs"> <span class="icon"> <span class="docon docon-more"></span> </span> </summary> <div id="article-header-breadcrumbs-overflow" class="popover-content padding-none"> </div> </details> <bread-crumbs id="article-header-breadcrumbs" data-test-id="article-header-breadcrumbs" class="overflow-hidden flex-grow-1 margin-right-sm margin-right-md-tablet margin-right-lg-desktop margin-left-negative-xxs padding-left-xxs"></bread-crumbs><div id="article-header-page-actions" class="opacity-none margin-left-auto display-flex flex-wrap-no-wrap align-items-stretch"><a id="lang-link-tablet" class="button button-primary button-clear button-sm display-none display-inline-flex-tablet" title="Read in English" data-bi-name="language-toggle" data-read-in-link hidden> <span class="icon margin-none" aria-hidden="true" data-read-in-link-icon> <span class="docon docon-locale-globe"></span> </span> <span class="is-visually-hidden" data-read-in-link-text>Read in English</span> </a><button type="button" class="collection button button-clear button-sm button-primary display-none display-inline-flex-tablet" data-list-type="collection" data-bi-name="collection" title="Add to collection"> <span class="icon margin-none" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-circle-addition"></span> </span> <span class="collection-status is-visually-hidden">Save</span> </button><a data-contenteditbtn class="button button-clear button-sm text-decoration-none button-primary display-none display-inline-flex-tablet" aria-label="Edit" title="Edit This Document" data-bi-name="edit" href="https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-driver-docs/blob/staging/windows-driver-docs-pr/debugger/debugger-download-tools.md" data-original_content_git_url="https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-driver-docs-pr/blob/live/windows-driver-docs-pr/debugger/debugger-download-tools.md" data-original_content_git_url_template="{repo}/blob/{branch}/windows-driver-docs-pr/debugger/debugger-download-tools.md" data-pr_repo="" data-pr_branch=""> <span class="icon margin-none" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-edit-outline"></span> </span> </a> <details class="popover popover-right" id="article-header-page-actions-overflow"> <summary class="justify-content-flex-start button button-clear button-sm button-primary" aria-label="More actions" title="More actions"> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-more-vertical"></span> </span> </summary> <div class="popover-content padding-xs"><button data-page-action-item="overflow-mobile" type="button" class="justify-content-flex-start button-block button-sm has-inner-focus button button-clear display-none-tablet" data-bi-name="contents-expand" data-contents-button data-popover-close> <span class="icon"> <span class="docon docon-editor-list-bullet" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span><span class="contents-expand-title">Table of contents</span></button><a id="lang-link-overflow" class="justify-content-flex-start button-sm has-inner-focus button button-clear button-block display-none-tablet" title="Read in English" data-bi-name="language-toggle" data-page-action-item="overflow-mobile" data-check-hidden="true" data-read-in-link hidden > <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true" data-read-in-link-icon> <span class="docon docon-locale-globe"></span> </span> <span data-read-in-link-text>Read in English</span> </a><button type="button" class="collection justify-content-flex-start button button-clear button-sm has-inner-focus button-block display-none-tablet" data-list-type="collection" data-bi-name="collection" title="Save" data-page-action-item="overflow-mobile" data-check-hidden="true" data-popover-close> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-circle-addition"></span> </span> <span class="collection-status">Save</span> </button> <button type="button" class="collection justify-content-flex-start button button-clear button-sm has-inner-focus button-block display-none-tablet" data-list-type="plan" data-bi-name="plan" title="Add to Plan" data-page-action-item="overflow-mobile" data-check-hidden="true" data-popover-close hidden> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-circle-addition"></span> </span> <span class="plan-status">Add to Plan</span> </button><a data-contenteditbtn class="button button-clear button-block button-sm has-inner-focus justify-content-flex-start text-decoration-none display-none-tablet" aria-label="Edit" title="Edit This