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What is WinDbg?

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WinDbg is the latest version of WinDbg with more modern visuals, faster windows, a full-fledged scripting experience, built with the extensible debugger data model front and center.

Note

Formerly released as WinDbg Preview in the Microsoft Store, WinDbg leverages the same underlying engine as WinDbg (Classic) and supports all the same commands, extensions, and workflows.

Main screen in debugger.

General features

  • Connection setup and recall - Recent targets and session configurations are saved. They can be quickly restarted from the file menu.

    Screen shot of main screen in debugger.

  • Dark theme - Go to File > Settings to enable the dark theme.

    Screen shot showing dark theme.

  • Keyboard navigation - Use Ctrl+Tab to easily navigate between windows with just your keyboard.

    Screen shot showing ctrl tab menu.

  • Dump file processor detection - Autodetects processor architecture for easier managed debugging.

  • Performance improvements - Tool windows load asynchronously and can be canceled. When you run a command, WinDbg can stop the loading of your locals, watch, or other windows.

Start debugging view

  • Integrated Time Travel Debugging (TTD) - Use the "Record with Time Travel Debugging" checkbox when launching or attaching to a process. WinDbg will set up TTD, start recording, and open the trace afterwards.

    For more information, see Time Travel Debugging - Overview.

    Screen shot showing process record menu with a notepad process being seleced for recording.

  • Launch App packages - Debug your universal app or background task in a single click.

    For more information, see Launch App Package.

    Launch App Package Applications tab showing cal in the search box with three apps listed.

  • Attach to a process - The new attach view provides a detailed view of running processes, easier configuration, and search support.

    Attach to a process dialog.

Improved tool windows

  • Command - The command window has improved DML support, text highlighting, search (including Regex).

    Screen shot showing columns highlighted in yellow.

  • Source - The source code window provides syntax highlighting and other general improvements similar to most modern text editors.

    Screen shot of source code windows in debugger.

  • Disassembly - The disassembly window is also improved, the highlight of the current instruction remains where it's when you scroll.

    Disassembly windows in Debugger.

  • Breakpoints - The breakpoints window shows all your current breakpoints, a one-click toggle, and a hit count.

    For more information, see Breakpoints.

    Breakpoint window in debugger.

  • Scripting - The new scripting window makes developing JavaScript and NatVis extensions easier, with error highlighting and IntelliSense.

    For more information, see WinDbg - Scripting.

    Screen shot of scripting menu in debugger showing intellisense.

  • Data model - The model window provides an expandable and browsable version of dx and dx -g, letting you create powerful tables on-top of your NatVis, JavaScript, and LINQ queries.

    For more information, see WinDbg - Data model.

    Screen shot of data model menu in debugger.

  • Locals and watch - The locals and watch windows are both based off the data model that is used by the dx command. This means they benefit from the same features as other data model windows.

  • Memory - The memory window has highlighting and improved scrolling.

  • Logs - This is an under the covers log of the WinDbg internals. It can be viewed for troubleshooting or to monitor long running commands.

Providing feedback

Your feedback helps our team guide WinDbg's development and prioritize features.

To report any bugs or suggest a new feature, you can follow the feedback button in the ribbon to go to the GitHub page where you can file a new issue.

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