Setting Up Local Kernel Debugging of a Single Computer Manually

Debugging Tools for Windows supports local kernel debugging. This is kernel-mode debugging on a single computer. In other words, the debugger runs on the same computer that is being debugged. With local debugging, you can examine state, but not break into kernel mode processes that would cause the OS to stop running.

The local bcdedit option is available in Windows 8.0 and Windows Server 2012 and later.

Setting Up Local Kernel-Mode Debugging

Important

Before using bcdedit to change boot information you may need to temporarily suspend Windows security features such as BitLocker and Secure Boot on the test PC. You can re-enable Secure Boot once you’re done debugging and you’ve disabled kernel debugging on the local computer.

1. Open a Command Prompt window as Administrator. Enter bcdedit /debug on
2. If the computer is not already configured as the target of a debug transport, enter bcdedit /dbgsettings local
3. Reboot the computer.

Starting the Debugging Session

Using WinDbg

Open WinDbg as Administrator. On the File menu, choose Kernel Debug. In the Kernel Debugging dialog box, open the Local tab. Select OK.

You can also start a session with WinDbg by opening a Command Prompt window as Administrator and entering the following command:

windbg -kl

Using KD

Open a Command Prompt window as Administrator, and enter the following command:

kd -kl

See also

Local Kernel-Mode Debugging

Setting Up Kernel-Mode Debugging Manually