How to Clean Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump)
Location & Quick Verdict
C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP and C:\Windows\Minidump
If your PC ever experienced a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), Windows writes a massive kernel memory dump to C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP.
Why Kernel Minidumps, WER Archives & ETW Traces Fill Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump)
Whenever a hardware driver times out (TDR), a background service faults, or Windows Servicing installs a patch, the Windows Error Reporting (WER) pipeline and kernel crash handler write uncompressed memory snapshots (.dmp) and verbose text logs into C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP and C:\Windows\Minidump. A single full or kernel memory dump or LiveKernelReports WATCHDOG snapshot can consume 500 MB to 4 GB of disk space immediately.
Unless you are actively debugging a recurring Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with WinDbg right now, historical crash dumps and rotated CBS/DISM log archives inside C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP and C:\Windows\Minidump serve zero runtime purpose. Deleting Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump) safely reclaims 1.5 GB – 16.0 GB without affecting Windows stability or future error reporting.
# Inspect current disk footprint of Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump) (Read-Only)
$target = "C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP"
Get-ChildItem -Path $target -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum |
Select-Object Count, @{Name="SizeGB";Expression={[math]::Round($_.Sum / 1GB, 2)}}
Manual Cleaning Instructions
- 1 Open Windows Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files.
- 2 Check 'System error memory dump files' and 'System error minidump files'.
- 3 Click 'Remove files'.
Note: If Windows alerts that a file is in use or locked by a background process, close the associated task in Task Manager before deleting, or use SWEEPR Cleaner to release locked handles safely.
Sub-Folders & Cache Locations Breakdown for Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump)
Modern Windows applications and system services split their disk footprint across multiple sub-directories (`Cache_Data`, `Service Worker\CacheStorage`, `Code Cache`, `GPUCache`, and `Crashpad\reports`). Review which sub-folders inside Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump) are safe to purge and which files remain protected:
| Sub-Folder / Cache Location | Storage Role | Typical Footprint | Deletion Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP (*.dmp / *.hdmp / *.mdmp) | Uncompressed Kernel & User-Mode Memory Crash Dumps | 1.5 GB – 16.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\WER\ReportArchive | Queued & Archived Windows Error Reporting Bundles | 300 MB – 4.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| C:\Windows\Logs\CBS & DISM | Rotated Servicing & Component Store Text Logs | 250 MB – 3.5 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| Active Windows Drivers & Event Viewer Channels | Live System Services & Security Audit Configuration | Protected | 🔒 Protected — Never Touched |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump)?
Yes, 100% safe. 100% safe to delete once your system is stable, reclaiming up to 16 GB from a single file.
How much storage space will cleaning Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump) free up?
Users typically reclaim 1.5 GB – 16.0 GB on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems depending on update frequency and active cache retention in C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP and C:\Windows\Minidump.
Does Windows need the files in Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump) to boot or run properly?
No. Files inside C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP and C:\Windows\Minidump are strictly post-mortem diagnostic snapshots and historical logs written for troubleshooting. Windows never reads them during normal startup or runtime operation.
Where is Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump) located on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
It is stored at C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP and C:\Windows\Minidump. You can paste that path directly into the Windows Run dialog (Win + R) or File Explorer address bar to inspect it.
Manual File Explorer vs. 1-Click SWEEPR Cleanup
| Feature | Manual Deletion | SWEEPR Cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Locked File Handling | Fails on locked processes | Safe background release |
| Accidental Deletion Risk | Moderate (easy to delete wrong folder) | Zero (strict rules & hashes) |
| Safety Undo Rollback | None (Shift+Del is permanent) | 7-Day Automatic Rollback |
| Time Required | 10–20 minutes per app | < 60 seconds across 40+ areas |
Related Windows Cleanup Guides & Hidden Space Hogs
Clean Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump) Automatically
SWEEPR Cleaner safely clears Kernel Memory Dump & Minidump (C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP & Minidump) along with 40+ other hidden app folders and leftover files in one click—covering up to 5 devices (Windows, Mac, Android & iOS) with a 7-day undo safety net.