WinDBG, I dont know which one to choose!

[Kunj29]

Hi folks, how are y'all doing?

I have a quick question. I am trying to download winDBG from Download and Install Debugging Tools for Windows and I'm confused on which one to choose because there are lots of choices! I'm running Windows 7 home premium 64 bit.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Ztruker]

You need these:

Install the Windows 7 Version of Debugging Tools for Windows

There are certain rare circumstances in which you might need to download the Windows 7 version of Debugging Tools for Windows. For example, if you need SOS.dll for version 1 of the .NET Framework, you can get it from the Windows 7 version of the tools but not from the Windows 8 version. The Windows 7 version of Debugging Tools for Windows is included in the Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7.
Note: When you install the Windows SDK, but sure to select Debugging Tools in the installation wizard.

• Download the Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7

Windows Symbol Packages

When applications, libraries, or drivers are linked, the linker that creates the .exe, .sys, and .dll files also creates a number of additional files known as symbol files. Symbol files hold a variety of data which are not actually needed when running the binaries, but which could be very useful in the debugging process. In most debugging scenarios, you can get symbols as needed from Microsoft’s symbol server, and you do not need to download an entire symbol package. However, in some scenarios, you might want to download the entire set of symbols for a particular version of Windows.
If you want the entire set of symbols for Windows Server 2012 RC, Windows 8 Release Preview, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000, then you can download a symbol package and install it on your computer.

• Download Windows Symbol Packages

On the Symbol Packages link, download the symbols for any Windows version you want to be able to debug. This one for sure:


Download Windows Symbol Packages

Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012

Windows 8 Release Preview and Windows Server 2012 Release Candidate

Windows 8 Consumer Preview and Windows Server 8 Beta

Windows 8 Developer Preview and Windows Server Developer Preview

Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows 7 Service Pack 1 Symbols
These packages contain the full set of symbols required to debug the Windows 7 Service Pack 1.
Note: These packages also contain the full set of symbols required to debug Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1.

• Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x86 retail symbols, all languages(File size: 330 MB - Most customers want this package.)

 

[Kunj29]

Thanks for your reply. Can you please tell me which is best for BSOD? I want winDBG for BSOD.

 

[koolkat77]

You need these:

Install the Windows 7 Version of Debugging Tools for Windows

There are certain rare circumstances in which you might need to download the Windows 7 version of Debugging Tools for Windows. For example, if you need SOS.dll for version 1 of the .NET Framework, you can get it from the Windows 7 version of the tools but not from the Windows 8 version. The Windows 7 version of Debugging Tools for Windows is included in the Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7.
Note: When you install the Windows SDK, but sure to select Debugging Tools in the installation wizard.

• :ar: Download the Microsoft Windows SDK for Windows 7

This is the one you should use as you're using windows 7.

 

[Kunj29]

Thanks! One last question, what does SDK stands for?

 

[koolkat77]

Software Development Kit?

 

[karlsnooks]

Kunj,
You do NOT want to download and install the full SDK.

You only need the standalone component for debugging minidumps.


Please visit this iink and work your way thru so that you only get the standalone version.

Download and Install Debugging Tools for Windows

I used that link.

 

[Kunj29]

Karlsnooks, thanks for your reply and I will download the standalone version of that.

Thanks everyone for your advice!