What is WinDbg?

  • Article

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.

Screenshot of the main screen in WinDbg debugger.

General features

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

    Screenshot of the start debugging menu in WinDbg debugger.

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

    Screenshot of WinDbg debugger with dark theme enabled.

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

    Screenshot demonstrating the Ctrl+Tab menu in WinDbg debugger.

  • 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.

    Screenshot of the process record menu in WinDbg with a Notepad process selected for recording.

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

    For more information, see Launch App Package.

    Screenshot of the Launch App Package Applications tab in WinDbg with 'cal' in the search box and three apps listed.

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

    Screenshot of the Attach to a Process dialog in WinDbg debugger.

Improved tool windows

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

    Screenshot of the command window in WinDbg with columns highlighted in yellow.

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

    Screenshot of the source code window in WinDbg debugger with syntax highlighting.

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

    Screenshot of the disassembly window in WinDbg debugger.

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

    For more information, see Breakpoints.

    Screenshot of the breakpoint window in WinDbg debugger showing current breakpoints.

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

    For more information, see WinDbg - Scripting.

    Screenshot of the scripting window in WinDbg debugger with IntelliSense and error highlighting.

  • 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.

    Screenshot of the data model window in WinDbg debugger with expandable and browsable features.

  • 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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