Troubleshooting Application Crashes on Windows

Introduction:
Application crashes can be frustrating for users and can cause disruption to their work. As a Windows Systems Engineer, it is essential to understand the causes of application crashes and how to troubleshoot them effectively. This article aims to provide a factual and instructive guide on troubleshooting application crashes in the Windows environment.

Examples:
1. Check Event Viewer Logs:

• Open Event Viewer by pressing Win + R, typing "eventvwr.msc," and pressing Enter.


• Navigate to Windows Logs > Application.


• Look for any Error or Warning events related to the crashed application.


• Note down the Event ID and other relevant details for further investigation.

2. Use Windows Reliability Monitor:

• Press Win + R, type "perfmon /rel," and press Enter.


• The Reliability Monitor will display a graph showing application crashes and other system issues.


• Click on any specific day to view detailed information about the crashes.


• Use this information to identify patterns or common factors causing the crashes.

3. Analyze Crash Dump Files:

• Enable crash dump creation by right-clicking on "This PC" and selecting Properties.


• Go to "Advanced system settings" > "Advanced" tab > "Startup and Recovery" > "Settings."


• Under "System failure," select "Write an event to the system log" and check "Automatically restart."


• When an application crashes, a crash dump file (.dmp) will be created in the %SystemRoot%\Minidump folder.


• Analyze the crash dump file using tools like WinDbg to identify the cause of the crash.

4. Update Drivers and Applications:

• Outdated or incompatible drivers can often lead to application crashes.


• Visit the manufacturer's website or use Windows Update to download and install the latest drivers.


• Similarly, keep the applications up to date by regularly checking for updates from their official websites.

Conclusion:
Troubleshooting application crashes on Windows requires a systematic approach to identify and resolve the underlying causes. By utilizing tools like Event Viewer, Reliability Monitor, and analyzing crash dump files, it becomes easier to pinpoint the root cause. Additionally, keeping drivers and applications up to date helps prevent crashes caused by compatibility issues. With these techniques, Windows Systems Engineers can effectively troubleshoot and resolve application crashes, minimizing disruptions for users.