Specify an Alternate Debugging Utility (Windows NT/2000/XP)

Registry Guide for Windows
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Registry tweaks, tricks & hacks to optimize, enhance and secure Microsoft Windows.

Specify an Alternate Debugging Utility (Windows NT/2000/XP)
Category: Home > Windows > Accessories > Dr Watson

This tweak can be easily applied using WinGuides Tweak Manager.
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By default Windows uses Dr Watson as the debugger when a system crash occurs. This setting allows you to specify an alternate utility such as Visual Studio or Norton CrashGuard.

Open your registry and find the key below.

Create a new String value, or modify the existing value called 'Debugger' using the settings below.

Exit your registry, you may need to restart or log out of Windows for the change to take effect.


(Default)	REG_SZ	(value not set)
Debugger	REG_SZ	"drwtsn32 -p %ld -e %ld -g"


	HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug

Settings:

System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\AeDebug]
Name: Debugger
Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value: Filename

Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. We cannot guarantee that problems resulting from modifications to the registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your own risk.

Last Modified: March 27, 2002

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