Document" data-bi-name="edit" href="https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-driver-docs/blob/staging/windows-driver-docs-pr/debugger/debugger-download-tools.md" data-original_content_git_url="https://github.com/MicrosoftDocs/windows-driver-docs-pr/blob/live/windows-driver-docs-pr/debugger/debugger-download-tools.md" data-original_content_git_url_template="{repo}/blob/{branch}/windows-driver-docs-pr/debugger/debugger-download-tools.md" data-pr_repo="" data-pr_branch=""> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-edit-outline"></span> </span> <span>Edit</span> </a><div aria-hidden="true" class="margin-none" data-page-action-item="overflow-all"></div> <hr class="display-none-tablet margin-bottom-xxs margin-top-xxs" /> <h4 class="font-size-sm padding-left-xxs">Share via</h4> <a class="button button-clear button-sm button-block has-inner-focus text-decoration-none justify-content-flex-start share-facebook" data-bi-name="facebook" data-page-action-item="overflow-all"> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-facebook-share font-size-md color-primary"></span> </span> <span class="margin-left-xxs">Facebook</span> </a> <a class="button button-clear button-sm has-inner-focus button-block text-decoration-none justify-content-flex-start share-twitter" data-bi-name="twitter" data-page-action-item="overflow-all"> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-xlogo-share font-size-xxs"></span> </span> <span class="margin-left-xxs">x.com</span> </a> <a class="button button-clear button-sm has-inner-focus button-block text-decoration-none justify-content-flex-start share-linkedin" data-bi-name="linkedin" data-page-action-item="overflow-all"> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-linked-in-logo font-size-sm color-primary"></span> </span> <span class="margin-left-xxs">LinkedIn</span> </a> <a class="button button-clear button-sm button-block has-inner-focus text-decoration-none justify-content-flex-start margin-bottom-xxs share-email" data-bi-name="email" data-page-action-item="overflow-all"> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-mail-message font-size-sm color-primary"></span> </span> <span class="margin-left-xxs">Email</span> </a><hr /> <button class="button button-block button-clear button-sm justify-content-flex-start has-inner-focus margin-top-xxs" title="Print" type="button" aria-label="Print" data-bi-name="print" data-page-action-item="overflow-all" data-popover-close data-print-page data-check-hidden="true"> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-print font-size-sm color-primary"></span> </span> <span class="margin-left-xxs">Print</span> </button> </div> </details> </div></div> </div> <div> <button type="button" class="border contents-button button button-clear button-sm is-hidden-tablet has-inner-focus" data-bi-name="contents-expand" data-contents-button hidden> <span class="icon"> <span class="docon docon-editor-list-bullet" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span><span class="contents-expand-title">Table of contents</span></button> </div> <div class="content "><h1 id="debugging-tools-for-windows">Debugging Tools for Windows</h1><div class="display-flex justify-content-space-between align-items-center flex-wrap-wrap page-metadata-container"> <div class="margin-right-xxs"> <ul class="metadata page-metadata" data-bi-name="page info" lang="en-us" dir="ltr"><li>Article</li><li class="visibility-hidden-visual-diff"><time class="is-invisible" data-article-date aria-label="Article review date" datetime="2023-12-20T08:00:00Z" data-article-date-source="calculated">12/20/2023</time> </li><li class="contributors-holder display-none-print"> <button aria-label="View all contributors" class="contributors-button link-button" data-bi-name="contributors" title="View all contributors">7 contributors</button> </li></ul> </div> <div id="user-feedback" class="margin-block-xxs display-none-print" data-hide-on-archived> <button id="user-feedback-button" data-test-id="conceptual-feedback-button" class="button button-sm button-clear button-primary" type="button" data-bi-name="user-feedback-button" data-user-feedback-button > <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-like"></span> </span> <span>Feedback</span> </button> </div></div><nav id="center-doc-outline" class="doc-outline is-hidden-desktop display-none-print margin-bottom-sm" data-bi-name="intopic toc" aria-label="In this article"> <h2 id="ms--in-this-article" class="title is-6 margin-block-xs">In this article</h2> </nav><p>In addition to the debuggers such as WinDbg, Debugging Tools for Windows includes a set of tools that are useful for debugging. For a complete list of the tools, see <a href="extra-tools" data-linktype="relative-path">Tools Included in Debugging Tools for Windows</a>.</p> <p>For directions on how to download and install just the Windows debugger, see <a href="./" data-linktype="relative-path">Download and install the WinDbg Windows debugger</a>.