BlueScreenView.exe

What is BlueScreenView.exe?

BlueScreenView.exe is a compact NirSoft utility that scans Windows crash dump files produced after a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) and presents a concise, readable list of stop codes, faulting drivers, and loaded modules. It helps technicians quickly interpret crash details without debugging tools.

BluescreenView reads MINIDUMP and MEMORY.DMP files from Windows dump locations and displays stop codes, faulting modules, and involved drivers in a single window for rapid analysis.

Types of BluescreenView Processes

• Dump Reader: Parses Windows crash dump files (MINIDUMP, MEMORY.DMP) and displays results
• Report Exporter: Exports crash details to text, HTML, or CSV formats
• UI Viewer: Presents parsed data in a sortable list with stop codes and modules

Is bluescreenview.exe Safe?

Yes, bluescreenview.exe is safe when downloaded from NirSoft's official site. It does not modify system settings and is designed merely to read dump files for analysis.

Is bluescreenview.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real bluescreenview.exe is NOT a virus. Malware may imitate the name. Verify path and signature before running.

How to Tell if bluescreenview.exe is Legitimate or Malware

1. File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\NirSoft\BlueScreenView\BlueScreenView.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\NirSoft\BlueScreenView\BlueScreenView.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
2. Digital Signature: Right-click BlueScreenView.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show an Authenticode signature from NirSoft.
3. Hash Verification: Compute SHA256 of the file and compare with the official hash published by NirSoft.
4. Dump File Source: Ensure you are loading genuine Windows dump files from C:\Windows\Minidump or C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP and not random executables.

Why Is BluescreenView Running on My PC?

BluescreenView runs when you intend to analyze Windows crash dumps or when you have previously opened a dump file. It does not monitor in the background; it only operates when invoked.

Reasons it's running:

• Manual dump analysis: You opened BluescreenView to inspect a BSOD memory dump file (MINIDUMP or MEMORY.DMP)
• Report generation: You used the export feature to generate a crash report for sharing with IT
• Diagnostic workflow: IT or support personnel run BluescreenView as part of a BSOD diagnostic workflow
• Post-crash triage: You are triaging a recent crash and loading the latest dump to identify faulty drivers
• Low-resource utility: BluescreenView is a lightweight tool that does not require background services, so it only runs when launched

Can I Disable or Remove BluescreenView?

Yes, you can disable BluescreenView. It has no persistent background services; close the window or uninstall if you no longer need it.

How to Stop BluescreenView

• Close Application: Close BluescreenView via the window close button or File > Exit
• End Task: Open Task Manager, locate bluescreenview.exe, right-click > End Task
• Prevent Startup: If included in Startup, disable BluescreenView in Task Manager > Startup
• Uninstall: Windows Settings > Apps > NirSoft BluescreenView > Uninstall
• Delete Residual Files: Remove the BluescreenView folder under C:\Program Files\NirSoft\BlueScreenView and any extracted archives

How to Uninstall BluescreenView

• ✔ Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & Features > BluescreenView > Uninstall
• ✔ Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program > BluescreenView > Uninstall
• ✔ Restart your PC if prompted

Common Problems: Difficulty Analyzing Crash Dumps

If BluescreenView isn’t showing dump details or cannot load dumps, try these targeted checks.

Common Causes & Solutions

• Dump files missing or not created: Confirm dumps exist in C:\Windows\Minidump or that MEMORY.DMP is present. Enable dump creation via System Properties > Advanced > Startup and Recovery.
• BluescreenView cannot open a dump: Make sure BluescreenView is running with appropriate permissions and the dump file is accessible. Try running BluescreenView as Administrator.
• Wrong dump version: Ensure you are loading a supported dump type (MINIDUMP or MEMORY.DMP) and use the latest BluescreenView version that supports newer Windows builds.
• Corrupted dump file: If a dump is corrupted, try a different dump from a previous BSOD or recover the dump from backups if available.
• Export fails: Check write permissions on the target folder and ensure BluescreenView has rights to create files (try exporting to Desktop).
• Antivirus false positives: Some AV tools may block the executable. Verify the signature and temporarily disable AV during first run if necessary, then add an exception.

Related Processes