Windows Vista: Dump Files

When your computer crashes it creates what is called a 'dump file', which is a file that contains the contents of your computer's RAM. This file can be used to diagnose and troubleshoot a system failure by a trained professional who understands the contents of it.

To most people these files are a nuisance because of the amount of disk space they can consume. These files can also be a security risk because they can potentially contain sensitive information, such as passwords stored in the computer's memory.

If you want to disable the dump file option, follow the instructions below:

• Open the Start menu, and select Control Panel folder.
  
• Double-click the System control panel.
• Click the 'Advanced system settings' link in the left pane.
• Press the Settings... button in the 'Startup and Recovery' section.
• In the 'System failure' section, in the 'Write debugging information' drop-down menu select '(none)'
• Press the OK buttons when done.