</p> <h2 id="install-debugging-tools-for-windows">Install Debugging Tools for Windows</h2> <p>You can get Debugging Tools for Windows as part of a development kit or as a standalone toolset:</p> <ul> <li><p><strong>As part of the WDK</strong></p> <p>Debugging Tools for Windows is included in the Windows Driver Kit (WDK). To get the WDK, see <a href="../download-the-wdk" data-linktype="relative-path">Download the Windows Driver Kit (WDK)</a>.</p> </li> <li><p><strong>As part of the Windows SDK</strong></p> <p>Debugging Tools for Windows is included in the Windows Software Development Kit (SDK). To download the installer or an ISO image, see <a href="https://developer.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windows-sdk" data-linktype="external">Windows SDK</a> on Windows Dev Center.</p> </li> <li><p><strong>As a standalone toolset</strong></p> <p>You can install the Debugging Tools for Windows alone, without the Windows SDK or WDK, by starting the installation of the Windows SDK and then selecting only <strong>Debugging Tools for Windows</strong> in the list of features to install (and clearing the selection of all other features). To download the installer or an ISO image, see <a href="https://developer.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/windows-10-sdk" data-linktype="external">Windows SDK</a> on Windows Dev Center.</p> </li> </ul> <h2 id="debugging-environments">Debugging environments</h2> <p>If your computer has Visual Studio and the WDK installed, then you have six available debugging environments. For descriptions of these environments, see <a href="debuggers-in-the-debugging-tools-for-windows-package" data-linktype="relative-path">Debugging Environments</a>.</p> <p>All of these debugging environments provide user interfaces for the same underlying debugging engine, which is implemented in the Windows Symbolic Debugger Engine (Dbgeng.dll). This debugging engine is also called the <em>Windows debugger</em>, and the six debugging environments are collectively called the <em>Windows debuggers</em>.</p> <div class="NOTE"> <p>Note</p> <p>Visual Studio includes its own debugging environment and debugging engine, which together are called the <em>Visual Studio debugger</em>. For information on debugging in Visual Studio, see <a href="/en-us/visualstudio/debugger/" data-linktype="absolute-path">Debugging in Visual Studio</a>. For debugging managed code, such as C#, using the Visual Studio debugger is often the easiest way to get started.</p> </div> <h2 id="windows-debuggers">Windows debuggers</h2> <p>The Windows debuggers can run on x86-based, x64-based, or Arm-based processors, and they can debug code that is running on those same architectures. Sometimes the debugger and the code being debugged run on the same computer, but other times the debugger and the code being debugged run on separate computers. In either case, the computer that is running the debugger is called the <em>host computer</em>, and the computer that is being debugged is called the <em>target computer</em>. The Windows debuggers support the following versions of Windows for both the host and target computers.</p> <h2 id="command-line-debuggers">Command line debuggers</h2> <p>There are four command line debuggers that are available for specialized environments and for those that prefer a command line interface.</p> <h3 id="kd-and-ntkd">KD and NTKD</h3> <p>KD and NTKD are identical in every way, except that NTKD spawns a new text window when it is started, whereas KD inherits the Command Prompt window from which it was invoked. For more information, see <a href="debugging-using-kd-and-ntkd" data-linktype="relative-path">Debugging Using KD and NTKD</a>.</p> <h3 id="cdb-and-ntsd">CDB and NTSD</h3> <p>Also available are the Microsoft Console Debugger (CDB) and Microsoft NT Symbolic Debugger (NTSD). For more information, see <a href="debugging-using-cdb-and-ntsd" data-linktype="relative-path">Debugging Using CDB and NTSD</a>.</p> <h2 id="symbols-and-symbol-files">Symbols and symbol files</h2> <p>Symbol files store a variety of data that are not required when running the executable binaries, but symbol files are very useful when debugging code. For more information about creating and using symbol files, see <a href="symbols" data-linktype="relative-path">Symbols for Windows debugging</a>.</p> <h2 id="blue-screens-and-crash-dump-files">Blue screens and crash dump files</h2> <p>If Windows stops working and displays a blue screen, the computer shuts down abruptly to protect itself from data loss and displays a bug check code. For more information, see <a href="bug-checks--blue-screens-" data-linktype="relative-path">Bug Checks (Blue Screens)</a>. You can analyze crash dump files that are created when Windows shuts down by using WinDbg and other Windows debuggers. For more information, see <a href="crash-dump-files" data-linktype="relative-path">Crash dump analysis using the Windows debuggers (WinDbg)</a>.