Crashes on Windows systems can often catch users off guard, leaving them puzzled about the underlying cause. Among the most frequent culprits are memory-related issues leading to the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). These can be instigated by a variety of factors like unstable memory, faulty RAM, mismatches in memory modules, or even driver-induced memory corruption.
Microsoft’s New Tool for Memory Diagnostics
To aid users in diagnosing these problems, Microsoft is rolling out a proactive feature called “Proactive Memory Diagnostics” for Windows 11. This tool, although not entirely new, will now be automatically suggested at startup after an unexpected system crash. Historically, Windows has included a Memory Diagnostics tool, but it required manual initiation. The new feature is set to debut with the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26220.6982 (Dev Channel) but will not be available on Arm64 systems, according to recent announcements.
Upon the next system reboot, the Memory Diagnostics scan will proceed, taking approximately five minutes before Windows loads. Its primary focus is on determining whether the system RAM is the root of the problem. This implementation aims to refine the understanding of which crash codes are genuinely linked to memory issues, treating all BSOD events as potential memory concerns to prompt the diagnostic scan.
Expanding Diagnostic Capabilities Across Windows Versions
As this feature matures, it will enhance users’ abilities to discern if crashes stem from memory problems. The traditional Windows Memory Diagnostics tool remains accessible in older Windows versions, including Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, and even Windows Vista. Users are presented with two choices: Restart now and check for problems, or Check for problems the next time I start my computer.
The immediate reboot option initiates the memory test before Windows loads, searching for memory-related issues. The alternative option schedules the memory check for the subsequent reboot.