Quick Answer
procdump.exe is a legitimate Sysinternals utility. It monitors Windows processes and creates crash dumps or memory dumps for debugging, and can trigger dumps on events like unhandled exceptions or CPU spikes.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Typically downloaded from the official Sysinternals site and located in a Sysinternals folder (e.g., C:\Sysinternals\ProcDump)
Warning
Dumps may contain sensitive data
ProcDump runs under user consent; ensure you understand what a memory dump includes and how to handle it securely
Can I Disable?
YES
Delete the executable or remove it from scripts; no background service, only active when invoked or scripted
What is procdump.exe?
procdump.exe is a command-line utility from Microsoft Sysinternals used to capture crash dumps, memory dumps, and other diagnostic data from running processes. It can monitor a process and create dumps automatically when certain events occur, such as unhandled exceptions, high CPU, or specific time intervals.
ProcDump attaches to a target process and writes memory dumps to disk according to the selected options (-e, -ma, -s, -t). This helps developers analyze crashes or performance issues without attaching a debugger.
Quick Fact: ProcDump was created as part of Sysinternals by Mark Russinovich to enable on-demand crash dumps for debugging across Windows platforms.
Types of Dump Triggers
- Crash Dump: Triggered by an unhandled exception or crash in the target process
- Exception Dump: Dumps when the process encounters a first-chance exception if configured with -e
- CPU-Threshold Dump: Dumps when CPU usage exceeds a defined threshold over a period (-t option)
- Time-Triggered Dump: Dumps at regular intervals to profile long-running processes
- Interactive Dump: Attach to a running process and optionally dump on demand (-i)
- Full vs Minidump: Full memory dump (-ma) versus minidump options (-s or -m) depending on the flags
Is procdump.exe Safe?
Yes, procdump.exe is safe when obtained from the official Sysinternals site and used as intended for debugging and diagnostics.
Is procdump.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real procdump.exe is not a virus. However, malware may imitate the name. Always verify the file path and digital signature.
How to Tell if procdump.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Sysinternals\ProcDump\procdump.exe or the Sysinternals folder you extracted. Any procdump.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show a signer like "Mark Russinovich" or "Microsoft Corporation".
- Resource Usage: Normal operation uses minimal CPU/memory when idle. Unusually high usage without a dump action is suspicious.
- Behavior: ProcDump should only run when invoked by a user or script. Continuous background activity without a trigger may indicate abuse.
Red Flags: If procdump.exe is located outside expected folders (like Temp or AppData), runs without being invoked, has no valid signature, or dumps continuously without a trigger, quarantine and scan your system.
Why Is procdump.exe Running on My PC?
ProcDump may be running because a session or script is actively capturing a crash dump or monitoring a process for diagnostic events.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Dump Criteria: You or an automation script started proc dump to capture a dump when a condition is met (crash, high CPU, or time-based trigger).
- Debugging in Progress: Developers or IT staff are diagnosing a suspected crash with live data from a running process.
- Startup or Maintenance Task: ProcDump may be invoked by a startup script or maintenance task to gather dumps on a schedule.
- Automated Diagnostics: Monitoring systems trigger procdump dumps as part of an automated health-check or incident response workflow.
- Test or QA Harness: In testing environments, procdump is used to collect representative dumps for analysis after tests fail.
Can I Disable or Remove procdump.exe?
Yes, you can disable procdump.exe. If you don’t need on-demand dumps, remove the executable or disable scripts that invoke it.
How to Stop procdump.exe
- End Active Dumping Process: If running in a console, press Ctrl+C to stop the current dump operation.
- Close Scheduling/Automation: Disable or delete the scheduled task or script that launches procdump.
- Delete Executable: Remove C:\Sysinternals\ProcDump\procdump.exe from disk if you no longer need it.
- Prevent Startup: If launched at startup, remove references from startup folders or Task Scheduler.
- Audit & Replace: If required for debugging, replace with a controlled, time-limited usage policy and document usage.
How to Uninstall ProcDump
- ✔ Delete the procdump.exe executable from C:\Sysinternals\ProcDump and any copied folders
- ✔ If part of a Sysinternals suite, run the installer cleanup or uninstall via Programs & Features
- ✔ Review and remove any scripts or tasks that reference procdump to prevent reinstallation
Common Problems: Dump Issues and Solutions
If procdump.exe isn’t producing dumps or behaves unexpectedly, here are common causes and actionable fixes.
Common Causes & Solutions
- License prompt blocks dumping: Run procdump with -accepteula to automatically accept the EULA and proceed with dumps.
- Incorrect target or missing process: Specify the correct process name or PID and ensure it exists when running procdump.
- Dump size too large or too small: Choose appropriate dump type (-ma for full memory, -m for minidump) and redirect output to a dumps folder.
- Insufficient permissions: Run the command prompt as Administrator or grant necessary privileges to access the target process.
- Dumps not created due to anti-debug/AV: Temporarily disable security software or run in an environment where legitimate dump creation is allowed, then re-enable protection.
- Target high-frequency events not triggering: Adjust event thresholds (-t for CPU, -e for exceptions) or test with a known crash in a controlled app.
Quick Fixes:
1. Open an elevated command prompt and run: procdump.exe -accepteula -e -ma notepad.exe to capture a crash dump.
2. Create a dumps folder and direct outputs there using -o path like -ma -e -f "Crash" -t 200 -o C:\Dumps
3. Ensure the target is running before attaching the tool; use -w to wait for the process to start if needed
4. Check for proper permissions and run as Administrator if access is denied
5. Update to the latest Sysinternals suite to ensure compatibility with your Windows version
Frequently Asked Questions
Is procdump.exe a virus?
No. The legitimate procdump.exe from Microsoft Sysinternals is a debugging tool. Always download from the official Sysinternals site and verify the signature; store it in a Sysinternals folder like C:\Sysinternals\ProcDump.
How do I use procdump to capture a crash dump?
Run procdump with a crash-dump flag, for example: procdump.exe -accepteula -e -ma notepad.exe. This creates a full memory crash dump for the Notepad process when it crashes.
Can procdump dump 64-bit processes on 64-bit Windows?
Yes. ProcDump supports both 32- and 64-bit processes on 64-bit Windows and can capture dumps for any compatible process.
Do I need admin rights to use procdump?
Often yes. You should run procdump from an elevated (Admin) Command Prompt to attach to processes and write dumps, especially for protected system processes.
Where are the dump files stored and how can I control their location?
Dump files are created in the current working directory by default. Use a path with the -o option or change directory to a dumps folder before running procdump.
Where can I download procdump safely?
Download from the official Sysinternals/Microsoft site. After download, extract to a dedicated folder like C:\Sysinternals\ProcDump and run procdump.exe from that location.