</p> <h2 id="looking-for-the-debugging-tools-for-earlier-versions-of-windows">Looking for the debugging tools for earlier versions of Windows?</h2> <p>To download the debugger tools for previous versions of Windows, you need to download the Windows SDK for the version you are debugging from the <a href="https://developer.microsoft.com/windows/downloads/sdk-archive" data-linktype="external">Windows SDK and emulator archive</a>. In the installation wizard of the SDK, select <strong>Debugging Tools for Windows</strong>, and deselect all other components.</p> <h2 id="learn-more-about-the-debuggers">Learn more about the debuggers</h2> <p>Learn more about WinDbg in <a href="./" data-linktype="relative-path">Download and install the WinDbg Windows debugger</a>.</p> <p>To get started with Windows debugging, see <a href="getting-started-with-windows-debugging" data-linktype="relative-path">Getting Started with Windows Debugging</a>.</p> <p>For additional information related to Debugging Tools for Windows, see <a href="debugging-resources" data-linktype="relative-path">Debugging Resources</a>.</p> <h2 id="looking-for-other-downloads">Looking for other downloads?</h2> <ul> <li><a href="../download-the-wdk" data-linktype="relative-path">Download the Windows Driver Kit (WDK)</a></li> <li><a href="debugger-download-symbols" data-linktype="relative-path">Windows Symbol Packages</a></li> <li><a href="/en-us/windows-hardware/test/hlk/windows-hardware-lab-kit" data-linktype="absolute-path">Windows Hardware Lab Kit</a></li> <li><a href="/en-us/windows-hardware/get-started/adk-install" data-linktype="absolute-path">Download and install the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK)</a></li> <li><a href="https://insider.windows.com/" data-linktype="external">Windows Insider - Windows Preview builds</a></li> </ul> </div><div id="ms--inline-notifications" class="margin-block-xs" data-bi-name="inline-notification"></div><div id="assertive-live-region" role="alert" aria-live="assertive" class="visually-hidden" aria-relevant="additions" aria-atomic="true"></div> <div id="polite-live-region" role="status" aria-live="polite" class="visually-hidden" aria-relevant="additions" aria-atomic="true"></div>  </main> <section id="site-user-feedback-footer" class="font-size-sm margin-top-md" data-test-id="site-user-feedback-footer" data-bi-name="site-feedback-section"> <hr class="hr" /> <h2 id="feedback" class="title is-3">Feedback</h2> <div class="display-flex flex-wrap-wrap align-items-center"> <p class="font-weight-semibold margin-xxs margin-left-none">Was this page helpful?</p> <div class="buttons"> <button class="thumb-rating-button like button button-primary button-sm" data-test-id="footer-rating-yes" data-binary-rating-response="rating-yes" type="button" title="This article is helpful" data-bi-name="button-rating-yes" aria-pressed="false" > <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-like"></span> </span> <span>Yes</span> </button> <button class="thumb-rating-button dislike button button-primary button-sm" data-test-id="footer-rating-no" data-binary-rating-response="rating-no" type="button" title="This article is not helpful" data-bi-name="button-rating-no" aria-pressed="false" > <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-dislike"></span> </span> <span>No</span> </button> </div> </div><div class="display-flex flex-wrap-wrap margin-top-xxs"><div> <a data-bi-name="provide-feedback-cta" class="has-external-link-indicator" href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/4021566/windows-10-send-feedback-to-microsoft-with-feedback-hub-app" data-bi-name="product-feedback" > <span>Provide product feedback</span> </a><span class="margin-inline-xxs" aria-hidden="true">|</span></div><a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/tags/384/windows-hardware-performance" class="has-external-link-indicator" data-bi-name="get-help-at-qna"> <span>Get help at Microsoft Q&A</span> </a></div> </section> <aside id="ms--additional-resources-mobile" aria-label="Additional resources" class="display-none-desktop display-none-print" > <hr class="hr" hidden /> <h2 id="ms--additional-resources-mobile-heading" class="title is-3" hidden>Additional resources</h2> <section id="right-rail-recommendations-mobile" data-bi-name="recommendations" hidden></section> <section id="right-rail-training-mobile" data-bi-name="learning-resources-card" hidden></section> <section id="right-rail-events-mobile" data-bi-name="events-card" hidden></section> <section id="right-rail-qna-mobile" data-bi-name="qna-link-card" hidden></section> </aside><div