notmyfault.exe

NotMyFault Crash Utility

Application ProcessSafeDiagnostic/Test Utility

CPU Usage

1-15%

Memory

50-200 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\NotMyFault

Publisher

NotMyFault Project

Quick Answer

notmyfault.exe is a legitimate testing utility. It purposely triggers a system crash (BSOD) to generate crash dumps for debugging and QA; use only in controlled environments.

Is it a Virus?

✔ NO - Safe

Typically located in C:\\Program Files\\NotMyFault\\notmyfault.exe

Warning

Crash tool active

NotMyFault forces a kernel crash; ensure you have backups and a test environment

Can I Disable?

✔ YES

Close the UI or End Task in Task Manager when finished testing

What is notmyfault.exe?

notmyfault.exe is a purpose-built Windows utility designed to deliberately trigger a system crash (BSOD) to produce crash dumps for debugging and QA. It is used by developers and testers to validate crash-handling pipelines and driver stability. Use in controlled lab environments only.

The tool operates by invoking a kernel-mode bug check to crash the system, causing Windows to log a dump and restart. It runs as a small user-space launcher that coordinates a crash event with minimal UI interaction.

Quick Fact: NotMyFault provides a safe, repeatable way to reproduce kernel crashes for testing crash-dump workflows.

Types of NotMyFault Processes

Launcher Process: User-space UI or command-line launcher that initiates the crash event
Crash Trigger: Triggers the kernel crash via a bug check
Dump Writer: Captures and stores crash dump files for analysis
Cleanup/Logger: Records test metadata and cleans up temporary files after a run
Background Monitor: Optional helper process that ensures tests run in isolation
Support Utilities: Tools to configure dump settings and post-crash actions

Is notmyfault.exe Safe?

Yes, notmyfault.exe is safe when downloaded from trusted sources and used strictly for controlled crash testing in a lab environment.

Is notmyfault.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real notmyfault.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware authors can disguise as NotMyFault; verify the file location and signature.

How to Tell if notmyfault.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\NotMyFault\notmyfault.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\NotMyFault\notmyfault.exe. Any other path is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show a reputable publisher like "NotMyFault Project" or the official vendor.
Resource Usage: Normal operation uses minimal CPU until a test is launched; during a run, expect short spikes but not continuous heavy load.
Behavior: NotMyFault should initiate a test only when launched by a user or automation in a controlled environment. Unprompted crashes are a red flag.

Red Flags: If notmyfault.exe is found outside the NotMyFault folder, lacks a signature, runs without user interaction, or triggers crashes outside intended test windows, stop and scan for malware.

Why Is notmyfault.exe Running on My PC?

notmyfault.exe runs when you explicitly start a crash test or when a test harness schedules it. It exists to produce controlled crash dumps for debugging and driver testing.

Reasons it's running:

Active Crash Test: You're actively running a NotMyFault crash test to generate a dump for analysis.
Test Harness or Automation: A script or automation task has scheduled the crash event to occur at a specific time.
Background Monitoring: Some test setups run NotMyFault in the background to validate crash handling without user interaction.
Dump Collection Window: Windows is in a period where crash dumps are being generated and stored to a designated folder.
Lab/QA Environment: The tool is installed as part of a QA lab to verify crash-handling pipelines and driver stacks.

Can I Disable or Remove notmyfault.exe?

Yes, you can disable notmyfault.exe. Remove it from startup, stop any test harnesses, and uninstall if no longer needed.

How to Stop notmyfault.exe

Exit Application: If a UI is open, click Exit or Quit to stop further actions.
End Task: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find notmyfault.exe, right-click End Task
Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable NotMyFault entry
Stop Scheduled/Test Jobs: Disable any scheduled tasks or automation scripts that trigger NotMyFault
Uninstall: Programs and Features → NotMyFault → Uninstall

How to Uninstall NotMyFault

✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → NotMyFault → Uninstall
✔ If a manual folder remains, delete C:\Program Files\NotMyFault and C:\Program Files (x86)\NotMyFault
✔ Remove any related scheduled tasks or automation scripts from Task Scheduler

Common Problems: Crash Trigger and Dump Issues

If notmyfault.exe misbehaves, try these checks and fixes to stabilize test runs and ensure dumps are produced correctly.

Common Causes & Solutions

No crash dump generated: Ensure Windows crash dumps are configured (System Properties → Advanced → Startup and Recovery → Dump file) and run NotMyFault with appropriate admin rights.
Tool not launching: Run as Administrator or disable Controlled Folder Access if blocked by Defender; verify path integrity.
Unexpected system reboot after test: Disable automatic restart in Windows settings to capture the dump; ensure test environment has backups.
Bricked UI or crashes during load: Reinstall NotMyFault from a trusted source; ensure compatibility with your Windows version.
Dump location not writable: Check permissions on the designated dump folder and set an accessible path.
Antivirus false positives: Add NotMyFault to exclusions or temporarily disable scanning during tests with caution.

Quick Fixes:
1. Run NotMyFault as Administrator
2. Configure dump settings, ensure dump type is set to 'Complete' or as needed
3. Launch a small, controlled crash test and verify dump files appear
4. Check Event Viewer for crash logs
5. Disable antivirus temporarily if it blocks the tool in a safe lab

Frequently Asked Questions

Is notmyfault.exe safe to use?

Yes, when obtained from trusted sources and used in a controlled lab environment. Always back up data and work on non-production systems.

What is NotMyFault used for?

It's used to generate predictable kernel crashes to test crash-dump collection, driver robustness, and error handling workflows.

Can NotMyFault damage my system?

If used properly in a controlled environment, it should not damage hardware. However, it will crash the OS and should be used with backups and recovery plans.

How do I capture crash dumps with NotMyFault?

Configure Windows crash dumps (System Properties > Advanced > Startup and Recovery) and run NotMyFault to trigger a crash; dumps will be saved to the configured location.

Is NotMyFault compatible with Windows versions?

It supports recent Windows releases in test environments. Always check the official page for compatibility notes before use.

How do I uninstall NotMyFault?

Use Windows Settings > Apps > NotMyFault > Uninstall, or delete the program folder if you installed it manually and remove any scheduled tasks.