class="border-top is-visible-interactive has-default-focus margin-top-sm "><footer id="footer-interactive" data-bi-name="footer" class="footer-layout"><div class="display-flex gap-xs flex-wrap-wrap is-full-height padding-right-lg-desktop"><a data-mscc-ic="false" class="locale-selector-link button button-sm button-clear flex-shrink-0" href="#" data-bi-name="select-locale"> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-world"></span> </span> <span class="local-selector-link-text"></span></a><div class="ccpa-privacy-link" data-ccpa-privacy-link hidden> <a href="https://aka.ms/yourcaliforniaprivacychoices" class="button button-sm button-clear flex-shrink-0" data-mscc-ic="false" data-bi-name="your-privacy-choices" > <svg role="img" aria-label="California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 30 14" xml:space="preserve" height="16" width="43" focusable="false" > <title>California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon</title> <path d="M7.4 12.8h6.8l3.1-11.6H7.4C4.2 1.2 1.6 3.8 1.6 7s2.6 5.8 5.8 5.8z" style="fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#fff"></path> <path d="M22.6 0H7.4c-3.9 0-7 3.1-7 7s3.1 7 7 7h15.2c3.9 0 7-3.1 7-7s-3.2-7-7-7zm-21 7c0-3.2 2.6-5.8 5.8-5.8h9.9l-3.1 11.6H7.4c-3.2 0-5.8-2.6-5.8-5.8z" style="fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#06f"></path> <path d="M24.6 4c.2.2.2.6 0 .8L22.5 7l2.2 2.2c.2.2.2.6 0 .8-.2.2-.6.2-.8 0l-2.2-2.2-2.2 2.2c-.2.2-.6.2-.8 0-.2-.2-.2-.6 0-.8L20.8 7l-2.2-2.2c-.2-.2-.2-.6 0-.8.2-.2.6-.2.8 0l2.2 2.2L23.8 4c.2-.2.6-.2.8 0z" style="fill:#fff"></path> <path d="M12.7 4.1c.2.2.3.6.1.8L8.6 9.8c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2-.2.1-.5.1-.7-.1L5.4 7.7c-.2-.2-.2-.6 0-.8.2-.2.6-.2.8 0L8 8.6l3.8-4.5c.2-.2.6-.2.9 0z" style="fill:#06f"></path> </svg> <span>Your Privacy Choices</span> </a> </div> <div class="flex-shrink-0"> <div class="dropdown has-caret-up"> <button class="dropdown-trigger button button-clear button-sm has-inner-focus theme-dropdown-trigger" aria-controls="theme-menu-interactive" aria-expanded="false" title="Theme" data-bi-name="theme"> <span class="icon"> <span class="docon docon-sun" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span> <span>Theme</span> <span class="icon expanded-indicator" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-chevron-down-light"></span> </span> </button> <div class="dropdown-menu" id="theme-menu-interactive" role="menu"> <ul class="theme-selector padding-xxs" role="none"> <li class="theme display-block" role="menuitem"> <button class="button button-clear button-sm theme-control button-block justify-content-flex-start" data-theme-to="light"> <span class="theme-light margin-right-xxs"> <span class="theme-selector-icon border display-inline-block has-body-background" aria-hidden="true"> <svg class="svg" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 22 14"> <rect width="22" height="14" class="has-fill-body-background" /> <rect x="5" y="5" width="12" height="4" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="8" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="11" y="2" width="3" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="1" y="1" width="2" height="2" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="10" width="7" height="2" rx="0.3" class="has-fill-primary" /> <rect x="19" y="1" width="2" height="2" rx="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> </svg> </span> </span> <span>Light</span> </button> </li> <li class="theme display-block" role="menuitem"> <button class="button button-clear button-sm theme-control button-block justify-content-flex-start" data-theme-to="dark"> <span class="theme-dark margin-right-xxs"> <span class="border theme-selector-icon display-inline-block has-body-background" aria-hidden="true"> <svg class="svg" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 22 14"> <rect width="22" height="14" class="has-fill-body-background" /> <rect x="5" y="5" width="12" height="4" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="8" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="11" y="2" width="3" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="1" y="1" width="2" height="2" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="10" width="7" height="2" rx="0.3" class="has-fill-primary" /> <rect x="19" y="1" width="2" height="2" rx="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> </svg> </span> </span> <span>Dark</span> </button> </li> <li class="theme display-block" role="menuitem"> <button class="button button-clear button-sm theme-control button-block justify-content-flex-start" data-theme-to="high-contrast"> <span class="theme-high-contrast margin-right-xxs"> <span class="border theme-selector-icon display-inline-block has-body-background" aria-hidden="true"> <svg class="svg" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 22 14"> <rect width="22" height="14" class="has-fill-body-background" /> <rect x="5" y="5" width="12" height="4" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="8" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="11" y="2" width="3" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="1" y="1" width="2" height="2" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="10" width="7" height="2" rx="0.3" class="has-fill-primary" /> <rect x="19" y="1" width="2" height="2" rx="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> </svg> </span> </span> <span>High contrast</span> </button> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <ul class="links" data-bi-name="footerlinks"> <li class="manage-cookies-holder" hidden></li><li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="/en-us/previous-versions/" data-bi-name="archivelink">Previous Versions</a></li> <li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-learn-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftLearnBlog" data-bi-name="bloglink">Blog</a></li> <li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="/en-us/contribute/" data-bi-name="contributorGuide">Contribute</a></li><li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=521839" data-bi-name="privacy">Privacy</a></li><li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="/en-us/legal/termsofuse" data-bi-name="termsofuse">Terms of Use</a></li><li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="https://www.microsoft.com/legal/intellectualproperty/Trademarks/" data-bi-name="trademarks">Trademarks</a></li><li>© Microsoft 2024</li> </ul> </footer></div></div><div id="ms--additional-resources" class="right-container column is-4-desktop display-none display-block-desktop" data-bi-name="pageactions" role="complementary" aria-label="Additional resources" > <div id="affixed-right-container" class="margin-top-sm-tablet" data-bi-name="right-column"> <h2 id="ms--additional-resources-heading" class="title is-6 margin-top-md" hidden>Additional resources</h2> <section id="right-rail-events" data-bi-name="events-card" hidden></section> <section id="right-rail-training" data-bi-name="learning-resources-card" hidden></section> <section id="right-rail-recommendations" data-bi-name="recommendations" hidden></section> <nav id="side-doc-outline" class="doc-outline" data-bi-name="intopic toc" aria-label="In this article"> <h3>In this article</h3> </nav> <section id="right-rail-qna" class="margin-top-xxs" data-bi-name="qna-link-card" hidden></section> </div> </div></div>  </section>   <aside id="interactive-container" class="interactive-container is-visible-interactive column has-body-background-dark "> </aside>  </div> </div>  <section class="border-top has-default-focus is-hidden-interactive margin-top-sm "><footer id="footer" data-bi-name="footer" class="footer-layout uhf-container has-padding" role="contentinfo"><div class="display-flex gap-xs flex-wrap-wrap is-full-height padding-right-lg-desktop"><a data-mscc-ic="false" class="locale-selector-link button button-sm button-clear flex-shrink-0" href="#" data-bi-name="select-locale"> <span class="icon" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-world"></span> </span> <span class="local-selector-link-text"></span></a><div class="ccpa-privacy-link" data-ccpa-privacy-link hidden> <a href="https://aka.ms/yourcaliforniaprivacychoices" class="button button-sm button-clear flex-shrink-0" data-mscc-ic="false" data-bi-name="your-privacy-choices" > <svg role="img" aria-label="California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 30 14" xml:space="preserve" height="16" width="43" focusable="false" > <title>California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon</title> <path d="M7.4 12.8h6.8l3.1-11.6H7.4C4.2 1.2 1.6 3.8 1.6 7s2.6 5.8 5.8 5.8z" style="fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#fff"></path> <path d="M22.6 0H7.4c-3.9 0-7 3.1-7 7s3.1 7 7 7h15.2c3.9 0 7-3.1 7-7s-3.2-7-7-7zm-21 7c0-3.2 2.6-5.8 5.8-5.8h9.9l-3.1 11.6H7.4c-3.2 0-5.8-2.6-5.8-5.8z" style="fill-rule:evenodd;clip-rule:evenodd;fill:#06f"></path> <path d="M24.6 4c.2.2.2.6 0 .8L22.5 7l2.2 2.2c.2.2.2.6 0 .8-.2.2-.6.2-.8 0l-2.2-2.2-2.2 2.2c-.2.2-.6.2-.8 0-.2-.2-.2-.6 0-.8L20.8 7l-2.2-2.2c-.2-.2-.2-.6 0-.8.2-.2.6-.2.8 0l2.2 2.2L23.8 4c.2-.2.6-.2.8 0z" style="fill:#fff"></path> <path d="M12.7 4.1c.2.2.3.6.1.8L8.6 9.8c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2-.2.1-.5.1-.7-.1L5.4 7.7c-.2-.2-.2-.6 0-.8.2-.2.6-.2.8 0L8 8.6l3.8-4.5c.2-.2.6-.2.9 0z" style="fill:#06f"></path> </svg> <span>Your Privacy Choices</span> </a> </div> <div class="flex-shrink-0"> <div class="dropdown has-caret-up"> <button class="dropdown-trigger button button-clear button-sm has-inner-focus theme-dropdown-trigger" aria-controls="theme-menu" aria-expanded="false" title="Theme" data-bi-name="theme"> <span class="icon"> <span class="docon docon-sun" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span> <span>Theme</span> <span class="icon expanded-indicator" aria-hidden="true"> <span class="docon docon-chevron-down-light"></span> </span> </button> <div class="dropdown-menu" id="theme-menu" role="menu"> <ul class="theme-selector padding-xxs" role="none"> <li class="theme display-block" role="menuitem"> <button class="button button-clear button-sm theme-control button-block justify-content-flex-start" data-theme-to="light"> <span class="theme-light margin-right-xxs"> <span class="theme-selector-icon border display-inline-block has-body-background" aria-hidden="true"> <svg class="svg" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 22 14"> <rect width="22" height="14" class="has-fill-body-background" /> <rect x="5" y="5" width="12" height="4" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="8" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="11" y="2" width="3" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="1" y="1" width="2" height="2" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="10" width="7" height="2" rx="0.3" class="has-fill-primary" /> <rect x="19" y="1" width="2" height="2" rx="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> </svg> </span> </span> <span>Light</span> </button> </li> <li class="theme display-block" role="menuitem"> <button class="button button-clear button-sm theme-control button-block justify-content-flex-start" data-theme-to="dark"> <span class="theme-dark margin-right-xxs"> <span class="border theme-selector-icon display-inline-block has-body-background" aria-hidden="true"> <svg class="svg" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 22 14"> <rect width="22" height="14" class="has-fill-body-background" /> <rect x="5" y="5" width="12" height="4" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="8" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="11" y="2" width="3" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="1" y="1" width="2" height="2" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="10" width="7" height="2" rx="0.3" class="has-fill-primary" /> <rect x="19" y="1" width="2" height="2" rx="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> </svg> </span> </span> <span>Dark</span> </button> </li> <li class="theme display-block" role="menuitem"> <button class="button button-clear button-sm theme-control button-block justify-content-flex-start" data-theme-to="high-contrast"> <span class="theme-high-contrast margin-right-xxs"> <span class="border theme-selector-icon display-inline-block has-body-background" aria-hidden="true"> <svg class="svg" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 22 14"> <rect width="22" height="14" class="has-fill-body-background" /> <rect x="5" y="5" width="12" height="4" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="8" y="2" width="2" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="11" y="2" width="3" height="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="1" y="1" width="2" height="2" class="has-fill-secondary" /> <rect x="5" y="10" width="7" height="2" rx="0.3" class="has-fill-primary" /> <rect x="19" y="1" width="2" height="2" rx="1" class="has-fill-secondary" /> </svg> </span> </span> <span>High contrast</span> </button> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <ul class="links" data-bi-name="footerlinks"> <li class="manage-cookies-holder" hidden></li><li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="/en-us/previous-versions/" data-bi-name="archivelink">Previous Versions</a></li> <li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-learn-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftLearnBlog" data-bi-name="bloglink">Blog</a></li> <li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="/en-us/contribute/" data-bi-name="contributorGuide">Contribute</a></li><li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=521839" data-bi-name="privacy">Privacy</a></li><li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="/en-us/legal/termsofuse" data-bi-name="termsofuse">Terms of Use</a></li><li><a class="external-link-indicator" data-mscc-ic="false" href="https://www.microsoft.com/legal/intellectualproperty/Trademarks/" data-bi-name="trademarks">Trademarks</a></li><li>© Microsoft 2024</li> </ul> </footer> </section> <div id="action-panel" role="region" aria-label="Action Panel" class="action-panel has-default-focus" tabindex="-1"></div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Debugging Tools for Windows - Windows drivers | Microsoft Learn